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Building Cities, Leadership & Legacy with Tech Queen On The Scene Selena Rodgers Dickerson

Updated: May 1

We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on an extraordinary woman in business, infrastructure, and leadership — Selena Rodgers Dickerson, founder and CEO of SARCOR. As our featured Tech Queen, Selena has shared her journey and deep insights on leadership, perseverance, and the importance of designing a better world for everyone.


Who Is Selena Rodgers Dickerson?


Selena Rodgers Dickerson is a visionary civil engineer and entrepreneur whose work has shaped Birmingham, Alabama’s streets, sidewalks, and community infrastructure. Through her company, SARCOR — an acronym for Solutions And Results Corporation — she has been helping cities, businesses, and organizations reimagine what accessibility, safety, and public spaces should look like.

Selena isn’t just running a business; she’s building better communities.



Building Through Delayed Gratification

Selena’s journey is a masterclass in delayed gratification — the idea that true, lasting success doesn’t happen overnight.

In a world obsessed with quick wins, Selena reminds us that the real fruit of our labor often comes through years of consistent, strategic action. Her message was clear:

"The ability to embrace delayed gratification is critical to achieving longevity, sustainability, and real impact."

Whether you're building a business, a career, or a movement, patience and perseverance are non-negotiable.





About Saccor LLC


Mrs. Selena Rodgers Dickerson is the president of SARCOR, LLC, an engineering design and project management firm, and Selene, LLC which specializes in tracking diverse spending and diverse business solutions. A Birmingham native, Selena is a graduate of Ramsay Alternative High School. She received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee State University and her Master in Business Administration in Project Management from Capella University. After getting laid off in 2010, Selena knew that she could either look for a job or look for contracts. She chose to search for her own contracts.


Through prayer, drive, ambition, and perseverance, Selena grew SARCOR from a one-person firm to a team of engineers and management professionals. Later, she launched other initiatives including Selene, LLC. From 2016 - 2019, Selena owned and operated The Installation at Uptown, LLC, a co-working incubator space in Birmingham’s prominent Uptown District. Now she seeks to help grow and develop other small businesses, raise awareness that minority firms are more than a minority participation goal, and increase the number of successful women and minority-owned businesses launched within the metro Birmingham ecosystem. Read more about her affiliations.





The Power of Infrastructure: More Than Concrete and Steel


One of the most eye-opening parts of Selena’s talk was her insider’s look at infrastructure.


She taught us that sidewalks, bike lanes, ADA-accessible ramps, and crosswalks aren't just conveniences — they’re lifelines for many people.These design choices can determine whether:

  • A mother with a stroller can navigate a city block safely.

  • A person with a disability can access essential services independently.

  • Cyclists can travel without fear of traffic dangers.

Selena emphasized that infrastructure is justice. It’s equity in action. And it’s up to us to advocate for it in all communities — not just downtown business districts or wealthier neighborhoods.

When our public spaces are designed inclusively, it signals that everyone matters.





Lessons in Leadership: Building a Stronger Team


Selena was refreshingly transparent about her evolution as a business leader.

Initially, like many entrepreneurs, she tried to wear all the hats — CEO, accountant, HR, marketing, and everything in between. But she realized that true growth required her to build a leadership team she could trust.

Here’s what she shared:

  • Fractional CFO: Hiring an experienced CFO on a part-time basis gave her the financial clarity needed to scale.

  • PEO Partnership: Working with a Professional Employer Organization allowed her to offer competitive benefits, ensuring her team felt valued and supported.

  • Delegation: She learned to release the "Superwoman" syndrome and lean into collaboration, freeing her to operate in her true zone of genius.

One key takeaway:

"Sustainable business isn’t just about working capital. It’s about working systems."




Recommended Reading: "Traction" by Gino Wickman

Selena highly recommended the book Traction by Gino Wickman, which introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).

She admitted that while she heard about this book early in her career, she wasn’t ready to receive it until she hit a crucial point in her business journey. Her encouragement to us?


"Don't beat yourself up if you aren't ready for certain information yet. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

If you're a founder, leader, or creative building anything from the ground up, Traction offers practical frameworks for getting organized, scaling effectively, and staying focused on the right priorities.





Powerful Quote to Remember

Selena left us with this impactful thought:

"We do every day what we truly believe. Everything else is just talk."

If you say you want to build wealth, create impact, or lead change — your daily habits need to reflect that belief. It's a call to audit your actions and make sure they align with your deepest values.



Build Your Better World

Inspired by Selena’s wisdom, here’s your April challenge:

  • Reflect on your daily actions. Are they in alignment with your dreams?

  • Take note of your city’s infrastructure. What improvements would create more accessibility and safety?

  • Begin advocating for inclusive design — even small changes in your neighborhood can make a big difference.

  • Build (or rebuild) your team with the future in mind.

  • Seek out resources like Traction to put better systems in place.

Success isn't magic. It’s design — just like streetscapes.


Connect with Selena Rodgers Dickerson

Want to thank Selena or learn more about her work?


Let’s show her some love for the knowledge, transparency, and fire she brought to our Tech Queen spotlight this month.


Thank You, Selena

Selena Rodgers Dickerson, you are the epitome of what it means to be a Tech Queen — a builder, a believer, and a beacon for change. Thank you for designing a better world and inspiring us to do the same. Here’s to building boldly — one sidewalk, one business, and one belief at a time.


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