Or youre participating on a key project which will affect the user experience for your companys customers. In her role as Director of Development, Amy Clear plays a crucial role in advancing the organizationsvision for equitable community development. That was basically from 2005 through 2008 to 2009, when they all worked really hard to figure out the right neighborhood. As Vice President of Network Development and Engagement at Purpose Built Communities, she supports place-based leaders across the nation to improve equity and opportunities for high-priority neighborhoods. She has also appeared as a CNN guest on the program Your Money, where she shared her experiences in leadership and change. As a teacher, he led his students to achieve significant academic progress. 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. And it is good for organizations because social capital helps people get work done more effectively and efficiently. Diversity followed excellence. The success of the East Lake Initiative has served as a blueprint for a national model of holistic community redevelopment through Purpose Built Communities, established in 2009.Today, there are 19 additional Purpose Built Communities across the country successfully creating opportunities for residents, and building strong economically diverse communities that thrive. He is an urban planner and a national expert in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and a variety of federal housing grant programs, including Choice Neighborhoods, HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration, and Section 8, among others. Ben is the Special Assistant to the CEO at Purpose Built Communities. Classification ( NTEE ) Community Foundations (Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Grantmaking Foundations) Nonprofit Tax Code Designation: 501 (c) (3) Defined as: Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international . Today, a coalition of partners are working with the community to build equity, opportunity and healthy outcomes for families. Before that he served as an assistant principal, English and social studies teacher, track coach, and community school coordinator in Philadelphia. Prior to his tenure with AHA, he was a Senior Planning and Development Officer for the City of Atlanta/Fulton County. 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. Now, people are finding out about us and they're coming to us, and some of them have a much better understanding of it. Within a strong community, people feel valued and all work has dignity. Marilyn Hack was one them. Strong communities have a significant sense of purpose. A lot of that came from the East Lake Golf Club, which helps fund the foundation's programs. In 1997, Jim founded and for the next 25 years served as CEO of Boulevard Group, an award-winning national firm that specialized in planning and managing urban revitalization projects. She began as senior vice president of the nonprofit and was elevated to president in 2015, with a goal of replicating East Lake's best practices in other poor neighborhoods. NAUGHTON: How to deliver really high-quality, neighborhood-serving education is still really hard. Before founding Boulevard Group, Jim dedicated 18 years to the public sector as a city planner and public official. Encourage team members to pull each other in, obtain feedback and work through tough challenges together. He has hiked more than 600 miles of the Appalachian Trail with plans to hike the entire trail; paddled all the Wilderness Waterway (in Everglades NP); and summited Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States. Catalinaleads the instructional team at Purpose Built Communities working toward a comprehensive cradle-to-college education strategy for each Purpose Built Communities Network Member. How does geography limit your access to opportunities and what can be done to change that reality? The sense of belonging you extend strengthens the whole. 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. [3], Purpose Built Communities is based on the East Lake Model. EIN: 45-4056587. Marilyn Hack (middle) and her daughters Terez and Maliha have lived at the Villages of East Lake for 15 years. Dont let perfection get in the way of progress. DAVIDSON: There were lots of people coming to East Lake and saying, "Wow, this is terrific." Now, it's a PGA destination. Born and raised in LaBelle, Florida, Evan loves outdoor adventures. South Rome Alliance is committed to ensuring a clean, safe, vibrant and beautiful community in South Rome. Our school, Drew Charter School, became one of the highest-performing schools in Atlanta. The community quarterback organization helps nurture those partnerships, sustain them and help everybody work toward the same goal. A just-published study by Ohio State University found people feel more supported when their networks are more tightly knit. Cousins is the man behind some of Atlanta's most prominent buildings, and when the city began tearing down public housing in the '90s, he says, he wanted to try something different with East Lake. Alexandra Wiggins supports current Network Members and assists new prospects as Vice President for Purpose Built Communities. The foundation will research the 27 Purpose Built communities to better understand the determining factors that turn distressed areas into healthy communities. After yoga, invite a new attendee to have a physically-distanced coffee with your core group, or ask for input from a colleague on your project. First, mixed-income housing really doing a great job on housing that serves people across a broad range of incomes. East Lake led Cousins and other investors like Warren Buffett to create a nonprofit consulting group called Purpose Built Communities to take the idea national. Catalina has worked with the Purpose Built Communities team since 2015 when she launched the Purpose Built Communities Principal Residency Program. Theres no part of the city with more potential to grow and add vitality to our region than Southeast Raleigh. Melissa Devereaux brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, development and volunteer/partner engagement to her work with Purpose Built Communities. Build your community by keeping your purpose in mind and reminding yourself of how your contribution matters. Economy. Today, the Northside Development Group leads a diverse coalition of people investing time and resources for a safe and strong Northside community. Prior to entering law school, Alexandra was a Metro Atlanta Teach for America (TFA) corps member where she spent two years as an elementary educator with a Fulton County Charter School. Top golfers like Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson will compete for the FedEx Cup. She resides in the East Bay area of California with her husband and two children. 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. Purpose Built Communities helps local leaders create greater racial equity, economic mobility, and improved health outcomes for families and children. It was really hard. He has led planning and development efforts for major projects across the United States, including such diverse cities as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Birmingham and Charlotte, with a development value of over $2 billion. 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. Purpose Built Communities is based on the East Lake Model. Innovation often comes from the edges previously untested, untried or unpopular ideas. hide caption. 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. 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. "It's just a country club," he says. She says the East Lake model has shown success. Melissa currently serves on the Selection Advisory Council of GreenLight Fund Bay Area. We appreciate a small circle of people, but need larger circles as well. Its supporters also call it a clear demonstration of the link between quality housing and public health. Southeast Raleigh is rich in culture, diversity and promise. "Had I been born there, I'd maybe be in jail somewhere also," he says of the old East Lake. 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. He resides in Albuquerque, NM and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking, camping, cooking out, and being outside. Even everyday contributions matter to the community as a whole. Community is critical to our health and wellbeing. 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. We welcome inquiries about our work and resources. 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. 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. 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. As members of community, people dont just want to lay bricks, they want to build a cathedral. We are craving community and cannot live our best lives without it. Atlanta has got three. 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. When President Eisenhower created the U.S. Interstate Highway System in 1956, transportation planners tore through the nation's urban areas with freeways that . Previously, Melissa spent the bulk of her career in Atlanta, where she served in a range of leadership roles in local nonprofit organizations. The Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income housing community about 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta. But Oakley says the success has benefited only a small group of people. I remember the residents for a long time kept saying they wanted all-brick buildings. Within a decade, the old brick-and-mortar housing units were gone, replaced by units that mimicked some of Atlanta's best private-market residences. 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. When we are part of a thriving community, we feel a sense of kinship, camaraderie and connectedness. Melissa holds a B.A. 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. She has twenty-five years of experience working in urban public schools. Shoy says he understands why some residents pushed back at elements of East Lake's transformation. "It's still benefiting the people that were here prior to the gentrification.". It is completely underwritten by three investors . Resident Akua Taylor, a musician, moved here in 2013 but says she knows the area is very different from what it was like 20 years ago. Remind yourself how much you matter, and take action to strengthen and sustain your community. Purpose Built Communities is a non profit organization founded by Tom Cousins, Warren Buffett, and Julian Robertson to replicate Cousin's East Lake model of community redevelopment[1] within other cities and areas throughout the United States. 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. Omaha / Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp. Purpose Built Communities Announces 2023 Truist Foundation Racial Equity Ambassadors Cohort, Senator Coons announces Logan Herring Sr. from REACH Riverside as State of the Union guest, 2022 A Year of Thinking Big, Diving Deeper and Creating Impact, Georgia Power Foundation Awards $3 Million Grant to Purpose Built Communities, Purpose Built Communities Convening Brings Together Network Leaders. Founded in 2009, Purpose Built Communities is taking on the task together with local partners in 28 cities around the United States. Purpose Built Communities has an innovative model for improving neighborhoods through looking at what it takes to make the lives of the people in those neighborhoods healthy and successful. 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. Recognized by the Urban Land Institute as a national model for community redevelopment, the East Lake Foundation was created in 1995 to help transform one of Atlantas most troubled neighborhoods. Canopy South exists to connect, convene, and collaborate with a community of doers, with the goal of establishing strong roots of social, educational, and racial equity in South Omaha neighborhoods disconnected from equitable access to opportunity. Have frequent meetings with your team so you can coordinate tasks and ensure people are making meaningful connections. She moved to East Lake 15 years ago when she was a single mother of three. Prior to Purpose Built, he worked as an educator. She also works as a bookkeeper for Remerge, a nonprofit facilitating collaborative opportunities to accelerate belonging & flourishing in local communities. 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. 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. 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. She is an avid runner and hopes to run in all six marathons of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. In addition to Historic South. 09/21/2022 04:30 AM EDT. 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. Before founding MCG, Michelle was a senior manager for IBM, KPMG Consulting and Accenture. A cultural critic and communications strategist by training, April has analyzed popular media and communications, politics, and culture to identify necessary intervention points to tell new, more affirming stories about Black people and other people of the global majority for more than ten years. Community is critical to our overall wellbeing and the decline of our connectedness is coming at the same time mental health issues are on the rise. We work with local leaders to improve equity and opportunity in neighborhoods nationwide. Also give them a sense of business literacy so they understand context and know how they can be proactive and make an impact. Prior to Purpose Built Communities, Amy worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta as an executive assistant, front office manager, and human resources assistant. In 2016, Connect Community was created to bring organizations and local residents together to collaborate, align their efforts, and mobilize a broader network of assets to meet needs and strengthen the overall community. 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. 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. With her varied background, Amy brings unique perspective and experience to her role at Purpose Built Communities. Grove Park Foundation (GPF) has grown out of the efforts to restore several historic neighborhoods suffering from decades of disinvestment and environmental degradation on the Westside of Atlanta. She provides critical leadership to and project management of all aspects of Purpose Built and the networks racial equity and justice work, including the Truist Foundation Racial Equity Ambassadors program. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and then served as a policy fellow with the Georgia Governors Office of Student Achievement shortly after graduation. Taking these actions will give individuals a better experience, and also strengthen the overall community. The . She began the role in 2017, after working as a manager within the organization since 2011. This work includes direct consultation with schools, districts, community quarterback organizations and boards on the implementation of a high quality education pipeline in a Purpose Built Community. Jim manages housing and neighborhood development strategies that ensure Purpose Built and its Network Members leverage industry best practices and innovative approaches that change neighborhoods and lives. In 1995, Tom Cousins purchased historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia with the intent to restore it and give its profits to the East Lake Foundation, a foundation he established to help fight poverty within the East Lake Community. You may opt-out by. When she isnt reflecting on communities of practice, Ashley enjoys exploring near and far places by foot, bike, and public transportation. In her current role as Human Resources and Office Manager, Linda plays a critical role in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent within our organization. SACRAMENTO, Calif. A crew of state workers arrived early one hot summer day to clear dozens of people camped under a dusty overpass near California's Capitol. 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 ofRead More. 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 . She serves as a liaison between the Board of Directors and senior management teams while also organizingRead 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. It became one of the top schools in Atlanta, and that's when it started attracting a more economically and racially diverse population. This is a BETA experience. A MEMBER OF PURPOSE BUILT COMMUNITIES FOUNDED IN ATLANTA IN 2009, Purpose Built Communities is a nationally renowned non-profit consulting firm that works side-by-side with community leaders, residents, and others to plan and implement holistic community revitalization efforts. 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. in Psychology and History from Emory University and an M.S. Send a quick note to someone you havent seen in a while or call a more distant acquaintance. She then pursued a Masters from Kennesaw State University in Accountancy and obtained her CPA license in 2007. In her role as Director of Development, Amy Clear plays a crucial role in advancing the organizationsvision for equitable community development. He began his career as a 7th grade math teacher and soccer coach in Edcouch, Texas. They instead spent their evenings performing again and sleeping in the Near East Side a vibrant, predominately African-American residential area. We did a lot of field trips. 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. He was twice named to the Fortune Magazine Inner City 100 list. The course that hosts the event the East Lake Golf Club is in the middle of a once-struggling neighborhood known for poverty, crime and a troubled public housing project. 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.". Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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. With over 60 years serving seniors we have experienced this first hand, over and over. Prior to Purpose Built Communities, Linda had 15 years of experience in executive administration, account management, and sales in both the private and nonprofit sectors. NAUGHTON: The folks from the East Lake Foundation and the housing authority started meeting together to plan what we would do if we could do something better. Along the way, weve answered some big questions, such as: The Mill District is a defined project area that encompasses four older and historic neighborhoods: City Village, North Highland, Bibb Village, and Anderson Village. Amy Clear is a seasoned fundraising professional with years of experience in the nonprofitRead More. NAUGHTON: There are a number of cities that have more than one of these now.