Why is it that some communities take off, and others, even if they appear to have the same kinds of assets, don’t. Today’s guest says it all comes down to one thing—LEADERSHIP. The communities that are better able to weather storms and chart a course for the future have people in place who can get others to join them in moving forward. That’s why it’s a great thing that at this moment in time, Abdul Rasheed is heading up the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, a program designed to identify and equip the next generation of leaders. Named after long-time UNC System president Bill Friday, the fellowship honors his spirit by emphasizing the important role that leaders must play in their communities in finding common ground.

This installment is part of a special 13-segment series produced in collaboration with UNC-TV, and recorded in UNC-TV’s Legislative Studio in downtown Raleigh. We are excited to share the First in Future podcast via traditional means and via taped segments to air on the North Carolina Channel! Visit http://www.ncchannel.org/schedule/ for specific air dates.