Meet the Author and Photographer
Katrina Fried is senior editor and associate publisher at Welcome Books, where she has worked since 2001. During her time at Basic she has written, edited or produced over a dozen books offering “unique visual narratives that push the boundaries and traditional limitations of illustrated books.”
Paul Mobley is a photographer with extensive training and an impressive client list including American Express, Sony, Citigroup, Ford, Compaq, Gourmet, Max Factor, Chevrolet, and Microsoft. He has worked with Fried on two books: American Farmer: The Heart of our Country (2008) and Everyday Heroes: 50 Americans Changing the World One Nonprofit at a Time (2012).
Book Basics
Everyday Heroes: 50 Americans Changing the World One Nonprofit at a Time profiles a select group of people committed to making a real and lasting difference. The fifty individuals profiled are diverse in every way, including age (from eight year old Alex whose parents have continued a charity in her name since her passing in 2004 to multiple nonprofit leaders well beyond traditional retirement age), how they found their way into their current role, the size and scope of the organizations they lead, and how they and their respective organizations measure success. These fifty extraordinary people are united in their commitment to cause rather than profit, hope over despair, future not past, and working humbly rather than pridefully. Together, they remind us that the American entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the nonprofit arena.
This thoughtful and visually compelling coffee table book belongs not only in homes, but also in nonprofit lobbies and school libraries. Readers will be encouraged to enter into or expand their own involvement in nonprofit endeavors and, more than a few will be inspired to turn their dreams into reality by founding a nonprofit.
So What?
Experience matters. Many of the fifty Americans profiled are nonprofit leaders today primarily because of one or more life experiences. Public school teacher Charles Best saw many teachers were funding classroom projects from their own salaries and founded DonorsChoose.org to bring together teacher’s desires and donor’s funds to create enhanced student learning experiences. Pastor Eugene Cho sacrificed a year of his own income and now encourages others to sacrifice and founded OneDaysWages.org to encourage others to give a single day’s wages to help improve the conditions of those who are less fortunate. Nancy Lublin founded not one but two nonprofits (DressforSuccess.org and DoSomething.org), each in response to needs she felt compelled to help meet.
- Share a few nonprofit heroes you know personally. How have they made a difference?
- Do you volunteer time or donate funds to one or more nonprofits? If so, how has your involvement in these organizations changed you as a person? Changed the world?
Katrina Fried (Text) and Paul Mobley (Photographs). Everyday Heroes: 50 Americans Changing the World One Nonprofit at a Time (Welcome Books, 2012). ISBN: 9781599621128.