How One Gathering Sparked National Ripples
What Attendees Are Saying
“It was a delight to gather with so many like-minded people who are not only passionate about making a positive impact in the world; they have taken proactive steps to do so.”
“I have never been in a space where faith communities and economic development organizations worked together in this way. I was deeply encouraged by the work people have done in their neighborhoods and cities to love marginalized communities.”
“Neighborhood Economics always reminds me that I am not alone in doing this work, that there is a growing number of people who want to make changes in their communities. I always leave encouraged.”
“Attending the Neighborhood Economics conference was an eye-opening and enriching experience. I connected with mission-aligned partners I hadn’t previously been aware of; I left with practical tools, deeper insight, and a renewed commitment to driving equitable economic development in my community.”
From Insight to Action
“The experience at Neighborhood Economics was eye-opening on many levels. We were exposed to more areas of ministry than we even knew were possible. The most impressive to me was property tax inequality. It has spurred me to reach out to a friend at the Texas Real Estate Research Center.”
“The first time I attended Neighborhood Economics, I was a graduate student at Jackson State University… Not only was I affirmed by fellow church members in attendance that I belonged, but I also really connected with the conversations… Attending (in Asheville) as a research assistant professor at Tennessee State gave me a firsthand look at a resilient community’s methods to restore infrastructure following extreme weather.”
The Vision Behind the Work
Back in 2014, Kevin and I realized that while SOCAP had succeeded globally in promoting impact investing, local communities needed something different, something focused on zip code-level change. That’s where Neighborhood Economics was born: an interdisciplinary gathering designed to bring together impact investors, grassroots organizations, and faith communities to generate real local outcomes within a year of each event.
One Story Among Many
Something that began in Asheville, research on the legacy of redlining was picked up and presented at our next gathering in Jackson. That led to interest in San Antonio, where it became the seed of a new partnership, which eventually returned full circle to Asheville. These stories are more than case studies, they’re proof that change is possible when people come together with purpose.
If we keep telling these stories, and if they keep spreading, then we just might become the change we all want to see.
📣 Join the Movement
Ready to be part of the next ripple? Register for our upcoming Neighborhood Economics event or share your story of local impact to inspire others.