These insights from four Community Quarterback Organization leaders remind us that neighborhood transformation is not quick work; it’s steady, sustained, and rooted in purpose. Their reflections revealed the quiet rituals, intentional choices, and community-first values that sustain their momentum, even when the road gets tough.
Sheldon K. Johnson
Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT)
Columbus, OH
“I try to stay focused on the end goal,” Sheldon Johnson says, “why we are doing this work and the impact it will have [on] our community members.”
PACT in Columbus, Ohio, keeps residents involved in shaping that work every step of the way. “We work to keep community members engaged and informed through various channels,” shares Sheldon. We attend events and meetings hosted by community organizations and invite feedback into our programs, projects, and initiatives.”
That community-centered strategy helps him stay grounded, even when things get tough. In addition to staying focused on the end goal, he says you have to remember your “why.” He’s particularly excited about what’s on the horizon. “I’m excited about the number of real estate developments that are being led by mission-based developers. It has the potential to transform our community in a positive way.”
Ilham Askia
East Lake Foundation
Atlanta, GA
Ilham Askia finds energy in the joyful, everyday moments—especially the ones shared with older adults in the community of East Lake in Atlanta, GA. “I participate in community events as a volunteer. My favorite time is spending Wellness Wednesdays with the Active Older Adults. They keep me grounded,” Ilham shares.
Listening is her go-to strategy. “I sit down with people and ask what is going by well, what do they want to see, and how life is treating them?” And then? That’s when the entire team works together to make things happen.
When the work gets heavy, she grounds herself in service. “I remind myself of how far I’ve come to be in this honorable position to serve,” says Ilham. “The quote I live by is ‘Service is the rent you pay for time here on this Earth.’” That wisdom she gained from Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm keeps her grounded. What else keeps her going? “I breathe, drink some water, and keep moving,” she shares.
She’s especially energized about East Lake’s focus on economic opportunity. “We are providing options for homeownership, college savings, investments for students, and financial health and planning for adults. I am also excited about the program milestones for our partners.”
Tiffany Capers
Renaissance West Community Initiative
Charlotte, NC
“I try to gather stories,” Tiffany Capers of Renaissance West Community Initiative says, “Not just the polished stories ones but the raw, unfinished ones that reflect lives in transition, lives in the state of transformation.” She also makes room for celebration. “I also make space for joy and reflection, even when urgency tempts me to skip it.”
To stay responsive to community needs in Charlotte, NC, she’s developed a practice of listening and interrogation. “I listen more than I speak,” she explains. “I ask questions that invite nuance, not just answers… I invite people to challenge and pressure test my assumptions.”
When the work feels weighty, she turns to the beliefs that brought her to it. “I revisit the teachings, the values, the beliefs that align with this work—the ones that taught me that equity isn’t charity, it’s justice. I don’t always have hope, frankly, but I always have heart.”
She’s excited to see RWCI step into a new chapter. “We’re reimagining roles, rebuilding trust, and reclaiming relevance,” Tiffany explains. “I see a future where RWCI isn’t just a place-based initiative—it’s a proof point for what’s possible when opportunity is non-negotiable and community commits.”
Logan Herring
REACH Riverside
Wilmington, DE
For Logan Herring or REACH Riverside, the key to staying energized is connection, with peers and with himself. He says he is motivated by visiting other Purpose Built communities and speaking with other leaders. He also shared the importance of prioritizing self-care care like implementing Mental Health Mondays. Leaders work a half-day with no meetings allowed all day, preventing burnout and preparing for the week ahead.
He stays aligned with the community by listening and making sure he can act on what he hears. “Keep the community involved in the work,” he advises, “and compensate them for their time.” He also noted the priority of making sure they are adequately staffed to deliver the needs and dreams of the community. “It’s wonderful to listen, but if you can’t deliver, what’s the use?” he asks.
And what does he do when challenges arise? “I think of the children and families in our community as if they are my own,” he responds. “What would I do if they were?”
Looking ahead, Logan is eager to expand the organization’s impact, sharing his excitement about going deeper and wider in the work, improving the individual and collective impact.
As these leaders remind us, the heart of neighborhood transformation beats strongest through connection—connection to purpose, to people, and to place. Whether it’s carving out space for self-care, gathering unpolished stories, or showing up to listen with humility, their reflections reveal that lasting change grows from sustained commitment and shared vision.
As we look ahead, their words challenge us all to keep doing the quiet, intentional work that turns vision into reality—one relationship, one moment, and one neighborhood at a time.
