Bladen County Schools

Dana Mize, CTE Director for Bladen County Schools, recently graduated from the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the NC Rural Center’s flagship leadership development program. The three-month intensive training program equips existing and emerging leaders with the tools they need to tackle economic and community development issues facing rural North Carolina.

Schumata Brown, town manager of the Town of Maysville and 2014 REDI graduate, delivered the graduation address, sharing the importance of leading with love for the people and places you serve, even when it’s hard and when the resources aren’t there.
“When we care for our communities, when we really love every single person who shares that space with us, that’s how we show we love our community.” He continued, “Trust yourself, be strong and courageous, and above all, do everything with love. Because when you lead with love, you transform more than just policy, you transform people, you transform places, and you create legacy.”
“The 2025 REDI cohort reflects the strength and promise of rural North Carolina—leaders who show up with courage, creativity, and a deep love for their communities,” said Olaunda Green, director of leadership training for the NC Rural Center. “We are honored to walk alongside them as they develop their leadership, expand their impact, and help shape a more vibrant future for rural communities across the state.”

Now in its 36th year, REDI has trained more than 1,250 leaders across the state. As a graduate of REDI, Mize, now joins an extensive alumni network that spans all of North Carolina’s 100 counties and includes graduates from the Rural Center’s other leadership training program, Homegrown Leaders. Many of the Center’s leadership alumni are active in state and local government and philanthropic, nonprofit, and small-business sectors, as well as in faith and community-based organizations.

"Congratulations to this year's class of REDI graduates for investing in yourselves and your communities through this valuable training," said Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the NC Rural Center. "Rural North Carolina needs leaders like you willing to look at challenges in a new way, and we know you have many successes ahead of you."
To learn more about how the NC Rural Center is developing and supporting rural leaders across the state, visit ncruralcenter.org.

About the NC Rural Center
Since 1987, the NC Rural Center has worked to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. The Rural Center serves the state's 78 rural counties, with a special focus on people with low-to-moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.