Setting the Table and Then Having Humble Pie
The foundational thinking behind our work at Beyond Housing is our operational mantra of Ask, Align, Act. We ask the community, those we work for and with, what are the challenges but more importantly the solutions to make their home a better place. We align the resources and the partners to get the work done […]
Cold Reality
We finally got our first real snap of cold winter weather recently. We all collectively groan and wish for spring. The cold reality, however, is that a large number of children in St. Louis do more than groan, they shiver. They shiver because they don’t have a warm winter coat. Even worse, because they don’t […]
Powerball Daydreaming
Like many others this past week my family purchased our lottery tickets and listened for the latest update on how big the prize was getting. $1,600,000,000!!! Almost too big to really understand. Yes, I did gaze at the ceiling and listed off oh the things I would do. I knew it was incredibly unlikely, but. […]
Of the People, By the People, For the People
We are in the beginning of our torturous presidential election cycle and I, like many others, dread the upcoming barrage of negative ads, fear mongering, lies and exaggerations. We deserve so much better and need to demand that what we have come to experience must stop. It reminds me of the quote by author Bernard […]
The Curious Promise of Limited Time
Singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomber used the phrase “the curious promise of limited time” in an interview with Krista Tippett’s On Being podcast and it struck me as we enter another new year. Each New Year comes with a sense of renewal, hope and the ability to see change in our lives. The practice of resolutions is […]
Why Not?
On Wednesday, November 4th we had the VIP Opening of the 24-1 Cinema where we were the first in the country to see the new James Bond movie Spectre. It was a great night! Leaders from the community along with funders, partners and friends were absolutely thrilled with the beautiful space and the fact that “we” had […]
Pope Francis and Our Collective Humanity
I happened to be in DC the week Pope Francis began his US visit. Aside from the places he was visiting, the city was eerily quiet. I was in meetings with the National NeighborWorks Association and NeighborWorks America so I could not attend any of the festivities. Like most of us, it was not hard […]
Affirmation Comes With Many Challenges
The Ferguson Commission just delivered their comprehensive report, Forward through Ferguson, A Path Toward Racial Equality to the governor. Within its pages, the thoughtful, detailed and blunt document calls out 189 action items on topics including education, economy, criminal justice and housing. At the heart of this report, one thing is emphatically clear – this is about […]
Reimagine
It goes without saying that our region is still in the midst of a revolution. Long time Detroit civil rights leader and organizer Grace Lee Boggs once said “every revolution gives a community a chance to reimagine their lives, their neighborhood, their future.” How will we do this right here, right now? Some may want small incremental […]
Big and Small
If We Truly Care About the Lives of Small Children, What Can We Do to Ensure That Their Dreams and Aspirations Come True? On Saturday, August 17th, I was fortunate to participate in two fantastic events that will provide great help to the children living in our 24:1 communities. One was really big and the […]
