Delta Regional Authority announces 52 community leaders for intensive year-long leadership training across Delta region

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Mayor William Rawls, Jr. of Brownsville will participate in the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) eleventh class of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. Mayor Rawls will join other DLI fellows from each of the eight Delta region states. Participants are nominated by their respective governors to participate in the year-long leadership training program.

“Our communities and region need strong local leadership to continue to grow and thrive. This is why DRA has made investing in our leaders a priority,” said Chris Masingill, Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority. “I’m very proud of this class and what they have already accomplished in their own communities. DLI will only further prepare them to continue to lead.”

Over the course of the Executive Academy year, Rawls will attend six sessions across the Delta region and in Washington, DC to engage in advocacy training, case study discussion, and on-the-ground field studies of priority issue areas for the region including Workforce Training and Education, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Public Health, Transportation and Basic Public Infrastructure.

“I want to be able to cross over geographical boundaries to form partnerships on a regional level. We are a global nation and must work to enhance our collaborative efforts that combat the challenges of tomorrow. Leaders need to be well equipped with resources to develop other leaders. DLI will allow me to develop the relationships that are imperative to improving the quality of life for all citizens of our communities,” Mayor Rawls said.

Since 2005, the DLI has worked to improve the decisions made by community leaders across the Delta by broadening their understanding of regional issues, building a corps of alumni that have a regional and national perspective, developing a toolkit of resources for addressing issues facing their local communities, and providing the training and professional development needed to extend the pipeline of skilled local leadership within our Delta communities.

The newest DLI class held its orientation and first session of the Executive Academy in Memphis, TN two weeks ago.

About the Delta Regional Authority

The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. Through the Rural Communities Advancement Program, the DRA has provided leadership development to more than 400 community leaders over ten years and strengthened regional collaboration with its Delta Leadership Institute. The DRA partners with Arkansas State University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe for programming and organizational support of the Institute. Learn more about the Delta Leadership Institute at dra.gov/leadership.