WS Chronicle

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County has named George Redd IV, a Winston-Salem native with 10 years of Habitat experience, as its new executive director and CEO, effective April 4.

Redd is the first African American man to lead Habitat Forsyth, which helps qualified families build and purchase affordable housing in communities including Dreamland Park, where he played with friends as a child. 

Habitat is the housing partner of the United Way Place Matters Initiative, which has targeted Dreamland Park and 12 adjacent neighborhoods near Smith Reynolds Airport for revitalization. Habitat has also built or repaired hundreds of houses in the Boston-Thurmond neighborhood and in 2021 began building in the new 75-lot Stone Terrace subdivision.  

Redd joined Habitat Forsyth as director of program services in 2018 and has been responsible for homeownership and family services programs; life skills and home maintenance education classes that are open to the community as well as Habitat families; and the critical home repair program. He established the Youth Empowerment Program and Youth Culinary Program, both of which help break down barriers to opportunities for teens through enrichment trips, financial literacy, and personal development experiences. 

Before joining Habitat Forsyth, Redd was director of family services and community outreach for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro. He holds a B.A. in sociology from George Mason University and earned his certification in nonprofit management from Duke University in 2019. 

“I am passionate about Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, and I am thrilled to be heading an organization that is working every day to address the critical shortage of affordable housing here,” Redd said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our local government officials and the partner agencies who are addressing the many root causes and effects of poverty in our community.” 

Bob Gfeller, chair of the Habitat board of directors and head of the search committee, said: “George brings a wealth of Habitat experience and readiness to the role. And, George is a very well known and well respected leader in the community, uniquely as a native of Winston-Salem. He holds a high bar for performance and a big heart for the development of his team. We know that our Habitat affiliate, those whom we serve, and the greater community of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County will grow and prosper with George at the helm.”

Outside of Habitat, Redd’s community involvement includes membership in the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and Prince Hall Masons 30th District. He is also a member of the Piedmont Triad Workforce Development Committee and the Affordable Housing Coalition for the City of Winston-Salem. 

To learn more, visit habitatforsyth.org.