In late July, eight Purpose Built Communities Network Members gathered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to experience a different kind of leadership in action. This Peer Exchange Program (PEP) trip was part of Purpose Built’s ongoing commitment to building connections and accelerating impact through community-driven learning.
The Peer Exchange Program provides financial and logistical support for Community Quarterback teams to visit other neighborhoods in the Purpose Built Network. It is an opportunity to see the model in action and explore how others are addressing shared challenges. Leaders return home with insights that can spark new strategies in their own neighborhoods.
From July 24–25, teams from Amplify GR, Forest Forward, Lift Orlando, PACT, Seventy Five North, South City Foundation, RISE Coleman Park, and REACH Riverside came together in Spartanburg. There, they engaged with the Northside Development Group and the Northside Voyagers, a resident leadership team that has been shaping the vision of their neighborhood since 2011.
The visit provided a meaningful example of how residents and Community Quarterback organizations can partner to ensure transformation reflects the voice and priorities of the people who live in the neighborhood.
During the Exchange, eight members of The Voyagers led discussions about their history and structure, as well as their approach to building trust. Their perspective provided context for how resident voices can remain central in long-term neighborhood change.
In addition to the inspiring conversation, the larger purpose of the PEP trip was to create space for peer-to-peer learning among visiting Network Members. Conversations focused on how Community Quarterbacks across the country can adapt or reimagine similar strategies to strengthen resident engagement in their own communities.
For visiting teams, the Spartanburg trip underscored the value of learning together. Seeing firsthand how NDG supported the Voyagers’ early development, while also giving them space to grow as an independent entity, sparked dialogue about balance, how Community Quarterbacks can provide structure and resources without overshadowing resident leadership. The exchange also highlighted practical considerations, such as the importance of land acquisition strategies for long-term affordability and the role of leadership training in preparing residents to influence development decisions. One attendee said, “I enjoyed experiencing how involved the Voyagers have been in leading change, not just responding to what NDG proposed.”
Leaders from NDG, including Carmeisha White, emphasized humility, listening, and relationship building as foundational to the work. Voyager President, Linda Askari reminds us of the trustrequired for true collaboration, sharing her father’s words: “Your word is your bond.” Learning from other leaders like these is vital for helping visiting Network Members think critically about how they center residents in their own transformation efforts.
The Spartanburg trip reflected the heart of PEP: shared learning and dialogue, and the exchange of ideas that strengthen the entire Network. By spending time together, Network Members left not only with inspiration from the Northside experience but also with stronger ties to one another. Those relationships are what allow the Purpose Built model to grow and continue making an impact nationwide.
Purpose Built Communities’ Peer Exchange Program highlights the power of collaboration and the value of learning across neighborhoods. Supporting and celebrating these opportunities helps ensure that lessons learned in one neighborhood can inspire change in many others.
