• End of year systematization

• Puerto Rico year 1 synthesis exercise

Moving forward, I am dedicated to reshaping this narrative. By focusing on developing and executing outcomes that prioritize local capacity-building, I aim to empower these communities to define their own path forward. My work will be centered on ensuring that their development is not dictated by external forces, but instead driven by the resources, values, and leadership inherent in the communities themselves.

Through action research, I’ve discovered that while these communities possess the energy and drive to achieve more, the foundational aspects of economic development are still being built. In fact, the Parishes within these regions have yet to align as a unified whole, which creates challenges in collaboration. As a result, the communities tend to operate in silos, and sometimes even in opposition to one another. Moving forward, my vision is to develop solutions that bridge these gaps, offering practical approaches to help them better focus and maximize the resources they deserve. For too long, these communities have operated from a mindset of scarcity. I am committed to helping them transition to one of abundance, where they can dream and scheme for a future of lasting strength and resilience.

The following assets would need to be drawn from / built on

A consortium of institutions that are rooted in the communities of the regions that they serve. They are responsive to the economic development needs of the communities that they serve, and are able to work with municipalities on a non-partisan level that allows them to embed themselves into the nuance of localized needs within an area. So that the strategic plans that we design can be executed upon by consortium with dedicated capacity and know-how.

Because

We need dedicated and focused effort in these communities that is able to help with the operational capacity at a municipal level, regardless of the political season. What I am finding is that because economic development is so often tied into the political realities of a locale, the overall work can become bogged down every 2-4 years. We need to build apolitical institutions at the regional level who are able to respond to local economic development levels with technical assistance that operates in a hub-spoke level type of engagement. I imagine the possibilities especially coupled with the power behind artificial intelligence, reducing the knowledge and experience barriers all too inherent in this work.

You’ll see

Local areas that have institutional support that wakes up everyday with the best economic development interests of the municipality in mind. The hub is an informed intermediary that can directly respond to the particular needs of their local partners in a bespoke manner. They are able to distill the particulars of the multitude of opportunities to address issues in local areas down to information that is actionable. With a community economic development leadership program tied into the process, we are also able to source local talent in a cohort type model that keeps economic development at the forefront.

You’ll know

That others are connected to your work and believe in it because they are participating in your process. That your approach is not seen as exploitative and extractive and instead mired within the challenges and issues people face. That your intervention has solutions that are derived from within the chaos of the problem and is responsive in a language and cultural context that makes sense. That the model has a lack of interest in special interest, and has the pursuit of the uplift of the community as its core mission.

If we are able to achieve this foundational aspect, I believe we can then actually achieve the outcomes beholden to a strategic plan.

So far

I have worked hard to gain the trust of the communities I serve. That's come with a lot of time spent with them, learning about their culture and history, listening to the hopes and dreams couched within the commonplace challenges they face, and consistently showing up to the places they invite me to and better understanding their homes.

In communicating and sharing about my work thus far, I've sourced the Community Leadership Economic Development model directly from the community I am hoping to serve. It was a process they completed in 2003 that I am hoping to bring into the modern, AI-age.

I've also been asked to help lead economic development efforts because I am starting to show ability that fits with what the community actually needs. Because of this, I am able to more clearly see what is needed at the systemic level and aspire towards creating the bureaucratic interventions that they can utilize in the future to get the work done.

And next

I have to get better. I did not realize in taking on this work that I would be expected to actually solve the issues I am coming across. My professional background has allowed me to learn how to analyze issues, theoretically create solutions, and build solutions at they systems level that one hopes can be trickled down to the local level. Now, I am able to flip the pendulum and directly respond from the bottom up towards the system-makers.

So I have to learn how to operationalize all of the work I have done thus far. Immediate steps include engaging in resource generation so that we can begin allocating what is needed to directly engage with process identification and building. This will allow us to set a path to empowering the Economic Development Foundations I am working with to embody the work. They are the spoke with bespoke solutions. Ultimately without a budget, it will be impossible for these organizations to do anything. Operationally, we have to foster the creation of institutions that have vested interest in these local issues, but are removed from the rigors of local interest. I believe the HBCU can fill this role and will continue to work to build out relations within the two I'm working with to empower them to serve in this role.

This model has been my modus operandi in executing the Capacity-Building aspect of the project. I have been purposeful in listening more than speaking, taking action to only further understand what was being communicated to me. Together, I've worked with stakeholders within both communities to undertake the planning needed to respond. Now, I feel empowered to act together with the communities I serve to create impact that is cooperatively driven by them.

I'm only the vessel.

I came in set on executing my work plan and pursuing my particular interests at a high level and pace. Somewhat singular in my thinking, I had every intention of doing good. But it would be accomplished by "getting things done" and not necessarily being beholden to the local solutions that I should have been.

This outcome created bad juju and, ultimately, friction. Turns out that good intentions and a desire to help doesn't necessarily mean folk want what you have to offer. In fact, strong communities might just push back! It was in allowing myself to slow down and grapple with my mistakes that I ultimately began to get traction in my work. I found that I had to show that I was there to good with them and just for them. With no hidden agendas or motives. I had to show that I came willing to learn. That I was willing to grow and go at their speed to create genuine connection. No BS.

So I decided instead to lean into trusting myself to do the work to gain trust. This has meant listening more than speaking, taking the time to explore nuance, and learning to better understand community based on their terms. I no longer move based on assumption - only on trust.

I am able to be proud of what we have accomplished over these past 10+ months. My biggest takeaway has been have learned that notions of grand, sweeping solutions to longstanding, almost intractable challenges usually never works. Especially in places that have long faced strife.

Instead, our answers will be found found in the dirt. We're gonna have to roll up our sleeves and get deep into it in order to find the roots of equity and justice. And when we do find them, we'll be careful about safeguarding and protecting ourselves as much as possible.