LEAD NC exists to recruit, coach, and foster relationships with a new generation of community and civic leaders for North Carolina. We focus on developing leaders who strongly support the following ideals:

- The unique mission and purpose of government is to protect public goods, promote the public interest, and help create a high quality of life and community well-being for everyone.

- All of North Carolina’s children deserve access to a quality and equitable public education that is adequately funded, as guaranteed by the state Constitution, and equitable public schools that inspire imagination, cultivate critical thinking and help all children grow to live fulfilling lives.

- Our economy should work for everyone, not just those at the top. Public enterprise,  private enterprise, and government should all contribute to an economy that generates opportunity, prosperity, and sustainability for all.

- North Carolina must develop cleaner, more renewable forms of energy, protect our natural resources, and ensure a healthy and safe environment for current and future generations.

- North Carolinians have the right to participate in political decisions that impact their lives. We need accessible, fair, and secure elections, nonpartisan, representative political districts, and other policies and structures that support democratic practices and promote civic engagement.

- Individuals have the right to decide if and when they will have a child, and everyone has the right to parent the children they already have in safe environments and healthy communities.

- Structural racism is historical, current, and pervasive in our society. All of us - and especially our public leaders - have a responsibility to practice anti-racism and work for racial and social justice.

- Systemic discrimination and oppression are antithetical to democracy. We must proactively work to end gender, social, religious, economic, and every other form of injustice.