BLDG Memphis (Build. Live. Develop. Grow.), a coalition for organizations and individuals who support the development and redevelopment of healthy, vibrant, attractive and economically sustainable neighborhoods throughout the Memphis region, today announced its newly installed board of directors for the 2020-2021 year.

“Our newly elected and returning board members bring diverse community development expertise that will collectively strengthen BLDG Memphis,” said John Paul Shaffer, executive director at BLDG Memphis. “In turn, the leadership capacity they provide us will help us continue to empower and strengthen the efforts of our member organizations and the community development industry as a whole during this critical time.”

The new board of directors includes:

• President – Charia Jackson, Frayser CDC
• Vice President – Dr. Charlie Santo, University of Memphis
• Secretary – Cheryl Muhammad, Assured Real Estate/NAREB
• Treasurer – Gregory Love, The Works, Inc.
• Kimberly Jones, Neighborhood Housing Opportunities
• Dr. Katherine Lambert-Pennington, University of Memphis
• Nefertiti Orrin, Community LIFT
• Amy Schaftlein, United Housing, Inc.
• Ben Schulman, Memphis Medical District Collaborative
• Tiffany Turnage, South Memphis Alliance

Throughout 2019 and the first half of 2020, the BLDG Memphis team coordinated five policy work groups with more than 40 members, including community development corporations (CDCs), nonprofits, community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and educational groups. Also in 2019, BLDG Memphis graduated its fifth cohort of the New City Builders emerging leadership class and celebrated 20 years of operation as the trade association for community development organizations.

“Dedicated staff and leadership have been critical to BLDG Memphis’ success in pushing for new funding for affordable housing and neighborhood economic development,” said new board president Charia Jackson. “We welcome our new directors and thank outgoing board members Noah Gray of Binghampton Development Corporation, Cassandra Harris of Neighborhood Housing Opportunities and Terry Hoff of Oasis of Hope for their guidance and contributions.”

About BLDG Memphis
BLDG Memphis is a coalition of organizations and individuals who support the equitable redevelopment of healthy, vibrant, attractive and economically sustainable neighborhoods throughout Memphis. Formerly called Community Development Council of Greater Memphis, we began as and are, at our core, a membership organization specifically designed to support community development corporations (CDCs) as they invest in and drive further investment into disinvested neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.bldgmemphis.org.