North Carolina Leadership Program
Strengthening North Carolina’s Leadership Pipeline
WHAT?
WHAT WE ARE DOING
The NC Leadership Programs provide training, support, and community for superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, and aspiring district leaders across the state. Rooted in the historic 1973 Leadership School founded by Dr. Dudley Flood, this work continues a legacy of developing leaders who understand the intersection of history, policy, equity, and practice.
Through the Dudley Flood Center Ambassador Program and Superintendents of Color Program we provide support to current and aspiring superintendents.
Together, these programs build capacity, strengthen networks, and cultivate leaders who can create thriving, equitable school systems for every child.
SO WHAT?
WHY IT MATTERS
North Carolina’s districts rely on strong, well-supported leaders—yet leaders of color remain significantly underrepresented and often face inequitable pathways into and through leadership roles. These gaps impact recruitment, retention, and the overall health of school systems.
Our programs address these challenges by:
- Providing immersive historical learning that connects past civil rights work and desegregation efforts to current educational realities
- Offering specialized coaching grounded in real problems of practice
- Examining biases and systemic barriers that influence school culture and student experiences
- Creating supportive networks that reduce isolation and increase retention
- Developing innovative leadership approaches that dismantle inequitable practices and build cultures of belonging
When leaders are supported, prepared, and connected, districts thrive—and so do students.
NOW WHAT?
GET INVOLVED
The Flood Center continues to expand and strengthen the NC Leadership Programs to meet the needs of today’s education landscape.
