Mapping the Movement reminded us that collective impact requires more than shared concern. It requires partnership, coordination, and action. On May 13, 2026, The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity hosted the third session of Mapping the Movement for the year. Participants did more than identify priorities, they mapped relationships, surfaced policy asks, […]

There are moments in this work when the path forward is clear and moments when it is deliberately disrupted. April 2, 2026, was one of those “deliberately disrupted” days.  As a graduate from a Leandro district I know this fight for educational justice is one that must continue because there is a constitutional obligation that […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2026 | Raleigh, N.C. Dudley Flood Center for Educational Opportunity Announces $525,000 in Grant Funding from Burroughs Wellcome Fund and Conway/Holderness Family Fund Raleigh, NC — The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Opportunity is proud to announce the receipt of a combined $525,000 in grant funding over three years from the […]

Written by: the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity The education sector faced a climate of volatility in 2025. While districts continued to grapple with the lingering scars of the pandemic, they were simultaneously confronted with waves of challenges. Shifting federal policies, sudden cessation of funding, and immigration enforcement actions increased the volatility […]

Originally Published by Public Ed Works RALEIGH (December 17, 2025) – In North Carolina, we are watching a disturbing choice play out in real time: Playing charades over prioritizing the public educational needs of children.  At a moment when students and districts are struggling under the weight of unmet needs, legislative theatrics and overreach have […]

Originally published by Public Ed Works RALEIGH (December 10, 2025) – In December 2019, North Carolina made a bold and necessary commitment to focus statewide attention on the actions required to recruit and retain a diverse educator workforce. The Developing a Representative and Inclusive Vision for Education (DRIVE) Task Force, appointed by Governor Roy Cooper, produced a landmark […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 28, 2025 37 educators selected across 10 counties will deepen their practice, strengthen teacher leadership, and build a durable rural educator community Last year, the Public School Forum of North Carolina convened the third cohort of the Rural Teacher Leadership Network (RTLN)—a professional learning initiative that brings together diverse rural educators to […]

By KaLa Keaton and Rotimi Kukoyi | May 2025 We believe every child deserves an education that makes them feel seen and heard. We believe every child deserves the tools to fashion their own versions of success. We believe every child deserves to discover their passions in the classroom and find support in a constellation […]

Written by: Kimberly Jones and Deanna Townsend-Smith Published by WRAL Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 — As the General Assembly returns to decide disaster relief, it has the ability to uphold its constitutional responsibility by not sending additional monies to support private school vouchers and instead provide the needed funding to support and rebuild our public […]

The weaponization of resources, religion, books, race, and language contributes to the extreme polarization experienced in today’s society especially as it relates to public education. Within the PK – 20 education system, statutes, policies, and their implementation can promote opportunity or sustain systems of inequality. For example, book bans are being used to ensue culture […]

Deanna Townsend-Smith and Valerie Bridges, EducationNC July 22, 2024 The historical and current conditions that eliminate Black and Brown females from the workforce There is a “Hidden Figure” amongst you, yet have you seen them or even considered the lack of dignity, respect, and well-being they experience in the workplace every day? Across the United […]

MEDIA CONTACT:Chanté Russell, Public School Forum of NCcrussell@ncforum.org919-781-6833 ext. 103 Raleigh, NC (July 10, 2024) — Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. will be this year’s September 28, 2024 Color of Education Summit keynote.  One of the nation’s most prominent scholars, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. is an author, political commentator, public intellectual and passionate educator who examines […]

by Simona Goldin and Deanna Townsend-Smith, EducationNC June 26, 2024 “I just thought that was the most noble contribution you could make to human kind, was to be a teacher.” Dudley Flood “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” George Bernard Shaw Dudley E. Flood is not alone in his reverence for teachers, and […]

Using your voice as a tool for advocacy, action, and justice is central to the creation of this nation. It has been the foundation of every change movement. However, over the past two years, we have seen the repeal of some of the most influential civil rights legislation. This rollback of rights underscores the importance […]