Trina Stephens

Trina is MDC’s program manager providing local leadership and program support to the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust’s Great Expectations initiative, which works to ensure that children in Forsyth County, NC, enter kindergarten ready to learn and leave set for success in school and life. In this work, Trina and other MDC Great Expectations team members will work closely with grantees of the Trust, key organizations supporting the early childhood system in the county, and other community leaders in implementing the Great Expectations strategy and emphasizing equity within the early childhood system. 

As a native of Forsyth County, Trina is a dedicated and experienced leader with more than 25 years of successful practice in the areas of early childhood education and community engagement. She began her early childhood education career as a preschool teacher in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC. She continued her work in this area upon returning to Forsyth County. In 2000, Trina became a home visitor with the Parents as Teachers program. After many advancements within the organization, Trina’s last contribution was as program director for two place-based initiatives serving families with children ages birth to eight. 

She is an executive member with The Forsyth Promise, which facilitates education-focused collaboration, community-wide planning, and action. The Promise provides a framework to help all community stakeholders work together toward the goal of improved educational outcomes for Forsyth County’s students from cradle to career. 

Trina has a sociology degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has completed trainings with Center for Creative Leadership: Community Leadership Training, Wake Forest University Nonprofit Essentials Program, Asset-Based Community Trained, Training from Racial Equity Institute and Institute for Dismantling Racism   

She has dedicated her life to be the best teacher for her daughters, Kyla and Dasia, and to the community as an advocate for social justice.