Neighborhood
Event Schedule
We are still finalizing plans with some of our fabulous participants. The schedule below is subject to change (timeslots, speaker lineups, etc.).
Tuesday, September 15
9:00 am – Registration
11:00 am – Tours of Local Initiatives
All tours will depart from the Grand Galvez, and you will need to select your tour when you register. Lunch will be provided.
There are limited numbers on all of the tours and some will fill up!
Environmental Preservation Tour
Join Karla Klay and Kevin Jones for a conversation and walking tour of a wetland worth protecting on this space-constrained island.
Kevin Jones
Neighborhood Economics
Karla Klay
Artist Boat
Faith & Impact Tour
Tim Soerens will be your guide as you explore the major impact that several faith communities are having as they turn outward to participate in the cultural and economic renewal underway across the city.
Tim Soerens
Neighborhood Economics
Black Heritage Tour
The City of Galveston is the birthplace of our country’s Juneteenth holiday. In a tour arranged by the Black-owned and -operated company Juneteenth and Beyond, Araminta Coleman Sorrell will visit significant African American cultural sites.
Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell
Juneteenth and Beyond
Harbor Boat Tour
Explore Galveston’s history and resilience from the water on this boat tour. From the Strand and the 1900 Storm to the seawall, jetties, hurricanes, and the future of coastal protection, discover how the island has continually innovated infrastructure to preserve life on the Gulf.
Braxton Martorano
Neighborhood Economics
Creative Economy Tour
How can a small city ensure its thriving community of artists receives the support and attention so important to their work? Antoinette Lynch and Johnny Steverson will show you around the scene.
Antoinette Lynch
City of Galveston
Johnny Steverson
WebTek Promotions
Alex Porretto
Galveston City Council
2:30 pm – Opening Plenary • Music Hall
Christine Bryant
Vision Galveston
Randall Kempner
Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition
Allen Woods
Mortar Cincinnati
Antonio Lovett-Grimm
Grimm Hot Sauce
Melynda Hart
Grimm Hot Sauce
Bonnie Harmanson
Lovejewel Treasure Treats
Karla Klay
Artist Boat
Candy Hattingh
Mortar Galveston
Rosa Lee Harden
Neighborhood Economics
Tim Soerens
Neighborhood Economics
Refreshment Break
4:15 pm – Breakouts
INVESTING IN LOCAL BUSINESS
DCIFs: Investing Where You Live
How Diversified Community Investment Funds (DCIFs) can be allocated toward local community development and ownership initiatives while being anchored by real estate investments.
Chris Miller
NC3
Tracy Hadden Loh
Brookings
Brian Beckon
PathLight Law
Sara Santa Cruz
Bridging Virginia
FAITH & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
When Faith Instutions Become Economic Catalysts
Explore why the Unitarian Universalist Association’s new impact fund invests in New Majority Capital’s entrepreneurship through acquistion buisness.
Dave Valentine
Unitarian Universalist Association
Kris Shumacher
New Majority Capital
Kelsey Russell
Brighter Investing
PROTECTING WORKFORCE HOUSING
Fighting Displacement & Adaptive Reuse
How is Galveston set to address workforce housing and displacement amid short-term rentals saturating the housing supply? In this breakout session we review local and national tools for housing solutions.
Christine Bryant
Vision Galveston
John Rutherford
Winstead PC
Clark Harris
New Chapter Ventures
Braxton Martorano
Neighborhood Economics
NEW MONEY IN THE ROOM
Texas Impact Capital Alliance
A new group has formed in Texas to bring together place-based investors.
Kate Knight
Phillips Foundation
Susybelle Gosslee
Episcopal Health Foundation
Marycruz De Leon
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Dennis Price
ImpactAlpha
5:30 pm – Reception & Entrepreneur Showcase • Ballroom B
Join us for an evening reception featuring products and food offerings from local entrepreneurs.
Wednesday, September 16
7:30 am – Optional Breakfast with Texas Impact Capital Alliance
At Neighborhood Economics, the Texas Impact Capital Alliance is hosting their very first gathering in front of the community it was built to serve! If you want to connect with TICA and learn what’s next in this new network, plan to attend this extra breakfast. You must pre-register here to participate.
8:00 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – Plenary Session • Music Hall
Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber
The Voices Project
David Erickson
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Tim Freundlich
CataCap & DAF Commons
Jeff Mendelsohn
LocalCode
Katherine Katcher
Thriving Communities Fund
Susybelle Gosslee
Episcopal Health Foundation & Texas Impact Capital Alliance
Aarion Josey
Good Life Psychiatry
Patrick Duggan
UCC Church Building & Loan Fund
Chris Miller
NC3
Brian Beckon
Pathlight Law
Tracy Hadden Loh
Brookings
Refreshment Break
’11:00 am – Breakouts
BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Climate Resilience: What, Why & How
What is climate resiliency and what are strategies deployed to address it? Take a dive into national models and research that help communities all around the world protect their homes.
Sam Brody
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Rebecca Marx
Urban Institute
NURTURING CULTURE & THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
Creative Funding For Creative Economies
Funding the creative economy is a significant challenge. This session explores creative avenues for supporting artists along with funding the infrastructure needed to support the arts at scale.
Brian Fernandes-Halloran
Halloran Philanthropies
Kimberly Puryear
Explore Asheville
Tim Soerens
Neighborhood Economics
Matt Eldridge
Realize Impact
FIGHT THE POWER
Subverting Redlining
In most cities and counties, poor neighborhoods subsidize more affluent neighborhoods’ property taxes. That injustice can be overcome when data meets activism.
Joe Minicozzi
Urban3
Kelwin Harris
Cook County Assessor's Office
Braxton Martorano
Neighborhood Economics
FAITH & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Faith-based Organizing for Economic Justice
How do communities of faith play a central role as their city deals with a pressing economic justice issue? Grassroots activist and national leaders point the way.
Willie Bennett
Episcopal Health Foundation
Kelley McRae
Song Rise Arts
Patrick Duggan
UCC Church Building & Loan Fund
Luke Lingle
New Chapter Ventures
Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber
The Voices Project
Lunch
1:15 pm – Breakouts
BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Where Storms Are the Norm
Galveston’s familiarity with climate disaster is one of the most pronounced in the United States. After a major storm in 1900, Galveston was literally raised by 12 feet. As storm intensity increases, bold new solutions will be required.
Sam Brody
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Anna Weiss
Bayou Land Conservancy
Randall Kempner
Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition
Will Wright
Galveston Historical Foundation
INVESTING IN LOCAL BUSINESS
The Essential Pieces that Make a DCIF Work
For a DCIF to be successful, first-time property developers often need training, the community needs to be engaged, and local investors need to understand the new story of investing where they live.
Derek Peebles
Common Good Alliance
Angela Barbash
Revalue
Tracy Hadden Loh
Brookings
Braxton Martorano
Neighborhood Economics
NEW MONEY IN THE ROOM
DAFs: A New Philanthropic Movement
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) can be the next step beyond foundations’ program-related investments. In this session we will explore what DAFs are and how practitioners are reimagining their potential for investment.
Katherine Katcher
Thriving Communities Fund
Tim Freundlich
CataCap & DAF Commons
Jeff Mendelsohn
LocalCode
Kevin Jones
Neighborhood Economics
Refreshment Break
2:30 pm – Breakouts
SUPPORTING NEW ENTREPRENEURS
Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Entrepreneurial support requires activating the community in support of the people building new businesses. Galveston leaders havebrought in the Mortar accelerator and are creating a follow-on fund to help their graduates grow to the next level.
Jay Nwachu
Innovation Works
Allen Woods
Mortar Cincinnati
Jeremiah Robinson
Dogwood Health Trust
FIGHT THE POWER
Saying No to Big Tech
The people in Taylor, Texas, don’t want a data center, let alone on land that was set aside as a park for a Black neighborhood. Meanwhile, residents and businesses are being displaced by unfair taxes. A local church is in the middle of a coalition fighting for justice.
Eric Moen
Episcopal Health Foundation
Kelley McRae
Song Rise Arts
Pamela Griffin
South Taylor Resident
Carrie D'Anna
Photographer
Tim Soerens
Neighborhood Economics
NEW MONEY IN THE ROOM
RIAs: Paving the Way to Impact Ecosystems
Impact investing can be aimed at local solutions like DCIF funds. Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) explain how they help their clients understand this new locally focused investing.
Kevin Jones
Neighborhood Economics
Angela Barbash
Revalue
Kelsey Russell
Brighter Investing
Refreshment Break
3:45 pm – Closing Plenary • Music Hall
Leroy Barber
The Voices Project
Jenny Everett
Purpose Trust Ownership Network
Joe Minicozzi
Urban3
Fallon Dupard
It's Bourbon Baby
Matt Hull
Texas Community Capital
Kevin Jones
Neighborhood Economics
Braxton Martorano
Neighborhood Economics
5:30 pm – Food Truck Party • Beach Central
Neighborhood Economics gatherings are known for their parties. Meet new colleagues, enjoy delicious food and beautiful views, and have a little fun before traveling home.
Thursday, September 17 | Add-On Climate Resilience Workshop
8:00–11:00 am – Breakfast & Participatory Workshop
Climate Resilience, Continued
A follow-on climate workshop sponsored by the Kempner Fund and led by climate resiliency professional Kristen McConnell and Urban Institute researcher Rebecca Marx is open to all conference attendees. This two-hour workshop will build on themes explored during the conference and help participants apply climate-resiliency ideas to their own communities.
Rebecca Marx
Urban Institute
Kristen McConnell
Independent Consultant
