WFDD interviews former Guilford Schools Superintendent Mo Green, fresh off his “Mo Wants To Know Tour” in his new role as president of the liberal Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
Here’s some of what Mo heard:
For now, Green says he’s taking in what he saw and using that information to help plan the future steps for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. He takes that seriously, because the organization can award around $15 to $20 million a year in grants. Green says the foundation has a history of making change in North Carolina.
“As I went to various parts of the state and met with many individuals, it became clear to me the impact that the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has had on this state,” says Green. “So many individuals would talk about how the foundation was the first grant to a particular organization that now is in it’s 25th or 30th year of existence, how the foundation was a leader on taking up issues that other foundations or individuals really weren’t willing to do – whether it be poverty or the very first grant around venereal disease in 1937.”
He adds, “It was remarkable for me to be in the position that I’m blessed to be given and then be able to tour the state and truly be able to listen from others.”
Here’s an idea of what the Z. Smith Reynolds defines as “change” in North Carolina: equity training in Rockingham County Schools, toward which the foundation contributed funding.
