City Transformation University | Blueprint Your City’s Future

Why we built this training

For 30 years, the City Transformation model has brought churches, city leaders, police, builders and investors together around one neighborhood plan, starting in West Dallas. City Transformation University turns that work into training anyone can use: 73 modules across 8 tracks, from crime and safety to Opportunity Zone finance and disaster relief.

It is a tool, not a theory. Each module gives investors, partners and local leaders the steps, templates and examples to improve their own community and widen economic opportunity for the people who already live there.

Track, module, class

The training is organized in three levels. Pick a track, work through its modules, and every module is taught in the same nine one-hour classes.

TrackA focus area8 tracks, from Crime & Safety to Disaster Relief & Recovery.

ModuleA complete topic73 modules across the tracks, each one a full course of its own.

ClassA one-hour session9 classes in every module. Class 9 is always capstone prep.

Every figure below is tied to a public record.

38%Drop in violent crimeWest Dallas Weed and Seed target area, by May 2009, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice program.

2008–2015Chair, Dallas Ethics Advisory CommissionRandy H. Skinner, appointed by unanimous City Council vote; Code of Ethics amendments adopted 2015.

2016 · 2019Appointed by the Governor of TexasOneStar Foundation Board, which administered the $100 million Rebuild Texas Fund after Hurricane Harvey.

2013Drug houses returned to the neighborhoodWith the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal, four forfeited gang houses on Life Avenue went to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

Sources: City of Dallas City Secretary; Office of the Texas Governor; U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas; West Dallas Weed and Seed 2008 program narrative.

What we hope to achieve

Scale the model

Take the City Transformation model to other communities through technology and local partnerships.

Capture 30 years of lessons

Document the lessons learned and best practices of the last 30 years, organized with the help of AI.

Encourage the Church

Show the body of Christ that change is possible when we work together.

Fund local ministry

Create a dedicated revenue stream for local ministries and missions.

Equip young leaders

Give young leaders proven practices and systems for impact in their own communities.

Invest without displacement

Encourage investors to back Opportunity Zone projects that are profitable and good for local partners and residents, without displacement: projects with an earthly and an eternal impact.

The people behind the West Dallas model

City Transformation University is built from the field work of its two co-founders: one who organized the city, faith and law-enforcement partners, and one who built the homes.

Randel H. Skinner

Co-founder

An urban specialist who organizes faith, business, city and law-enforcement partners around one neighborhood plan, and the author of the City Transformation curriculum.

Chair, Dallas Ethics Advisory Commission, 2008–2015, appointed by unanimous City Council vote
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the OneStar Foundation Board, 2016 and 2019
Served on the committee rebuilding Port Aransas after Hurricane Harvey
Executive director of the Greater Dallas Justice Revival, which launched the Homes for Our Neighbors campaign
Joined the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal in 2013 to return forfeited West Dallas drug houses to Habitat for Humanity
President of FEED 3 Inc.; former director of the National Conference on Crimes Against Children

Norman Henry