She is also a board member for the Quality Care for Children. Peoples roles have meaning in the bigger picture of the community and each member of the group understands how their work connects to others and adds value to the whole. [5], In 2009, Cousins sought to expand the East Lake Model and established Purpose Built Communities to help fight other areas of concentrated poverty throughout the United States. This may seem like a small thing to most; but to our residents this is very important . She helped to launch the Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity and coordinated the publication of Investing in Americas Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers, an anthology of best practices in workforce development written by practitioners and policymakers around the country. She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from Texas Tech University, and is a candidate for an MBA in Real Estate from Georgia State University. As Carol Naughton one of the architects of the turnaround puts it: "If the water is clean, the fish will be fine.". Each neighborhood bears deep wounds from past practices rooted in structural racism, and consequently show symptoms of disinvestment and neglect. This newsletter provides resources to help engage communities and partners, insights to lessons learned, and proven solutions from Network Members. The secret sauce to our work, though, is what we call a community quarterback organization, which works with the community to create a vision of what the community wants their neighborhood to be, then figures out how to get all the public-private partnerships that are necessary to execute upon that vision. Today, PACTs mission is focused on enhancing the quality of life in the Near East Side. For more than 13 years prior to joining Purpose Built Communities, Mikki served as Vice President of Development for The Michaels Organization, one of the nations largest affordable housing developers. Projects he has planned and developed have won the prestigious Congress for New Urbanism Charter Award of Excellence and the National AIA Honor Award. In a wide-ranging interview, Naugton and Eytan Davidson, Purpose Built Communities' vice president of communications, talked about the creation of their organization, how housing and community health intersect, and what challenges have been the most difficult to solve. A strategic senior executive, she boasts more than 20 years of proven experience in successfully driving innovation to build growth and long-term sustainability for diverse, national, and local organizations. But the cost means that not everyone can play here. Purpose - Built Communities Racial equity, health outcomes, and economic mobility are central to the Purpose Built Communities approach. Purpose Built Communities is a nonprofit organization that works with local leaders across the country to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by producing better health outcomes, racial equity, and economic mobility. Michelle Matthews joined Purpose Built Communities in 2016 as Senior Vice President after leading her own consulting company, Matthews Consulting Group (MCG), for more than a decade. Have frequent meetings with your team so you can coordinate tasks and ensure people are making meaningful connections. Forest Forward works with the community to combat the causes and effects of systemic inequities through neighborhood revitalization that centers efforts to accelerate the advancement and achievements of Black and marginalized people. Purpose Built Communities works with local leaders to help them plan, implement and sustain holistic neighborhood revitalization initiatives that create healthy neighborhoods that include broad, deep and permanent pathways to prosperity for low income families. Ben Poston. Value and Impact of the Purpose Built Community of Practice: 2019-2021 INTRODUCTION Purpose Built Communities (Purpose Built) brings together Network Members (NMs) leaders and staff from organizations representing dozens of efforts to improve neighborhoods across the country in a networked Community of Practice (CoP) structure. Or youre processing payments at a university where students will get their start toward their life goals. Innovation often comes from the edges previously untested, untried or unpopular ideas. She is a recognized expert when it comes to developing strategies to improve business processes, maximize human capital and increase revenues. Today, the Northside Development Group leads a diverse coalition of people investing time and resources for a safe and strong Northside community. NAUGHTON: There are three key strategies. With her varied background, Amy brings unique perspective andRead More. The looming decision of the New York State Department of Transportation to replace the current Interstate 81 viaduct presents a transformational opportunity for the community. The most important thing for people with choice, who think about where they're going to live, is where their kids are going to go to school. The goal of his program is to prepare leaders to have a systemic impact on the American education sector. Prior to relocating, she served on the Board of the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School and The Odyssey Family Counseling Center. Omaha will have two. Prior to launching her management consulting firm, GaillardHouston, she spent ten years as the Atlanta Director with The Posse Foundation. EIN: 45-4056587. Amy formerly spent 17 years working for Starbucks managing several stores and opening new stores in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2011, Michelle received the Atlanta Business Leagues Business Achievement Award, and she was featured in the 2012 November/December issue of Minority Business Entrepreneur magazine. Once a vibrant, working-class community, the area experienced decades of disinvestment. She then spent two years teaching students English as a second language in Lyon, France. in Urban Studies and Africana Studies and an MS.Ed., both from the University of Pennsylvania. Evan Smith is a Vice President at Purpose Built Communities, a non-profit, pro bono consulting firm that believes everyone deserves the opportunity to live and raise their children in communities where they can achieve their full potential. What's the key ingredient? Located just east of downtown Birmingham, Woodlawn runs for 15 blocks along a rail line that brought thousands of workers to this post-Civil War boomtown. Purpose Built Communities partners with local leaders to design, direct, and accelerate neighborhood transformation initiatives across the United States with the shared goal to ensure every resident experiences greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and increased upward mobility. This area is important to the citys economic history as Columbus was founded on the commodity of cotton and textile production. Today the area features a health care center and early childhood learning center, among other neighborhood anchors. There, April worked alongside a multi-disciplinary team of social scientists to advance the organizations strategic outreach and engagement initiatives with partners across various advocacy fields, including housing, education, health, and human services. But everybody kept coming back, even after hard meetings, even after meetings where you left feeling like, "We're never going to be able to figure out how to do this.". The golf club has played a central role in a sparking redevelopment, and the neighborhood has avoided some of the typical pitfalls that come with such a transformation. Youre feeling the effects of the pandemic, quarantines and social isolation acutely. Aventine, Hillsboro, Etowah Terrace, South Rome Commons, Coosa Country Club/Virginia Circle, and Darlington Village. July 7, 2022 5 AM PT. For years, Kendall-Whittier was on a steady decline and was a place where opportunity was elusive until an influx of new immigrants began to move in and stabilize the neighborhood. Build your community by keeping your purpose in mind and reminding yourself of how your contribution matters. The Purpose Built newsletter offers insights into the many facets of community development, news from Network Member, the latest research and information on best practices for removing barriers to racial equity, and much more. She provides critical leadership to and project management of all aspects of Purpose Built and the networks racial equity and justice work, including the TruistRead More. Most area residents had only experienced public housing or affordable housing or housing of last resort, and we wanted people to see something they hadn't seen before. hide caption. Linda Roberts joined Purpose Built Communities in its infancy in 2009. In a wide-ranging interview, Naugton and Eytan Davidson, Purpose Built Communities' vice president of communications, talked about the creation of their organization, how housing and. Also hold people accountable for performance, while also making room for team members to stretch. Today the area is home to an emerging 200 acre master-planned, mixed-use development 4 miles southeast of downtown Fort Worth. April also led FrameWorks equity working group and external communications efforts. Build your community by seeking new learning and stretching your own skills. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Since Purpose Built Communities was established by Warren Buffet, Tom Cousins and Julian Robertson in 2009, we have been dedicated to improving community health and addressing racial equity. How can we reimagine housing to advance equity? hide caption. Sure, youve stayed in touch with those with whom youre closest, but your more distant ties are diminishing, disappearing or declining. But Oakley says the success has benefited only a small group of people. We've got to have partners on the ground who buy into the idea that the school is kind of the epicenter of the neighborhood. Gulfton/Sharpstown is the most diverse neighborhood in the most diverse city in the country. This work focuses on building a community of practice via peer-to-peer engagement, documentation of best practices and innovation, and regular convenings of network members. "Had I been born there, I'd maybe be in jail somewhere also," he says of the old East Lake. Ashley began her career as a kindergarten and second grade teacher at an elementary school in Philadelphia as a Teach for America corps member. In addition, the needs of each member and the needs of the whole organization are fully met. She has twenty-five years of experience working in urban public schools. Purpose Built Communities offers expert leadership and consultation via a dynamic team of experts who help local leaders working to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through holistic community revitalization. These traits are the foundation of her ability to quickly grasp the internal and external dynamics of an organization or institution, and successfully facilitate strategic planning retreats and team-building sessions. Currently, Zenith serves on the board of AFS-USA, Veritas School of Social Science, Alliance Theatre, and the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has received numerous recognitions for her leadership that includes the Atlanta Hawks Forever 404 Honoree, Atlanta Business Leagues Top 100 Black Women of Influence, 100 Black Men of North Atlanta Image Award, Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award, and Kenny Leons True Color Theatre Companys 52 Weeks of Women. Utilizing our experience, we build all our memory care communities with extra-wide hallways to ensure each lady and gentleman can stroll throughout the community with ease. Residents of the Northend of West Palm Beach are resilient and diverse, with a desire for a great neighborhood that works for all. People appreciate being welcomed and valued. Cleveland has one. The working class neighborhood experienced ups and downs in the ensuing decades. They instead spent their evenings performing again and sleeping in the Near East Side a vibrant, predominately African-American residential area. East Lake Foundation President Danny Shoy Jr. Our mental health and our physical health literally depend on being part of strong and capable communities. Social capital is positive for people because it provides the opportunity for growth, learning and advice. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and then served as a policy fellow with the Georgia Governors Office of Student Achievement shortly after graduation. Purpose Built Communities CEO David Edwards giving a tour of Charles R. Drew Charter School to a group of Tallahassee officials. Previously, Melissa spent the bulk of her career in Atlanta, where she served in a range of leadership roles in local nonprofit organizations. Using the Purpose Built model, GPF is working with local partners, leaders and residents to create a healthy, equitable, sustainable and vibrant community. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Mixed-income housing, health and wellness, education, and opportunity are part of the vision to renew communities and advance racial equity. Ellen started her career with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and spent several years with AT&T as a Capacity Planner/Manager. The PGA Tour makes a stop in Atlanta this week. But the model in Atlanta. In all of his work, he saw many students achieve great successes, but was struck by how a childs zip code remained a significant predictor of their life outcomes. Prior to his tenure with AHA, he was a Senior Planning and Development Officer for the City of Atlanta/Fulton County. While making a phone call may seem very yesterday, a new study by the University of Texas Austin found voice calls can create stronger bonds than text messages. The second piece is the cradle-through-college education pipeline starting with high-quality early learning that prepares every little genius to be successful in elementary, middle and high school, and beyond. 'Chief Storytellers': The Newest City Trend? We work with local leaders to improve equity and opportunity in neighborhoods nationwide. But all of this together has had the same impact as if we had done a health intervention program. Also give them a sense of business literacy so they understand context and know how they can be proactive and make an impact. This was because the networks in cities were denserwith more people exchanging ideas and testing new thinking across social and professional groups. NAUGHTON: There are a number of cities that have more than one of these now. Melissa currently serves on the Selection Advisory Council of GreenLight Fund Bay Area. (Getty Images/iStockphoto). Then after Katrina, three (New Orleans) business leaders were invited up to East Lake they were searching for ways that they could help their city. The comments from FBI Director Christopher Wray come after a new DOE report thrust the lab leak theory back into the spotlight. All rights reserved. When she isnt reflecting on communities of practice, Ashley enjoys exploring near and far places by foot, bike, and public transportation. Zenith Houston is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partners, where she leads all fundraising, communications, and marketing efforts and design systems aimed at advancing Purpose Built Communities mission. James Jim Brooks, AICP, is Vice President of Housing and Community Development. We work together to honor the history of entrepreneurship and ensure that more equitable outcomes are passed through generations. This newsletter provides resources to help engage communities and partners, insights to lessons learned, and proven solutions from Network Members. He began his career as a 7th grade math teacher and soccer coach in Edcouch, Texas. Alexandra is a proud Georgia Bulldawg completing her undergraduate studies at The University of Georgia as both an NCAA Scholar Athlete dancer and HOPE Scholarship recipient. Danny Shoy Jr., who leads the East Lake Foundation, says East Lake upends the typical story line of housing prices going up and low-income people being forced out. Ashley Bozarth joined Purpose Built Communities as Knowledge Manager, a newly created role supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in early 2020. Yet despite the sweeping effects of the pandemic, we can strengthen and sustain community. So our diversity didn't create excellence. She says the East Lake model has shown success. What are the common causes of distressed neighborhoods and what can be done to reverse these dynamics without creating displacement? "Investing In What Works for America's Communities It Takes a Neighborhood: Purpose Built Communities and Neighborhood Transformation", "The East Lake Story | Community Redevelopment | Atlanta, Georgia | East Lake Foundation", "Mission | Community Redevelopment | Atlanta, Georgia | East Lake Foundation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Purpose_Built_Communities&oldid=1082436661, Non-profit organizations based in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 April 2022, at 05:08. Melissa Devereaux brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, development and volunteer/partner engagement to her work with Purpose Built Communities. TheRead More. For the past sixteen years we have had the privilege of coming alongside residents of Historic South Atlanta to create a flourishing community through mixed-income housing, economic development, neighborhood engagement, and training and consulting. But the model in Atlanta needed a sustainable revenue stream. The Atlanta Housing Authority says about 13 percent of families were not allowed back. The work is informed by three key strategies: Collective Impact, Place-Based and Asset Based Community Development. What things are you still working on? James Jim Brooks, AICP, is Vice President of Housing and Community Development. He is the former Deputy Executive Director for Development for the Atlanta Housing Authority, where he helped lead the team that planned Centennial Place and Villages at East Lake, the mixed-income, mixed-use communities that became national models for urban housing development and affordable housing revitalization. The current, collective focus is to develop enough affordable housing stock to prevent displacement and allow families to remain in the neighborhood Using the Purpose Built model, GPF is working with local partners, leaders and residents to create a healthy, equitable, sustainable and vibrant community. Ben holds a B.A. He is serving at Purpose Built Communities as part of his doctoral program in educational leadership at the HarvardGraduate School of Education. Lift Orlando is a non-profit organization of business leaders working with residents and community partners towards holistic neighborhood revitalization in the historic Communities of West Lakes. Atlanta has got three. Build your community by keeping your purpose in mind and reminding yourself of how your contribution matters. Where else has Purpose Built Communities had an influence? Prior to joining FrameWorks, April was the manager of communications at Chicago Foundation for Women and a frequent on-air contributor to Vocalo, a next-generation radio station part of Chicago Public Media. The Highlander neighborhood sits less than a mile from downtown Omaha in its emerging midtown area. As a leader, hold regular one-on-ones with your staff members. Amplify GR works through partnership to identify and achieve shared goals that widen pathways for success in Boston Square, Cottage Grove, and the surrounding neighborhoods. For seven years leading up to the creation of Purpose Built Communities, she served as the Executive Director of the East Lake Foundation, the innovative nonprofit organization that serves as the community quarterback organization for the East Lake neighborhood. The Secret Sauce in Community Transformation, Education, housing and a "community quarterback" organization are key to Purpose Built Communities' model for area transformation. In other words, when your own connections know each other, youre more likely to feel supported. Because all-brick buildings are ugly, and you never see them other than affordable housing, But I also came to understand later that bricks stop the bullets. Rising from the flooded remains of the St. Bernard housing development, the Bayou District was created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to provide a new mixed-income community complete with schools, recreation, and support services. DAVIDSON: There were lots of people coming to East Lake and saying, "Wow, this is terrific." Through a holistic approach that focuses on investments in education, housing, and wellness, GPF is dedicated to revitalizing the Grove Park neighborhood and improving the quality of life of our community. As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ellen Newton is responsible for Purpose Built Communities financial stewardship, developing and implementing the organizations overall financial strategy.Ellen previously served as CFO at Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL). A principal must not just be a great leader within the school, but also a community leader, and be really connected to what's happening outside of the four walls of the school. She has also appeared as a CNN guest on the program Your Money, where she shared her experiences in leadership and change. In her Executive Coordinator role, Amy Odle provides adminstrative support to the Purpose Built Network Member Services team, as well as leads tour logistics and event planning. They arent immune from tough circumstances, instead they adapt and become stronger as they cope together. Invest time and energy in maintaining your bonds. Prior to Purpose Built Communities, Amy worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta as an executive assistant, front office manager, and human resources assistant. This is a BETA experience. NAUGHTON: How to deliver really high-quality, neighborhood-serving education is still really hard. While in law school she served as an educational law policy analyst and legal extern for former U.S. In 2013-2014 Michelle was host of Growth Matters, a weekly radio show where she dialogued with executives and entrepreneurs about their insights into growing an organization in todays competitive environment. Amy brings unique perspective andRead more she then spent two years teaching students English a! A Senior Planning and Development Officer for the city of Atlanta/Fulton County engage Communities and Racial. Has shown success to feel supported of his program is to prepare leaders improve! 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