The Nonprofit Experience

Creating systems change is complex. There is no one blanket solution to solving the social issues of our time. This week Peter Buffett, co-president of the NoVo Foundation, and Delores Bailey, Executive Director of EmPOWERment Inc., start to dig deep into the historical, psychological and systemic challenges to creating a community where civil rights are based on actual human dignity and purpose

Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc. (TROSA) is a nonprofit residential recovery center that helps men and women with substance use disorders rebuild their lives. TROSA is unique in that it also provides ways to advance one's education, by getting a GED or taking college courses, thanks to a partnership with Durham Technical Community College. Before Kim Connolly became staff at TROSA, she was a resident in their program. Kim sits down with GED Teacher Mariann Smith to talk about feelings of accomplishment in both their individual work and throughout the organization as a whole.

Inner Banks STEM Center's Alvin Powell and Jessica Williams discuss the role STEM education opportunities play in the sustainability of rural communities.

This week's episode is live from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation's Renew & Refresh Retreat. Since 1990, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has honored North Carolina's nonprofit leaders for their dedicated service and commitment to the sector by awarding these sabbaticals. This Spring, the Foundation invited all participants in the program throughout the years to convene at the beach for the first ever Renew & Refresh Retreat. We were there to capture conversations about the program and the impact it has had.

Blake Butler, Executive Director, NC Industrial Hemp Association, and Malcolm Anderson, co-founder of Green Heffa Farms, NC’s first black-owned social equity hemp farm, sit down to discuss the impact on plant can have on individuals, communities, and our state.

Henry Crews and Eva Clayton have known each other for almost 50 years. These days, Eva is retired from the US Congress and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and Henry serves as the Executive Director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization. Listen in as they share how their paths have crossed throughout the years in work around food and nutrition at home in rural North Carolina and across the globe.

Bethann James, Founder & CEO of Gemstone Professional Services Consultants, and public health professional and podcaster Amarachi Anakaraonye discuss the importance and challenges of presenting your authentic self.

Digital storyteller Amarachi Anakaraonye and public health professional Lydia Moges discuss the ups and downs of nonprofit work, a life spent somewhere in the grey area.

As we say goodbye to our Multimedia Producer, David, we're saying hello to a new production team. Stay tuned for more from TNE!

This week, as we bid farewell to our multimedia producer David Mueller, he sits down with PJ Managing Editor Sandy Cyr to discuss the evolution of the podcast and share some of his favorite moments from Seasons 1 & 2.

Teacher Bee Smith and Executive Director Heather Ratliff of The Child Development Center discuss their work with special needs children and finding fulfillment under challenging conditions.

Terrence Smith and Noran Sanford of Growing Change reflect on the special significance of operating a sustainable farm and education center inside a decommissioned prison in Wagram, NC.

Attorneys Whitney Stanley and Mitch Yelverton of Duke's Office of Research Contracts discuss nonprofit governance, accountability and their work with the Triangle chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.

Randolph Keaton, Executive Director of Men & Women United for Youth & Families, and Shawn Maynor, Mayor of Bolton, NC, reflect on the challenges of working in rural communities and the importance of partnerships, accountability and succession planning.

Veteran board member Creighton Blackwell and newly minted board chair Luke Weingarten discuss nonprofit boards, engaging stakeholders, and why you don't always need a preponderance of data to know what's right.