The CAAPCO Group, incorporated in January 1997, is the first organization of its kind in this region. CAAPCO is not just an organization, it is also a concept. CAAPCO is a coalition of a number of professional and community organizations that have similar objectives. The collective membership of CAAPCO’s sponsoring organizations exceeds 7,000 members.

The CAAPCO concept began on July 22, 1995, when representatives from thirteen African-American professional and community organizations met to discuss forming a community coalition of those groups. The representatives of the groups felt that Dallas and each of their respective groups could benefit by the formation of this coalition. The groups felt that this coalition could serve a very useful purpose to our community, as well as to each of the respective organizations, socially, professionally and economically. Over the next seventeen months, these groups held several follow-up retreats to discuss what would be the purposes and objectives of this coalition. During this time, several other organizations were identified that the representatives felt should be included in this endeavor. After finalizing its objectives, plans and mission statement, the sponsoring organizations, which then numbered over twenty-five, approved the group’s initial Bylaws and initial Articles of Incorporations. Hence came the birth of the CAAPCO Group. The group has identified its principal purposes as follows:

1. to provide community service through the collective talents, skills and resources of the sponsoring professional and community organizations;
2. to develop learning and business opportunities through networking among professional and community organizations; and
3. to respond to economic, social and other issues.

When they became members of their respective organizations, the members of CAAPCO’s founding organizations demonstrated a commitment to community service, including youth programs, educational forums and economic empowerment. The CAAPCO concept allows these founding organizations to take this commitment to the next level. More specifically, by pooling together the collective resources of each of the founding organizations, CAAPCO makes a greater impact on the North Texas community. The premise of The CAAPCO Group is that the success of community activities and programs can only be heightened if all CAAPCO groups and supporters join hands to advance a common cause – giving back to the community. In addition to enhancing the providing of community service, CAAPCO’s mission includes assisting with programs designed to enhance the economic and employment opportunities available to minorities. CAAPCO strives to stimulate among all of its founding organizations cross-support for each other’s activities.