Prosperity Starts with Place: Highlights from the 2024 National Conference in Birmingham

What a joy it was to gather in Birmingham for the 2024 Purpose Built Communities Conference! Network Members, supporters, and partners came together to network, share best practices, and learn together about innovative approaches to holistic, equitable community revitalization. This year’s conference theme was “Prosperity Starts with Place,” and the program content advanced the belief that every neighborhood should have the resources and amenities it needs to be worthy of the people who live there.

The Conference kicked off in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 23 with opening remarks from Purpose Built CEO Carol Naughton. Attendees were welcomed to the city by Network Member Woodlawn United CEO Mashonda Taylor as well. Panelists discussed the Purpose Built Model and how it’s paving the way to prosperity. There was also a conversation about the opportunity to create a field of holistic development as a catalyst for change.

Day 1 of the Conference closed with dinner and the exciting announcement of two new Network Members, LIFT JAX in Jacksonville, FL and Cherry Hill Strong in Baltimore, MD.

Purpose Built Communities Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, Michelle Matthews, says, “We’re thrilled to welcome LIFT JAX and Cherry Hill Strong to the Purpose Built Communities Network. They are driving positive change in their respective communities while addressing entrenched inequity. We look forward to collaborating with them to strengthen pathways to prosperity in these neighborhoods.”

An ambitious group gathered Wednesday morning for an early run/walk in Birmingham. Day 2 of the conference kicked off with CNN political commentator, former State Representative, and vice chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party Bakari Sellers. “Being in a community with over 500 leaders gathered to share resources, learn, and collaborate on effective approaches to place-based economic transformation is humbling and energizing,” he said. “These are the leaders we need to shine a light on that are galvanizing change in our communities.” Attendees received complimentary copies of Sellers’ recently released book, The Moment, and he hosted an engaging book signing after speaking.

After dynamic and practical breakout sessions, Dr. Janelle Williams of Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative was the keynote speaker during lunch. Then, attendees boarded buses to head to the Woodlawn Community for a neighborhood block party hosted by Woodlawn United, the local Purpose Built Network Member. Tours, vendors, and good food made for a memorable Birmingham experience!

Woodlawn Community Neighborhood Block Party

The final day of the conference kicked off with data from Opportunity Insights, looking at the long-term impact of mixed-income communities. Concurrent breakout sessions addressed practical topics like coalition building, financing, communicating about the work, and strategies for mixed-income housing.

The 2024 Purpose Built Conference closed with a fireside chat featuring entrepreneur and philanthropist Pinky Cole Hayes. “As a Baltimore native and thriving Atlanta-based entrepreneur, I know firsthand how critical it is to have organizations and funders deeply invested in embracing a community-centered approach to building healthy and thriving neighborhoods,” she said. “I have a location in the Purpose Built Community of Woodlawn in Birmingham, Alabama, and am proud to be part of a community that has significantly contributed to improving the quality of life for residents.”

We are celebrating 15 years of Purpose Built Communities, and participating in our first in-person conference in 5 years was an amazing experience. Prosperity Starts with Place, and we are so inspired by the innovative work happening through the partnership of Purpose Built, Network Members, and residents all around the country.