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.

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Guests

Mashonda Taylor

Executive Director, Woodlawn Foundation

Mashonda is a Birmingham native with degrees from Loyola University and Gonzaga University. She is also a member of the Birmingham Planning Commission, executive committee of Jones Valley Teaching Farm, and chairs the Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce for the Junior League of Birmingham, where she also served as a board member in 2017. Among other involvements, she was a member of the inaugural Alabama Leadership Initiative class.

Valencia King

President, Woodlawn Neighborhood Association

Valencia King, president of the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association in Birmingham, Alabama’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

Narrator

Eytan Davidson

Vice President of Communications, Purpose Built Communities

Eytan Davidson has spent his career working with cities and nonprofits to promote equity and access to opportunity. As vice president for communications, Eytan helps promote the organization in order to grow the Purpose Built Communities Network and consults with Network Members on communications-related issues to help them achieve their objectives in their cities and neighborhoods. He also oversees strategic communications for the East Lake Initiative, working with the East Lake Foundation, Drew Charter School, Purpose Built Schools, and the East Lake Golf Club.

This is Community is created in partnership with HL Strategy. Our executive producers are Eytan Davidson and HL Strategy (Howard Lalli, Sherry Crawley, and Patty Gregory.) Our producer, director, and editor is Matt Honkonen. Mixing, mastering and music is from Pitchwire.