29 episodes

Too many Americans live in neighborhoods stuck in intergenerational poverty - but the American Dream is in the hearts of Americans in every zip code.
Purpose Built Communities, a network of nonprofits leveraging a holistic model for transformational neighborhood revitalization, shows how to break the cycles of poverty and create vibrant communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

This is Community Purpose Built Communities

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 3 Ratings

Too many Americans live in neighborhoods stuck in intergenerational poverty - but the American Dream is in the hearts of Americans in every zip code.
Purpose Built Communities, a network of nonprofits leveraging a holistic model for transformational neighborhood revitalization, shows how to break the cycles of poverty and create vibrant communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

    Episode 29: Bonus Episode: Taking her seat at the table: “It’s about time!”

    Episode 29: Bonus Episode: Taking her seat at the table: “It’s about time!”

    Having the courage and confidence to take on leadership isn't always easy, but in the case of Mashonda Taylor, Executive Director of Woodlawn Foundation and Valencia King, president of the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association in Birmingham, Alabama's Woodlawn neighborhood, it was inevitable. This conversation reveals the influence strong, Black, female leaders are having in the Woodlawn community in Birmingham, AL. Their collaboration and partnership is helping to bring about holistic community revitalization and creating healthier places for residents.

    • 38 min
    Episode 28: Bonus Episode: An Interview with Senator Chris Coons

    Episode 28: Bonus Episode: An Interview with Senator Chris Coons

    Now more than ever, we need to show communities that have been impacted by a long legacy of racism and race-based inequality that we can do better.


    One key to that is to increase collaboration.


    In this bonus episode of This is Community Logan Herring, Sr., executive director of Purpose Built Communities Network Member REACH Riverside--an organization working to improve opportunities and outcomes for residents in the Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington Delaware, talks to Delaware Senator Chris Coons about working across those silos that exist in federal programs designed to address poverty.


    This conversation took place at the first-ever virtual Purpose Built Communities Annual Conference in November of 2020.

    • 11 min
    Episode 27: Bonus Episode: The Makings of a National Place-Based Movement

    Episode 27: Bonus Episode: The Makings of a National Place-Based Movement

    The research is clear: for too many Americans, zip codes determine destinies. In other words, the places in which we are born and grow up have a greater impact on our life outcomes than any other single determinant, including genetics. But is there a new movement taking place in community development, philanthropy, and policy that is responding to the overwhelming evidence of the importance of place in fighting poverty? In this bonus episode of This is Community we hear from Geoffrey Canada, Founder and President of the Harlem Children’s Zone; Carol Naughton, President and Interim CEO of Purpose Built Communities; and Kwame Owusu-Kesse, CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone who are coming together to answer this question. This conversation was moderated by Othello Meadows, Managing Director, Portfolio Strategy & Initiatives at Blue Meridian, and took place in late 2020 at the Purpose Built Communities Virtual Annual Conference.

    • 34 min
    Episode 26: A Conversation on the COVID-19 Vaccine

    Episode 26: A Conversation on the COVID-19 Vaccine

    As the COVID-19 vaccine has been made available, we consider the racial inequities and historical mistreatment of Black and Brown communities in research and within the health care system. Suffice it to say, that relationship has been somewhat tenuous over the years.


    In this special episode of This Is Community, Danny Shoy, President and CEO of the East Lake Foundation, facilitates a Facebook live conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine with Dr. Jayne Morgan, Clinical Director of the Covid Taskforce for Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. Thanks for tuning in as Dr. Morgan answers some of the most pressing questions and concerns about the vaccine. It is our hope this conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine helps create awareness intentionally through a racial equity and social justice lens.

    • 53 min
    Episode 25: S3 Ep. 6: A Conversation with Logan Herring, CEO, REACH Riverside in Wilmington, DE

    Episode 25: S3 Ep. 6: A Conversation with Logan Herring, CEO, REACH Riverside in Wilmington, DE

    “IT ALL GOES BACK TO RACIST POLICIES AND PRACTICES.”


    In this episode, hear more about how the Riverside neighborhood is similar to other Black and brown communities, as well as how they are different. Their response to the current reality has focused on a holistic approach for addressing community needs-—particularly creating a forum for teens. Find out more at purposebuiltcommunities.org/podcast.

    • 51 min
    Episode 24: S3 Ep. 5: A Conversation with Mashonda Taylor, Executive Director, Woodlawn United in Birmingham, AL

    Episode 24: S3 Ep. 5: A Conversation with Mashonda Taylor, Executive Director, Woodlawn United in Birmingham, AL

    “WE ARE ACTUALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO SOLVE FOR A LONG TIME AND THINKING INNOVATIVELY AND NOT LOOKING AT BARRIERS SO MUCH ANYMORE.”


    Hear more about how Woodlawn United is serving as the stable force in a historic Birmingham, Alabama neighborhood amidst the pandemic, convening community partners to help them pivot and adjust. Find out more at purposebuiltcommunities.org/podcast.

    • 46 min

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