Project Uplift was created three years ago by Jerome Purdie, a former English teacher. Purdie is a native of Bladen County and shares how and why he started the nonprofit to help.

Project Uplift helps Bladen County High School graduates with scholarships

Jerome L. Purdie is a native of Bladen County.

BLADEN COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A Bladen County nonprofit awards scholarships to high school graduates.

Project Uplift was created three years ago by Jerome Purdie, a former English teacher. Purdie is a native of Bladen County and shares how and why he started the nonprofit to help.

Jerome Purdie, a former Robeson County teacher who now works in Hoke County, said he frequently keeps food in his classroom because students come to class hungry.

“I can’t teach you if your stomach is growling, you have a headache and you’re sleepy,” he said. “Teachers are so often put under intense scrutiny, asked to go well beyond the lesson plan, and there’s just no support there.”

Low pay, lack of resources lead to burnout in southeastern NC schools, teachers say

Purdie took a two-year hiatus from K-12 education to work at Fayetteville State University before returning this school year. He said he left Robeson County schools because of changing and growing demands that became overwhelming.

Jerome L. Purdie currently works in Hoke County. He previously taught in Robeson County, worked at Fayetteville State University, and created Project Uplift, a nonprofit.

Who's Running in Bladen County Elections in 2026?

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Jerome is a first-time candidate for political office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of April 6, 2026, Jerome L. Purdie did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Project Uplift was created three years ago by Jerome Purdie, a former English teacher. Purdie is a native of Bladen County and shares how and why he started the nonprofit to help.

“We provide scholarships for students in Bladen County from underserved areas to help them go to school,” says Purdie. “I understand the burden of going to school and Mom and Dad sending you money for school this week, but Mom and Dad have to take care of the home as well.”

Provides scholarships to Bladen County students from underserved areas to help them attend school.

- Provides scholarships to Bladen County students from underserved areas to help them attend school.

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

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Jerome L. Purdie

As of April 6, 2026, Jerome L. Purdie’s website did not contain information on this issue.

BLADEN COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A Bladen County nonprofit awards scholarships to high school graduates.
Project Uplift was created three years ago by Jerome Purdie, a former English teacher. Purdie is a native of Bladen County and shares how and why he started the nonprofit to help.

According to the  , a majority of teachers in Scotland County Schools, 56%, believe students are coming to school without their basic needs met. That includes school supplies, clean clothes, food and proper sleep.
Jerome Purdie, a former Robeson County teacher who now works in Hoke County, said he frequently keeps food in his classroom because students come to class hungry.

Purdie took a two-year hiatus from K-12 education to work at Fayetteville State University before returning this school year. He said he left Robeson County schools because of changing and growing demands that became overwhelming. Those demands included taking on more students, teaching extra classes and handling a decline in parental involvement.

Jerome currently works in kindergarten-through-12th-grade education in Hoke County. He previously taught in Robeson County and worked at Fayetteville State University.

BLADEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 01 Gary N. Rhoda DEM 2,559 888 1,585 81 5
BLADEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 03 Keith Locklear REP 2,611 1,273 1,313 22 3
Jerome L. Purdie DEM 1,391 514 828 46 3

SKM_C250i22112913260 (Composite Abstract - November 2022 General Election)

Jerome previously ran for the Bladen County Board of Education's District 3 seat in 2022 but did not win.

Provides scholarships to students from underserved areas of Bladen County to help them attend school.

Those who filed for 2026 election - Bladen Journal

Jerome L. Purdie campaign for Bladen County Board of Education member, District 3, is his first time running for public office.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Aaron Russ

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system