COVER STORY
The Work After the Win Why Real Leadership Begins When the Crowd Goes Home, pg. 6 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2026 1
Contents
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—
3 Editor's Note: Building Momentum for a Healthier Tomorrow
FEATURE STORY 7 The Uncle Fred Project: How One Children's Book Is Helping Rural Families Start Life-Saving Conversations 12 Pressure & Plates Bringing Heart Health to the Table: How One Community Event Is Inspiring Healthier Choices Through Food, Fellowship, and Prevention 15 Rural Leader Day 2026 : Celebrating the Leaders Who Strengthen Rural Communities Honoring Vision, Service, and the Future of Rural Leadership
17 Every Step Counts Move It Monday Returns to Randolph County: How One Mile Can Inspire a Lifetime of Healthier Living 20 A Season of Health, Hope, & Community: How Two Signature Events Are Transforming Rural Wellness One Family at a Time From Halloween fun to men's health, Randolph County is proving that prevention can be engaging, accessible, and life-changing 24 Editor's Closing Note: Every Ripple Matters: Building a Culture of Health, One Community at a Time
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief Contact Us ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at RuralLeaderMagazine@gmail.com— 2
RuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2026
Editor’s Note Building Momentum for a Healthier Tomorrow By Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy, Publisher and Editor Rural Leader Magazine
There is something special about the middle of the year. By July, many of the plans we carefully crafted in January have either taken root or challenged us to rethink our approach. For rural communities, this season is also a reminder that meaningful change doesn't happen overnight—it is built one conversation, one partnership, and one person at a time. That spirit of steady progress is reflected throughout this edition of Rural Leader Magazine. Our cover story introduces The Uncle Fred Project, a unique initiative that combines children's literacy with cardiovascular health education. What began as an idea to encourage families to "know their numbers" has grown into an innovative community engagement tool that connects generations through storytelling, conversation, and prevention. It is our hope that every child who receives an Uncle Fred book will inspire an adult to take a simple but potentially life-saving step: checking their blood pressure. This issue also reflects on the success of Pressure & Plates, where good food, meaningful conversations, and free health screenings came together to demonstrate that wellness can begin in familiar community spaces. We also look ahead to Rural Leader Day 2026, a celebration of the individuals whose leadership continues to strengthen rural communities across our region. As we prepare for the months ahead, we preview
the return of Move It Monday's One-Mile Walk, encouraging residents of all ages to embrace physical activity as a powerful tool for improving heart health. We also offer a glimpse into two exciting fall initiatives—Trunk or Treat: Barbershop Edition and *Haircuts & Hams Men's Wellness Event—both designed to make health education engaging, accessible, and community-centered. These initiatives share a common purpose: creating opportunities for rural families to live healthier lives. Whether through literacy, walking, preventive screenings, or community events, each effort represents another step toward building stronger hearts and stronger communities. Thank you for continuing to support the mission of Rural Leader Magazine. We are honored to share stories that celebrate innovation, inspire action, and highlight the remarkable work taking place in rural America. As always, we encourage you to read, share, participate, and become part of the movement. Together, we can build healthier communities— one family, one event, and one heartbeat at a time.
Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD
What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2026 3