Rachel L. Proctor was elected as the 22nd Mayor of the City of DeSoto, TX in February 2021 in a Special Election—stepping into leadership at a time marked by a global pandemic and the devastation of Winter Storm Uri. In 2025, she made history again by winning one of the most competitive mayoral races in DeSoto’s history. In a crowded field of five candidates, she secured a decisive victory with over 54% of the vote—eliminating the need for a runoff and affirming the community’s confidence in her leadership.

 

As a Texas-bred entrepreneur, Rachel L. Proctor is revolutionizing the way people lead in business and public service. From day one, she initiated progress by listening, cultivating relationships, and collaborating to find workable solutions for the complex challenges facing her city.

 

That same year, she created the DeSoto COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster). The DeSoto COAD is a membership-based group of independent voluntary organizations who may assist residents by providing donations, volunteer, financial, spiritual, and emotional/physiological support during a disaster or emergency event. 

 

It is the effort of the DeSoto COAD to assist residents with local resources already operating within the City to ensure quick aid to those in need.  

Mayor Proctor has reached out to both the public and the business community by hosting special events designed to foster greater engagement which include:

 

• Move with the Mayor Health and Wellness Events

• The Mayors Summer Reading Club 

• Mayors Internship Program which provides paid internships to high school and college students and provides them with meaningful work experience and mentorship within the City of DeSoto

• First Ladies Brunch in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• Student Ambassador Program which allows students from DeSoto schools to conduct the Pledges and serve at City Council meetings

• Able to Work Initiative designed to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month

 

Mayor Proctor holds a number of leadership roles and affiliations both locally and nationally:

• African American Mayors Association Board of Trustees (2023-24)

• Regional Transportation Council – Transportation Policy Body for the North Central Texas Council of Governments

• Star Transit Board Member

• Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition Board Member

• Metroplex Mayors Association Member 

• Mayors Against Illegal Guns Alliance

• Best Southwest Partnership Executive Board Member

• Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger Member

 

Ms. Proctor is the Owner and Administrative Director of the Neighborhood Christian Learning Center of Dallas, Inc. NCLC of Dallas has been owned and operated by Rachel’s family for over 30 years. The center is Nationally Accredited through the National Accreditation Commission. NCLCD has served as a partner campus for Dallas ISD’s School Readiness Initiative for nearly two decades.

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Through her community involvement, Rachel recognized that there was a lack of go-to healthy food options in DeSoto for people to enjoy past the Southern region of Dallas. In conversations with community members, it was clear that people were looking for healthier food options that were closer to home. Having been a guest at Salata locations for years, as well as having a passion for health and wellness in general, putting faith into action, becoming a Salata franchisee was natural fit. 

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As a life-long entrepreneur and consummate community advocate, Rachel is excited about the first of three location’s which came to market in 2024. The first location made Salata history by achieving the highest-grossing grand opening in 2024 and the third-highest grand opening in Salata's history.

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Community service is at the heart of everything Rachel does. Her love for her alma mater, DeSoto High School, fueled her to launch a non-profit called EMERGE Leadership, Inc. (ELI) which helps female, first-generation college students navigate the journey from high school to college through creative programming and scholarship opportunities. To date, ELI has provided young women with scholarships totaling nearly $25,000 since its inception in 2013 and also provides students with laptops and other technology to use to further their college education.

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She has been recognized by the:

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•    Dallas Business Journal as an inductee in the 2016 "Top 40 Under 40" Class​

•    Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) 2025 Dr. Robert E. (R. E.) Price Political Award Recipient

​•    2025 Beacon of Excellence Honoree presented by the University of Texas at Arlington to celebrate contributions to the community and the University

•    2025 Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year by the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. ✨

•    Southwestern Region Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year at the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. 78th Regional Conference

​•    Credit Union of Texas "Living Color of Collin County" Black History Month Event Awardee

•    2023 COSIGN of the Year Award presented by COSIGN Magazine 

•    Rachel is a 2015 DeSoto High School Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee

•    2024 NFL Alumni Association Tackle Obesity Award

•    2024 North Texas Disability Chamber Rick Grady Public Service Award

•    2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Leadership Award from the Grand Prairie NAACP

•    She is a recipient of the 27th Annual Distinguished African-American Alumni Award presented by the University of Texas at Arlington African American Alumni Chapter

•    UT Arlington School of Business 2023 Mavs 100 which recognizes the top fastest growing businesses among UTA Alumni

•    Potter House Dallas Legends & Lillie’s “2023 Enriching Her Community: Woman of the Year” Award

•    Find a Way Foundation “Outstanding Leadership and Community Support” Award at the 2023 Bosses Brunch for Lupus 

•    Jenny Beauty Supply Community Leader Award of Excellence

•    Girlfriends Ministries "Heart of the Community Award"

•    The Prayer Lady Ministries International 2023 Della Award

•    2023 Elevation NOW… The Gathering “Inspire to Elevate” Award

•    9th Annual Elite News 2022 Women of Wisdom Award Recipient 

•    2022 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. CISA - Celebrating Individuals in Service Award

•    2022 Woman in History Award by the Old Chisholm Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

•    Greater Grace Temple Church 2022 Golden Warrior Award

​•    Virtuous Woman Community Leader Award presented by the Faith Filled Woman of Christ

•    JL Turner Legal Association 2018 Hon. Cleo Steele Committed Mentor Award

•    National Council of Negro Women's 2018 Community Leadership Award

•    Steed Society Female Success Factor Award naming her as one of the “Top 25 Women of Dallas” for 2014

•    Mabel Chandler Distinguished Award from the Elite News for her service to Dallas County

•    South Dallas Business & Professional Women's Club Ombudswoman Award for her contributions to youth

•    2015 “Best Elected Official” in the Focus Daily News Readers Choice Awards

•    2015 Community Service Award by the Old Chisholm Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

•    Lancaster, Texas Chamber of Commerce as a leader to look out for in their “Top 40 Under Forty” 2013 Class

 

Rachel is an Ordained Minister and hosts annual women's luncheons and retreats. Her signature event, Morsels and Mentorship, serves as a safe space that empowers women with faith and strategies they can implement daily to grow in faith, life, love and business.  Rachel is a two-time published author.

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She is also a member of the New Golden Voices Choir at the DeSoto Senior Center. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.