Regional News

Foundation honors three

JOURNAL STAFF REPORT

Published: November 22, 2009

Updated: 11/22/2009 12:45 am

Chris Mumma of Durham, Raymond Payne of High Point and Marcia Espinola of Siler City each received a Nancy Susan Reynolds Award yesterday from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

This was the 24th year of the awards, which were presented in ceremonies in Asheville.

They honor ordinary people making extraordinary differences in the lives of North Carolina's residents.

Mumma, an attorney, heads the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence. She was awarded for advocacy in recognition of her efforts to get innocent people out of prison.

Payne, a former homeless man, now works in various ways to help others who are homeless. His award was for personal service.

Espinola, a Chilean described in press materials as "a major force in racial understanding" in her community, received an award for race relations.

Each award carries a $25,000 prize -- $5,000 for the recipient to use as he or she chooses, and $20,000 to be given to nonprofit organizations of his or her choice.

Recipients also receive a bronze sculpture of the late Nancy Susan Reynolds, a philanthropist and one of the founders of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.