Neighborhood
Economics

Grand Galvez Resort

Galveston, TX | Sep 15–16, 2026

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.

Picture of Karla Klay
Karla Klay

Artist Boat

Picture of Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones

Neighborhood Economics

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.

Picture of Tim Soerens
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. 

Picture of Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell
Dr. Araminta Coleman Sorrell

Juneteenth and Beyond

Harbor Boat Tour

This unique tour will probably give you a glimpse of the dolphins for which Galveston Harbor is famous. More importantly, it will spark conversations about the challenges barrier islands face as they content with climate change.

Picture of Braxton Martorano
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.

Picture of Antoinette Lynch
Antoinette Lynch

City of Galveston

Picture of Johnny Steverson
Johnny Steverson

WebTek Promotions

2:30 pm – Opening Plenary • Music Hall

The following speakers (and more!) will be involved in the three plenary sessions at our Galveston gathering of the Neighborhood Economics network.

Picture of Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber
Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber

The Voices Project

Picture of David Erickson
David Erickson

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Picture of Christine Bryant
Christine Bryant

Vision Galveston

Picture of Randall Kempner
Randall Kempner

Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition

Picture of Allen Woods
Allen Woods

Mortar Cincinnati

Picture of Antonio Lovett
Antonio Lovett

Grimm Hot Sauce

Picture of Melynda Hart
Melynda Hart

Grimm Hot Sauce

Picture of Rosa Lee Harden
Rosa Lee Harden

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Tim Freundlich
Tim Freundlich

CataCap & ImpactAssets

Picture of Bonnie Harmonson
Bonnie Harmonson

Lovejewel Treasure Treats

Picture of Jeff Mendelsohn
Jeff Mendelsohn

LocalCode

Picture of Karla Klay
Karla Klay

Artist Boat

Picture of Katherine Katcher
Katherine Katcher

Multi Donor Advised Fund

Picture of Aarion Josey
Aarion Josey

Good Life Psychiatry

Picture of Jenny Everett
Jenny Everett

Purpose Trust

Picture of Joe Minicozzi
Joe Minicozzi

Urban3

Picture of Chris Miller
Chris Miller

NC3

Picture of Tracy Hadden Loh
Tracy Hadden Loh

Brookings

Picture of Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Fallon Dupard
Fallon Dupard

It's Bourbon Baby

Picture of Braxton Martorano
Braxton Martorano

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Robyn Murphy
Robyn Murphy

Texas Community Capital

Picture of Matt Hull
Matt Hull

Texas Community Capital

Picture of Kate Knight
Kate Knight

Phillips Foundation

3:30 pm – Refreshment Break
4:00 pm – Breakouts

INVESTING IN LOCAL BUSINESS

Diversified Community Investment Funds

How DCIFs can be allocated toward local community development and ownership initiatives while being anchored by real estate investments.

Picture of Chris Miller
Chris Miller

NC3

Picture of Tracy Hadden Loh
Tracy Hadden Loh

Brookings

Picture of Brian Beckon
Brian Beckon

PathLight Law

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.

Picture of Susybelle Gosslee
Susybelle Gosslee

Episcopal Health Foundation

Picture of Kelley McRae
Kelley McRae

Song Rise Arts

Picture of Patrick Duggan
Patrick Duggan

UCC Church Building & Loan Fund

Picture of Tim Soerens
Tim Soerens

Neighborhood Economics

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. 

Picture of Jay Nwachu
Jay Nwachu

Innovation Works

Picture of Allen Woods
Allen Woods

Mortar Cincinnati

Picture of Jeremiah Robinson
Jeremiah Robinson

Dogwood Health Trust

5:30 pm – Reception & Entrepreneur Showcase • Ballroom B / Terrace

Join us for an evevning 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 preregister here to participate.

8:00 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00 am – Plenary Session • Music Hall

The following speakers (and more!) will be involved in the three plenary sessions at our Galveston gathering of the Neighborhood Economics network.

Picture of Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber
Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber

The Voices Project

Picture of David Erickson
David Erickson

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Picture of Christine Bryant
Christine Bryant

Vision Galveston

Picture of Randall Kempner
Randall Kempner

Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition

Picture of Allen Woods
Allen Woods

Mortar Cincinnati

Picture of Antonio Lovett
Antonio Lovett

Grimm Hot Sauce

Picture of Melynda Hart
Melynda Hart

Grimm Hot Sauce

Picture of Rosa Lee Harden
Rosa Lee Harden

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Tim Freundlich
Tim Freundlich

CataCap & ImpactAssets

Picture of Bonnie Harmonson
Bonnie Harmonson

Lovejewel Treasure Treats

Picture of Jeff Mendelsohn
Jeff Mendelsohn

LocalCode

Picture of Karla Klay
Karla Klay

Artist Boat

Picture of Katherine Katcher
Katherine Katcher

Multi Donor Advised Fund

Picture of Aarion Josey
Aarion Josey

Good Life Psychiatry

Picture of Jenny Everett
Jenny Everett

Purpose Trust

Picture of Joe Minicozzi
Joe Minicozzi

Urban3

Picture of Chris Miller
Chris Miller

NC3

Picture of Tracy Hadden Loh
Tracy Hadden Loh

Brookings

Picture of Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Fallon Dupard
Fallon Dupard

It's Bourbon Baby

Picture of Braxton Martorano
Braxton Martorano

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Robyn Murphy
Robyn Murphy

Texas Community Capital

Picture of Matt Hull
Matt Hull

Texas Community Capital

Picture of Kate Knight
Kate Knight

Phillips Foundation

10:30 am – Refreshment Break
11:00 am – Breakouts

BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Climate Resilience: What, Why & How

What is the comprehensive plan to Galveston’s climate resiliency now and into the future? Explore some of this coastal city’s emerging strategies.

Picture of Dr. Sam Brody
Dr. Sam Brody

Texas A&M University at Galveston

Picture of Rebecca Marx
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.

Picture of Brian Fernandes-Halloran
Brian Fernandes-Halloran

Halloran Philanthropies

Picture of Kimberly Puryear
Kimberly Puryear

Explore Asheville

Picture of Tim Soerens
Tim Soerens

Neighborhood Economics

Matt Eldridge

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.

Picture of Susybelle Gosslee
Susybelle Gosslee

Episcopal Health Foundation

Picture of Kelley McRae
Kelley McRae

Song Rise Arts

Picture of Carrie D'Anna
Carrie D'Anna

Photographer

NEW MONEY IN THE ROOM

Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds 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.

Picture of Katherine Katcher
Katherine Katcher

Multi Donor Advised Fund

Picture of Tim Freundlich
Tim Freundlich

CataCap & ImpactAssets

Picture of Jeff Mendelsohn
Jeff Mendelsohn

LocalCode

12:00 pm – Lunch 
1:00 pm – Breakouts

NEW MONEY IN THE ROOM

Texas Impact Capital Alliance

A new group has formed in Texas to bring together place-based investors.

Picture of Kate Knight
Kate Knight

Phillips Foundation

Picture of Susybelle Gosslee
Susybelle Gosslee

Episcopal Health 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.

Picture of Derek Peebles
Derek Peebles

American Sustainable Business Network

Picture of Angela Barbash
Angela Barbash

Revalue

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.

Picture of Joe Minicozzi
Joe Minicozzi

Urban3

Picture of Kelwin Harris
Kelwin Harris

Cook County Assessor's Office

Picture of Tim Soerens
Tim Soerens

Neighborhood Economics

2:00 pm – Refreshment Break

2:30 pm – Breakouts

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.

Picture of Luke Lingle
Luke Lingle

New Chapter Ventures

Picture of Patrick Duggan
Patrick Duggan

UCC Church Building & Loan Fund

Picture of Christine Bryant
Christine Bryant

Vision Galveston

Picture of John Rutherford
John Rutherford

Winstead PC

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.

Picture of Dr. Sam Brody
Dr. Sam Brody

Texas A&M University at Galveston

Picture of Dr. Anna Weiss
Dr. Anna Weiss
Picture of Randall Kempner
Randall Kempner

Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition

Picture of Will Wright
Will Wright

Galveston Historical Foundation

NEW MONEY IN THE ROOM

Registered Investment Advisors: Paving the Way to Impact Ecosystems

Impact investing can be aimed at local solutions like the DCIF funds. Money managers explain how they help their clients understand this new locally focused investing.

Picture of Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Angela Barbash
Angela Barbash

Revalue

Picture of Kelsey Russell
Kelsey Russell

Brighter Investing

3:30 pm – Refreshment Break

3:45 pm – Closing Plenary • Music Hall

The following speakers (and more!) will be involved in the three plenary sessions at our Galveston gathering of the Neighborhood Economics network.

Picture of Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber
Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber

The Voices Project

Picture of David Erickson
David Erickson

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Picture of Christine Bryant
Christine Bryant

Vision Galveston

Picture of Randall Kempner
Randall Kempner

Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition

Picture of Allen Woods
Allen Woods

Mortar Cincinnati

Picture of Antonio Lovett
Antonio Lovett

Grimm Hot Sauce

Picture of Melynda Hart
Melynda Hart

Grimm Hot Sauce

Picture of Rosa Lee Harden
Rosa Lee Harden

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Tim Freundlich
Tim Freundlich

CataCap & ImpactAssets

Picture of Bonnie Harmonson
Bonnie Harmonson

Lovejewel Treasure Treats

Picture of Jeff Mendelsohn
Jeff Mendelsohn

LocalCode

Picture of Karla Klay
Karla Klay

Artist Boat

Picture of Katherine Katcher
Katherine Katcher

Multi Donor Advised Fund

Picture of Aarion Josey
Aarion Josey

Good Life Psychiatry

Picture of Jenny Everett
Jenny Everett

Purpose Trust

Picture of Joe Minicozzi
Joe Minicozzi

Urban3

Picture of Chris Miller
Chris Miller

NC3

Picture of Tracy Hadden Loh
Tracy Hadden Loh

Brookings

Picture of Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Fallon Dupard
Fallon Dupard

It's Bourbon Baby

Picture of Braxton Martorano
Braxton Martorano

Neighborhood Economics

Picture of Robyn Murphy
Robyn Murphy

Texas Community Capital

Picture of Matt Hull
Matt Hull

Texas Community Capital

Picture of Kate Knight
Kate Knight

Phillips Foundation

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.

View of Galveston beach & boardwalk