Supporting Delta Leadership
Many of the 252 counties and parishes that make up the Delta region are characterized by high poverty, high unemployment levels, low educational attainment, and a loss of skilled labor. A corps of innovative leaders is needed to turn the tide in the Delta region and help it to compete in the world compete.
According to Dr. John L. Blackburn of the University of Alabama, an expert on leadership development: "A good community is comprised of more than one generation, embraces transcending values that esteem each citizen, and creates a sense of oneness where individuals set aside personal gain, benefit or goals for the sake of the group."
To address this issue, the Delta Regional Authority supports two leadership development programs: the Delta Leadership Institute and the Delta Leadership Network. The Delta Leadership Institute organizes the Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy, a year-long leadership development program
for leaders that prepares them to collaborate and address the
most-pressing issues of the Delta region. Each of the eight governors and the federal co-chairman nominate five people per year for the program,
resulting in an annual class of 45 Delta leaders. These are leaders who
stay in touch with each other, sharing best practices and solutions to
common problems.
The first class of the Delta Leadership Institute met in 2005. The eighth class of the Delta Leadership Institute is currently in session through June 2013 and, upon graduation, will join 250 other Delta region leaders as members of the Delta Leadership Network. In April 2006,
the DRA board chose the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa to
coordinate the Delta Leadership Institute.
The Executive Academy meets six times in the coming year to discuss
issues facing the region including healthcare, transportation,
information technology, clean technology, small business development,
and economic development. As members of the Executive
Academy delve into a wide range of policy issues, they explore the
Delta region from St. Louis to Memphis and New Orleans, Little Rock to Alabama as well as a trip to Washington, DC
for lessons in policy development and advocacy.
Are you a graduate of the DLI?
Join the Delta Leadership Network today and continue our work to invest in the Delta.