HOUSTON, April 29, 2025 – Purpose Built Communities®, the national leader in strengthening neighborhoods as powerful engines of change to open pathways to prosperity and opportunity for all, announced Michele Norris and Soledad O’Brien as key speakers at the organization’s 12th annual Prosperity Starts with Place™ National Conference. The conference convenes Purpose Built Communities’ Network Members, community leaders, residents, local and national policymakers, educators, real estate developers, health experts, funders and philanthropists to discuss, create, and innovate strategies that put more families on a pathway to prosperity and opportunity in the places that they call home.
“Research proves the neighborhood where you grow up shapes your future, and is a strong predictor of outcomes across income, educational achievement, and life expectancy,” said Carol R. Naughton, Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Built Communities. “As Neighborhoodists™, we work with local leaders to create the conditions that drive economic mobility and better health outcomes for all residents, putting more people on a pathway to prosperity and choice-filled lives.”
This year’s conference features a notable lineup of speakers, including esteemed columnist and national radio host Michele Norris; award-winning documentarian and journalist Soledad O’Brien; and Houston’s Connect Community founding director Anne Whitlock. The conference will host over sixty-five speakers and workshop facilitators, providing a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
“After more than two decades of working to understand how we discuss identity, I have seen firsthand how neighborhoods and communities shape us,” said Michele Norris, former host of NPR’s All Things Considered and founder of the Peabody Award-winning Race Card Project. “Houston, and this network of communities across the country, demonstrate that strong connections create stronger neighborhoods.”
“I have dedicated my career to sharing empowering and authentic stories, amplifying the voices of communities who have historically been overlooked,” said Soledad O’Brien, host, and executive producer of “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.” “Negative national narratives can profoundly affect local communities, making it essential for residents to spearhead the neighborhood transformation they envision.”
The event will foster connections among practitioners, policymakers, and funders dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods so that everyone can thrive. Participants will engage in panels, interactive sessions, fireside chats, and a block party throughout the conference. Attendees will also take a guided tour of Houston’s Gulfton and Sharpstown neighborhoods, showcasing the progress of Purpose Built Communities’ Network Member, Connect Community, and providing valuable insights and inspiration for those committed to strengthening their own neighborhoods to connect more people with the American Dream.
“Houston, a city rich in resilience and community spirit, demonstrates the impact and positive outcomes that Purpose Built Communities and Network Members can achieve by implementing our holistic model,” said Anne Whitlock, Founding Director of Connect Community. “We join in the shared vision of fostering ties that strengthen our neighborhoods, creating deep, durable pathways to prosperity and lifelong health for all.”
For over 15 years, Purpose Built Communities has demonstrated the power of strengthening neighborhoods as powerful engines of change to create the conditions where all families can thrive. The organization creates pathways to opportunity and prosperity in neighborhoods nationwide by partnering with Community Quarterback Organizations. All Network Members are Community Quarterback Organizations that are hyperlocal nonprofit organizations that collaborate with residents and partners to advance a strategy in support of the community’s vision. By providing expertise, resources, and advocacy for organizations in the network, they are helping to build and sustain healthy, flourishing neighborhoods. Purpose Built Communities supports more than 25 Community Quarterback Organizations, which are specialized local organizations that work with residents and partners to create the vision, plan, and strategy to achieve the long-term goals of the neighborhood. In conjunction with more than forty emerging prospects, leads and emerging Network Members, to advance a strategy in four interconnected areas: high-quality mixed-income housing; a cradle-to-college education pipeline; spaces and programs that nurture community wellbeing; and businesses and opportunities that create economic vitality and meet residents’ needs.
