Suzan McDowell’s Post

"Congratulations to Paul Young on his victory in the Memphis Mayor's race! 🎉 His leadership promises a new era of prosperity, safety, and inclusivity for our beloved city. Read our latest article to discover how Mayor Young's vision could transform Memphis. #NewDawnForMemphis #MayorPaulYoung"

In recent years, we've seen a troubling decline in membership across civic organizations, notably Rotary Clubs. These groups have been community cornerstones, fostering belonging, mutual aid, and shared purpose. Their dwindling numbers not only signify a loss of tradition but also hint at a more fragmented society. Rotary and similar entities have historically transcended social, economic, and political divides, nurturing leaders, championing causes, and building resilient communities. This decline in civic engagement prompts us to question the state of our societal fabric. Are we facing increased isolation or disengagement? The weakening of communal ties suggests a decrease in social cohesion, essential for collective challenges and shared responsibility. My experience with Leadership Columbia and its Steering Committee underscored the Chambers of Commerce's vital role in nurturing community leaders. These programs prepare individuals for success and instill a commitment to civic engagement, demonstrating the interconnection between leadership and community service. However, the lack of representation from entities like the Greater Kansas City Chamber in Rotary and the absence of civic organization focus in programs like Centurion are concerning. If we're not engaged in civic organizations, how do we build community? Engaging in civic groups allows business leaders to apply their skills for the greater good, enriching both personal and professional lives and strengthening our social fabric. Overcoming barriers to engagement, such as time constraints and perceived irrelevance, is crucial. The decline in memberships calls us to action, especially those in leadership. It's time to renew our commitment to community service, stepping into impactful roles. Let's support civic organizations like Rotary, not just for their legacy but for the future they envision—a future where community and leadership intertwine to create a cohesive, vibrant society. Building community is our collective responsibility. How will you contribute to civic engagement? #CommunityBuilding #RotaryClub #Leadership #CivicEngagement #SocialCohesion

Major #KansasCity developments -- such as the upcoming #2026WorldCup and building the first women's professional sports stadium -- are driving gentrification that could displace or exclude the Black community. However, there's a movement to ensure whatever happens is equitable for all. Black Excellence Inc is a group of professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to uplift the Black community in Kansas City. Registration has been extended through February for its 22-week leadership training. In the "Ascend Cohort," people build a three-year plan to grow their household income by 30%. Black Excellence founder Craig Moore II said it's important for everyone to get a piece of the pie. "That's going to bring Kansas City billions and billions of dollars over the next 10 years," he said. "How can the Black community make sure that they're ready to benefit [from] these new resources and opportunities that are coming down?" Black Excellence was awarded a grant by Health Forward Foundation in support of the mission to strengthen small, community-based organizations led by and serving people of color or rural areas. Moore said grants have helped them develop online tools such as one known as Proximity, which is also used by the Heartland Black Chamber. Moore pointed to a lot of new development where Juniper Gardens was just bought out in Wyandotte County. He said it's important for people to change their perspective, finding ways to upscale and increase their income so they can't be bought out -- and could instead be engaged in these types of opportunities. "Those things do happen," he said. "Gentrification happens. We see it happen all the time. But I think that the biggest thing of it is that we're never at the table early enough." He added that it's equally critical to vote for people and develop the right types of leaders who will make decisions that integrate resources fairly, into all neighborhoods, and support #Missouri communities as a whole.

TRUSTEES FOR CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE Our commitment to enhancing civic infrastructure by encouraging, educating, and inspiring individuals of all ages throughout the county would not be possible without the continued support of our trustees. LEADERship has a small group of Trustees for Civic Infrastructure who provide an annual investment critical to the ongoing success of our program. Each investment goes directly to participant programming and results in people taking on leadership roles in the community. LEADERship, in turn, banners the names of the Trustee organizations on LEADERship publications and materials. As is almost always the case with education, tuition for the class year does not cover the cost of the program. The support from the Trustees for Civic Infrastructure allows LEADERship to keep tuition at an affordable price to maintain the diversity we seek. That also allows us to maintain the growing network of leaders who are working individually and collectively to strengthen our communities. LEADERship Ashtabula County salutes our Trustees for Civic Infrastructure, who have invested in the development of people ready to make things happen. #Trustees #LEADERshipAshtabulaCounty #CommunitySupport #CommunityPartnership

Here are some thoughts on civic leadership. Not wanting to sink into nostalgia, but the leadership model that operated in American cities through most of the 20th century really did get results. The current economic and political climate makes it very hard to recreate that model, but as we try to drag ourselves out of the current civic chaos it is worth remembering why it worked. https://lnkd.in/gSCkpPvY

NLC REAL/Race Equity And Leadership continues to facilitate these important conversations. Another valuable REAL tool here: Roadmap to Repair https://lnkd.in/ePnp22pd

Great OpEd in Chicago Tribune underscoring the need for the next generation of inclusive civic leadership to step up to continue moving Chicago forward. To create the equitable Chicago we want to see, it requires commitments from the business community to hire, invest, and procure differently to make our region one where everyone truly has the ability to succeed. We reflect on the lives well lived and too soon lost from revered civic business leaders, Andrew Crown and Rocky Wirtz. "They also embodied a tradition that sets Chicago’s business community apart from other major metros: This city expects its business elite to play a role in its civic life, getting big projects like Millennium Park off the ground, contributing to the upkeep of beloved institutions such as the renovation of the Museum of Science & Industry, and helping elected officials to take on giant, seemingly intractable challenges such as combating crime, improving education and creating economic opportunity in the neighborhoods as well as the Loop." #economicdevelopment #Chicago #civicleadership #inclusion #access #equity #collectiveaction #stakeholdercapitalism #civicengagement

Everything changes when someone calls out your leadership and believes in you. And the power of believing in others is a phenomenon known as the Pygmalion effect. Its influence can be felt in one’s professional life, local community, or a classroom. As the Executive Director of Black Developers Forum (BDF) when it comes to believing in our mission, and investing time and resources to help our members realize their potential as Black real estate developers — I know the sky is the limit for what we can achieve together. Black Developers Forum wishes to acknowledge our Inaugural Corporate Partner, Swinerton. Swinerton stepped forward to support our emerging organization which is an important part of our growth. Without Swinerton’s sponsorship and those that follow them, there would be no Black Developers Forum. Special appreciation goes to Eric Foster, David Callis, Terry McKellips, Ray Haj, Patrick Otellini, Lori Dunn Guion, Miquel "Mick" Penn, MPA, CCA, and Paul Hinz. Erik Murray, SIOR, CCIM, Peggy Lee, Doug Shoemaker, CCM, LEED AP, Darnell Williams, Denice W., Emylene Aspilla, Daniella Jimenez, Daryl J Carter, Sonia Huntley, Monica Joe, Rochelle Mills, Ken McIntyre, Donald Gilmore, Kimberly Brown, Melissa Garcia, Fathia Macauley, Demitrius Burnett, M.Div, Candace Thurmond, Joseph Olla, Alexis Laing, Kathryn Cahill Thompson, Miranda Walker, Fred Blackwell, Regina Davis, Rodney K. Nickens Jr. #partnership #thankyou #blackrealestatedevelopers #affordablehousing #accesstocapital #leadership #realestatedevelopment #appreciation #believe #nonprofitorganization

Great article! Jia L.