In the third episode of the new series, 2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts, Michelle sat down with Dreama Gentry, President and CEO of Partners for Rural Impact, a national intermediary that mobilizes rural leaders, strengthens the capacity of rural organizations, and activates policymakers and philanthropic partners to ensure the 14 million children and youth living in rural America are on a path to upward mobility. Partners for Rural Impact has eight offices nationwide and 350+ employees with an annual budget of $60+ million.
Michelle and Dreama discuss the challenges and opportunities in rural education, particularly focusing on the impact of federal funding and discretionary grants. They explore the importance of these funds in supporting educational programs, addressing persistent poverty, and ensuring equity in education. Dreama shares how Partners for Rural Impact is increasing access to high-quality programs and supports to improve outcomes for children in rural America, from kindergarten readiness to reading and math proficiency to college and career readiness.
The discussion highlights the need for advocacy, storytelling, and collaboration among rural communities to sustain and improve educational outcomes for young people. Gentry emphasizes the critical role of local support and the economic implications of funding freezes, how collaboration among rural organizations strengthens advocacy efforts, and how every young person deserves unhindered pathways to upward mobility.
Resources:
To learn more about Partners for Rural Impact work visit: https://partnersrural.org/
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.