Transcript
Denver: I’m here with Kyle Zimmer, the President and CEO First Book to do Take Five. Are you ready, Kyle?
Kyle: I am ready!
Denver: What idea in philanthropy is ready for retirement?
Kyle: Traditional charitable giving.
Denver: What is today’s most underreported story?
Kyle: The lack of education for our kids.
Denver: What did you change your mind about in the last 10 years and why?
Kyle: I changed my mind about market-driven forces and that small enterprises can shift a whole industry.
Denver: When was the last time you were totally disconnected from all your devices?
Kyle: When I was asleep last night.
Denver: If you could have one gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say?
Kyle: It would say “Equal education for all” and it would be in front of the White House.
Denver: What is the one book you would give as a gift?
Kyle: Winnie-the-Pooh, The World of Pooh. It was my favorite book as a kid and I still think the philosophy is pretty sound.
Denver: Given the choice of anyone in the world, dead or alive, that you could have dinner with, who would it be?
Kyle: Amelia Earhart.
Denver: When was the last time you sang to yourself?
Kyle: Probably yesterday.
Denver: To someone else?
Kyle: Probably yesterday.
Denver: What do you do to keep your organization nimble?
Kyle: Always bring in brand-new thinkers. We talk to other social entrepreneurs. We have a steady stream of them that come into the organization and explain their models.
Denver: You pick up a magazine to read. What is it?
Kyle: It is The Economist.
Denver: You started First Book in 1992. What advice would you give to the Kyle Zimmer of 25 years ago?
Kyle: Don’t be afraid. Be fearless.