Take 5 with Dawn-Michele Blalock

Sometimes the right job finds you. Such is the case for DAWN-MICHELE BLALOCK. When she was contacted about the position for chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern North Carolina, Blalock discovered, to her surprise, that the job was a perfect fit. It allowed her to use her skills to help disadvantaged youth realize their potential and become productive, responsible citizens. The fact that Blalock would be doing this work in her community made the job even more attractive.  

“I fell in love with the mission of the Boys & Girls Club, and I wanted to be a part of it,” Blalock says. 

Blalock’s interest in helping children has been an integral part of her life. Though Blalock held executive leadership positions in major health organizations such as Care Solutions and Ascend Health, she still found the time and energy to found the first pediatric hospice in North Carolina and develop bereavement camps for children to help them deal with loss in their family.  

Blalock’s commitment to children is evident in her work for the Club. Since she accepted the position of CEO two years ago, the Club has grown significantly. Blalock says the organization recently moved into three new counties, is opening a center in Jacksonville, and is still growing. Currently, she says, it serves about 2,500 children and youth.  

During her tenure, Blalock has also worked with the Club’s board of directors and staff to provide new, innovative programming, which ranges from remedial reading and math to high-tech programs such as the Spark Lab. The Spark Lab is like a STEM lab but more, Blalock explains. Students create, engineer, participate in podcasts, and engage in other tech projects.  

Another program helps kids learn to navigate social media and includes instruction on effective social media communication, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI.  

Some of the Club’s arts programs have gone high tech, too, according to Blalock. For example, youths not only make music, but they also upload it to Spotify and Apple Music. 

In addition to new educational programming, Blalock has extended the Club’s services to the Latino community.  

“We want to be a partner in that community, so their kids can thrive and succeed, too,” Blalock says.  

However, Blalock stresses that one of the most important and consistent elements of the Club’s programming is its mentors. 

“All the clubs provide good mentors who show up for the kids daily,” she says. “If they have a good mentor, they can accomplish just about anything.”   

Though Blalock loves developing relationships with the Club’s youths, she must also handle the operational parts of her job. That means a major portion of her time is devoted to fundraising, especially since federal and state dollars for the Club have been cut, she says.  

“I am constantly mining how to tell our story and help people see the impact we have,” Blalock says. 

Blalock is proud of the Club’s achievements. She says the Club’s programming is outstanding, and she hopes to add more sites in area counties in the future – all while adhering to the Club’s high standards. 

“We want to grow well, not fast,” she says. 

Take 5 with Dawn-Michele Blalock

DAWN-MICHELE BLALOCK, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina, strongly believes in providing opportunities for children to grow in the face of challenge. “We have so many challenges across our communities, it is imperative that we support the next generation,” Blalock said when she was named to head up the regional nonprofit in 2003.

How would you describe your role with the Boys & Girls Clubs? “My role is all about creating opportunities for young people to thrive. Whether it’s through direct program development, mentorship, community outreach, or fundraising, I focus on making sure every child who walks through our doors feels safe, supported, and inspired. I work closely with our staff, families, and partners to remove barriers and expand what’s possible for the youth we serve.”

What is the organization focused on this year? “This year, we’re deeply focused on outreach and resilience. Coming out of several challenging years post-COVID, we’re investing in trauma-informed care, staff training, and safe spaces where youth can express themselves, process emotions, and rebuild confidence. We’re also expanding our workforce development programs to prepare teens for college, careers, and leadership roles in their communities.”

What are some of your longer-term goals for it? “Long term, we aim to grow our reach and deepen our impact. That means expanding access to clubs in underserved areas, focusing on innovation in our programs, and ensuring sustainable funding so we can continue to offer high-quality services at low cost to families. We also aim to amplify our youth voice, empowering our members to lead, advocate, and shape the future of our communities.”

What lessons have you learned from kids and youth working with them? “Young people don’t sugarcoat the world – they tell you how it is, and that clarity is a gift. They remind me daily that hope and strength can exist even in the hardest circumstances. They’re curious, determined, and often more insightful than they get credit for. You get to witness those ‘aha’ moments when they discover what they’re capable of. They have an incredible way of reminding you why this work matters – and they bring a kind of energy and optimism that’s contagious. You leave every day feeling like you’ve learned just as much as you’ve given.”

Who is another woman we should know about in the area? “You should know SHANRIEKA FREEMAN-COOPER, who leads as our vice president of operations. She’s doing incredible work, focused on quality in our programming to provide the best opportunities for our youth. She’s a fierce champion for equity and community. Her leadership, much like the young people we serve, gives me hope for the future. She was also selected this year for the 40 Under 40 award by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.”

DAWN-MICHELE BLALOCK ’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Leadership email. To sign up for the email, go to WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.

To view more of photographer Aris Harding’s work, go to arisharding.com.

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