I'm checking in to share a big change I've made in my continued efforts to drive impact where it's needed most.
Over the past five years about half of Velo's work has been dedicated to nonprofits. This summer, I took that work and joined forces with Center for Neighborhoods as Co-Director and Head of Community Investment.
Velo's work involves capital investment of all kinds, and Center for Neighborhoods has been a key partner in stewarding grant funds to make some of those deals happen.
However, this 50-year-old organization that has an incredible reputation, does crucial community development work and has beloved leadership with deep knowledge and relationships in the region, had fallen perilously low on funds due to the challenges of growth and funding flows not always lining up. My skill set and the work I bring helps improve that balance, and the board and leadership together has already righted the ship.
But more importantly, this is what I believed was required of my leadership at this time.
Since stepping out of the mayoral race in 2021, I've wrestled with how dramatically leadership requirements have shifted due to sweeping changes in technology, climate change, income inequality, and now the explosive political landscape here and abroad (see my reflections below):
What leadership is needed in these unprecedented times?
What is driving the urgency for leadership changes?
How is this period of change and challenge actually an opportunity in our work?
The good news is that each of us can rise to the challenge in this moment.
Today’s AI technology is already proving to help level the playing field by assisting underrepresented minorities to overcome barriers in communication, education, experience – essentially in every aspect of where AI aids in productivity.
New leaders at the table can enhance connectivity and create new opportunities for local businesses and education. Through enlightened economic empowerment and green energy principles, new equitable wealth-building opportunities exist like never before.
For me, this was the moment to more closely align my values and my leadership efforts.
In just a week’s time, we may find ourselves facing an entirely new set of leadership demands—where every one of us will be called to do more to preserve not only our own values but the values of our country.
That work won’t be easy, but we won't shy away from it. With perseverance, enthusiasm, and hope, we will meet the challenges ahead and build a future we can all be proud of.
Thanks for your continuted partnership in this work. Together, we will create the change our communities need.
Yours in Peace and Change,
- Carla Dearing
We can all lead from where we are:
On our radar
In building an economic empowerment plan, we’re studying how co-operative ownership structures can drive economic empowerment of individuals and families in communities. Check out the Network for Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC) for a wide range of educational resources.
Thanks to KY Innovation, we're also exploring how community leadership in economic development and start up ecosystems development, both representing underresourced, high opportunity areas for investment, can work together. Explore more here.
Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) in Boston is a Community Land Trusts to hold land on behalf of a community to ensure long-term affordability and community control. We are exploring ways to implement collective asset ownership by individuals in Community Benefit Agreements. |
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