Dudley E. Flood was born and reared in Winton, North Carolina. Since 1970, Dr. Flood has lived in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He began his career as a teacher of math, science and English at the eighth grade level. He later taught high school social studies and coached high school basketball and football. He served for three years as principal of a school covering first to twelfth grades before joining the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a specialist in school desegregation and race relations. During his 21 years of service with the Department of Public Instruction, he earned promotions first to Assistant and then Associate State Superintendent. Since April 1996, he has been a lecturer and consultant to groups throughout the country and abroad.

He currently serves on the N. C. Minority Cancer Awareness Action Team; the Public School Forum of North Carolina Board; the Wake Education Partnership Leadership Council; the UNC Press Advancement Council  and on several other boards and committees.