For more information:
Deanna Townsend-Smith
Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity
dtownsend-smith@ncforum.org
919-781-6833 x114
RALEIGH, NC (March 17, 2025): The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity is excited to continue the legacy of Dr. Dudley E. Flood, its namesake, in the creation of a new resource outlining proactive steps we as a state can take to address current challenges to ensuring equity, access, and opportunity for students. This resource also highlights the historical connection to our nation’s current issues to ensure we do not repeat past mistakes. The proposed strategies offer how entities across the state can leverage key documents and recommendations to continue supporting the growth and well-being of students in light of the looming impacts of recent Executive Orders.
As we grapple with why, more than 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education, certain student populations remain systematically marginalized, recent executive orders intend to reverse the significant progress we have made toward educational equity. “In an ever-changing world, we must maintain the will to ensure that EVERY child has access to a quality education,” said Dr. Flood. As we face an uncertain future in education, we must create a path forward that aims to equip and empower every student to succeed.
Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith states, “In North Carolina, we must continue work collaboratively with newly elected officials to ensure that the arc of the moral universe bends towards equity and justice. The coming months will require continued reflection on the past to create a sustainable path forward. To act in the most impactful ways, we must answer questions about how we continue to best advocate and support the unique needs of every student.”
To learn more about the Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity and to see a list of events and resources please visit https://floodcenter.org/ and join us in the fight for equity, access, and opportunity in education.
For media inquiries, please contact Deanna Townsend-Smith at 919-781-6833 x114 or dtownsend-smith@ncforum.org.
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About the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity
The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity (Flood Center) serves as a hub to identify and connect organizations, networks, and leaders to address issues of equity, access, and opportunity in education across North Carolina. Leaning on the 70+ years of experience and wisdom of our namesake Dr. Dudley E. Flood, the Flood Center works collaboratively to take action toward addressing issues of systemic racism by advocating for structural changes in policy and practice to build an equitable education system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of NC’s diverse student population. Specifically, the Dudley Flood Center exists to create an equitable education system by addressing the systemic inequities plaguing the educational system that limit opportunity and access for PK – 12 students and educators. Follow the Flood Center on Facebook, LinkedIn and visit our website at https://floodcenter.org/.
About the Public School Forum of NC
Since 1986, the Public School Forum of North Carolina has been an indispensable and nonpartisan champion of public schools and the most trusted source in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. We bring together leaders from business, education and government to study education issues, develop ideas, seek consensus, and ultimately inform and shape education policy. We do that through research, policy work, innovative programs, advocacy, and continuing education for educators and policymakers. Follow us on Twitter @theNCForum and visit our website at www.ncforum.org.