WS Chronicle

On Monday, Jan. 15, The Chronicle and the Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the Benton Convention Center.  

The event, which is held in collaboration with other King Day celebrations held throughout the city, focuses on advancing King’s dream of racial harmony and equity. It provides a platform for individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds to come together, share a meal, partake in an inspirational message, and unite in prayer as one community.

The keynote address will be delivered by candidate for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction and retired executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR), Maurice “Mo” Green. 

Green served as executive director of ZSR from 2016 until 2023. Under his leadership, the foundation launched All For NC, its current framework for grantmaking and learning. This framework has enhanced the foundation’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. Through the framework’s State-Level Systemic Change Strategy, ZSR continued to support efforts to strengthen democracy, advance public education, foster a healthy and sustainable environment, and promote social and economic justice. 

Before leading ZSR, Green served as superintendent of Guilford County Schools. As superintendent of the third largest school district in the state, Green made it his mission to include parents in the decision-making process in Guilford County. Upon arrival in 2008, he launched a “Listen and Learning Tour” to get input from parents, students, principals and community members. The “Mo Wants to Know” campaign received more than 3,000 responses from stakeholders within the community. On Jan. 27, 2009, the responses were incorporated into the county’s first-ever strategic plan.

Prior to joining Guilford County Schools, Green held several positions with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). He joined the district in 2001 as its general counsel and in 2006 he was named chief operating officer. Upon his departure, he held the additional title of deputy superintendent. His duties included running the day-to-day operations of the district, which boasted 135,000 students, nearly 18,000 employees and a $1.17 billion budget.

The 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Benton Convention Center, 301 West Fifth Street. Admission is free; however, tickets must be reserved before the day of the event. To reserve tickets call 336-722-8624.