A few years ago, some people in Charlotte got ticked off by a number – 39. Just 39 percent of third graders in Charlotte were reading at grade level. In some places people might have said, well that’s about average for the state—which it is. In some places they might have noticed that other cities were doing even worse—which they are. In some places they might have said “I guess there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s too hard.”

But this being Charlotte, they took the opposite approach, rallying together a coalition of Belks, banks, foundations, and community leaders to form Read Charlotte. They set a goal of doubling the percentage of 3rd graders reading proficiently by 2025. Then they hired a Rhodes Scholar to run it. This week we talk with Read Charlotte Executive Director Munro Richardson about his approach to tackling big challenges, the importance of relentless networking, and the true home of good barbeque.