Rural Development Leadership Network

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Rural Development Leadership Network

A national multicultural social change organization that supports community-based development in poor rural areas.

certificate or academic credential. RDLN Leaders are engaged in many social justice and civil rights efforts to improve equity, participation and quality of life. They form a vibrant network for peer exchange. At RDLN's month-long Rural Development Institute held at the University of California at Davis, they share knowledge, culture, regional experience and programmatic expertise. RDLN provides online networking and training in entrepreneurship, writing, and other areas. With a special emphasis on women, RDLN undertakes special project, holds national network Assemblies, and raises the voice of the rural poor in international meetings.

03/11/2025

Please see the updated flyer below inviting you to our panel on the "Empowerment of Rural Women" at the UN Commission on the Status of Women session! Please join us this Thursday, March 13th, at 2:30 pm ET, 1:30 CT, 12:30 MT, and 11:30 PT!

10/31/2024

We're running an online silent auction, with proceeds going towards future RDLN programming:

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/6109e96e-6c58-4717-8d1c-75c5d7e59b18

Various items and experiences have been contributed, including jewelry hand-crafted by native women and a stay at a ranch in Montana.

We hope you participate!

10/22/2024

Here is wonderful news about NKwanda Jah, RDLN Leader and 2024 RDLN Assembly host!!!

Vote Solar has this to say:

We are thrilled to announce that NKwanda Jah has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award! As an environmental justice champion and a tireless advocate for energy equity, NKwanda embodies the spirit and commitment that Dr. Jackson represented throughout her remarkable career.

With over 40 years dedicated to advancing energy equity and environmental justice, NKwanda’s work is deeply rooted in her lived experiences. Growing up on her family’s rural farm, she understands the intricate connections between community well-being and the environment. Her passion for creating a sustainable future goes beyond environmental concerns, encompassing social needs, education, healthcare, and a just transition to clean energy.

In 2017, NKwanda established the Alachua County NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee (ECJC), uniting local environmental groups to focus on equity and justice. Through the ECJC, she has organized six well-attended community forums addressing pressing issues such as energy access, food security, climate change, affordable housing, and equitable transitions to clean energy. These forums have provided critical information in accessible formats, fostering community discussions that lead to concrete solutions.

Most recently, NKwanda led the development of the EMPOWER Coalition, which has been recognized by the US Department of Energy as a LEAP Community in both 2022 and 2024. This groundbreaking Coalition brings together city and county governments, educational institutions, local nonprofits, and resident associations from three underserved communities. Together, they are working to expand energy efficiency, weatherization services, and access to green jobs, all while addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by communities of color in Alachua County.

Through the EMPOWER project, NKwanda is forging a leadership group of residents who collaborate to negotiate solutions for an equitable energy transition, ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process.

We are thrilled to announce that NKwanda Jah has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award! As an environmental justice champion and a tireless advocate for energy equity, NKwanda embodies the spirit and commitment that Dr. Jackson represented throughout he...

08/13/2022

This year, three community organizations in Mississippi—Southern Echo, One Voice and the Mississippi NAACP—have joined forces to rally community activism in the redistricting process.

05/20/2022

Alabama Black Midwives Conference on Facebook -
live on Michelle Cole-Barnes' page
TODAY - May 20, 2022 - 2:00 pm (CT): Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Michelle Cole-Barnes, LPN (r) of Aliceville, Alabama, & Cynthia Ellis (l) of Belize, Central America, two RDLN Leaders with nursing experience lead a conversation on The Black Midwife: Bridging the Gap**

05/13/2022

Oh the Places Organizers Could Go - LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS! Due on Monday May 16th. Apply today, and/or share with organizers you know/love who could use some rest and recovery in a beautiful place.

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New York, NY

Telephone

(212) 777-9137

Website

http://www.ruraldevelopment.org/

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The Rural Development Leadership Network (RDLN) is a national multicultural social change organization that supports community-based development in poor rural areas through hands-on projects, education and skills building, leadership development and networking. Through RDLN, emerging leaders from poor rural areas spearhead development projects and design related study through which they may earn a certificate or academic credential. RDLN Leaders are engaged in many social justice and civil rights efforts to improve equity, participation and quality of life. They form a vibrant network for peer exchange. At RDLN's month-long Rural Development Institute held at the University of California at Davis, they share knowledge, culture, regional experience and programmatic expertise. RDLN provides online networking and training in entrepreneurship, writing, and other areas. With a special emphasis on women, RDLN undertakes special project, holds national network Assemblies, and raises the voice of the rural poor in international meetings.