Listen to Pat’s story here

Celebrating Patricia Hoban-Moore during Women’s History Month

Today, we’re honoring Patricia Hoban-Moore for the vital role she played in guiding Woodlawn United through a season of transition and preparing the next generation of leadership.

When Pat stepped in as interim executive director in 2019, Woodlawn United was at a turning point. Rather than bring in big changes, she chose to listen — to the staff, to residents, and to the community’s momentum. With decades of experience at HUD, Pat knew that effective leadership starts with humility and a willingness to meet people where they are.

“If you listen hard to the people in the community, they will tell you what’s in their heart and what their goals and aspirations are,”she said.
“Your job is to respond in a positive but careful way to help articulate their dreams.”

One of Pat’s most meaningful contributions was encouraging and mentoring Mashonda Taylor, now the President and CEO of Woodlawn United. She saw Mashonda’s leadership potential and made it her mission to help her step into that role.

“I told Mashonda, ‘Girl, you’ve got to get your name in there.’
When she went through the process, she was clearly the choice.
It was one of my proudest moments.”

Pat also helped refine the organization’s strategic plan, supported key initiatives like the launch of i3 Academy, and strengthened relationships with residents and local partners. She created space for the team to grow and lead with confidence.

She described Woodlawn as “a microcosm of what you want a community to be, one you can walk through and be proud of.”

And that’s exactly where we find ourselves today: a stronger, more connected Woodlawn, led by those who were empowered, encouraged, and equipped by the leaders who came before them.

Listen to Sally’s story here

Celebrating Sally Mackin during Women’s History Month

Today, we are honoring Sally Mackin for her foundational role in co-creating Woodlawn United. As the organization’s founding executive director, Sally helped bring together residents and community partners to build trust, shape a shared vision, and lay the groundwork for the collaborative work that continues today.

At a time when the future of Woodlawn United was still being imagined, Sally stepped in not with answers, but with humility and a commitment to listen. She had spent years in business and finance, but felt called to more purpose-driven work. That calling led her to Purpose Built Communities, and eventually to a meeting with Mike and Gillian Goodrich—where the early seeds of Woodlawn United began to take root.

From the beginning, Sally understood that true change wouldn’t come from top-down planning, but through building relationships—with residents, leaders, and the women who had long shaped the neighborhood. She and the team spent more than two years in conversation with residents before any physical changes began. Those early relationships shaped everything that followed.

Sally was also clear-eyed about the complexity of her role. “I mean, clearly, I’m a white woman coming into a predominantly Black neighborhood saying that we want to change it,” she said. “You boil it down, and that’s what we’re doing. Our hearts were in the right place. We wanted to make the changes that would benefit and uplift the community. We wanted to do it differently than it had been done before. We wanted to include the residents. We wanted to empower the community to do what it wanted to do to better itself. But still, that narrative had been written and implemented so many times, and there was mistrust—rightfully so.”

“Building that trust was the most rewarding and beneficial part of the work because there was no shortcut.”

One of Sally’s greatest contributions was helping unify different organizations under a single, community-centered narrative. “Each group had their own story,” she said. “We came together to write a new one—together.” It was not easy work, but it was necessary. The women of Woodlawn, in particular, were central to shaping that story. Their questions, stories, and expectations helped keep the work grounded.

“The strongest pieces of that tapestry were the women in the community,” Sally shared.
“We’ve lost several of them over the years. But the stories they held and told are what made up that community. Anytime we wanted to do something to uplift or improve the neighborhood, that’s where you went. You go to the women, the leaders in that neighborhood.”

Their wisdom and presence helped guide every decision, and their trust was earned through time and consistency. Sally often described them as the strong fabric you reach for when mending something worn—the durable thread that held the neighborhood together, even in difficult seasons.

Looking back on her leadership, Sally reflected, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The work is hard and sometimes lonely, but if you stay committed, it changes you. And it changes everything.”

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor Sally Mackin not just for her role in the beginning, but for how she chose to lead—with openness, deep listening, and a commitment to community voice. The path she helped pave made space for others to lead and for the work to continue forward with care, vision, and unity.

In Woodlawn, the heartbeat of the community has always been its women—the mothers, sisters, neighbors, and leaders who show up not only during celebrations, but in the everyday work of care. These are the women who hold families together, check on neighbors, decorate for holidays, and serve food with love. One of those women was Ms. Merchant.

A true matriarch, Ms. Merchant served as vice president of the Oak Ridge Park Neighborhood Association and president of the Harris Homes Resident Council. Her leadership was steady, hands-on, and rooted in pride. “She was always serving,” one neighbor recalled. “Always cooking, always making sure young women took pride in their community, and felt like where they lived mattered.”

She believed beauty and dignity should be part of everyday life, no matter your zip code. One of her most remembered sayings was, “It ain’t where you live, and you don’t have to have a whole lot of money. Just take pride in where you live and show concern for your community.” Whether organizing clean-up days or adding festive touches to porches, she helped others feel proud of their surroundings.

Decorating was one of the many ways she expressed care. At Harris Homes, she brought each season to life with lights, garland, and themed trees. These displays weren’t just decorations—they were reminders that everyone deserves to celebrate where they live.

At Oliver Elementary, where her grandchildren attended, Ms. Merchant was more than a familiar face. She volunteered at events, brought dresses for Black History Month programs, and made sure families knew when to join their children for Thanksgiving meals. When the fifth-grade class didn’t have white outfits for graduation, she gathered dresses, shirts, shoes, and accessories so every child could participate with pride. “There was nothing we couldn’t ask of her,” a staff member shared.

She also carried a sense of humor that stayed with people. She once called her stroller—used to carry supplies to and from events—her “Cadillac.” That small, joyful moment captured her spirit: resourceful, proud, and full of personality.

Even as she got older, she kept showing up in the ways she could. When she became ill, the school community sent her flowers. She sat on her porch smiling, surrounded by love.

Her absence at Sunday Dinner last year was deeply felt. “I looked into the crowd and she wasn’t there. That was hard,” one community leader said. “She had always been there.”

She was active in the PTA, brought treats for Teacher Appreciation Week, and always made sure the residents of Harris Homes were seen, supported, and included in conversations that too often left them out.

In a world where public housing communities are frequently overlooked, Ms. Merchant reminded us that leadership begins with presence. She was there. She cared. And her impact remains.

Woodlawn has always been carried by women like her—those who lead with heart, build trust, and care deeply for their neighbors. Women like Doris Jones, Vanessa Jones, Angela Washington, Marilyn Creer, Barnetta Eberhart, Brenda Holifield, Dr. Bertha Nettles, Alberteen Caver, Cassandra Allen, Rosalind Ashe-Gay, Joyce Thomas, Yolanda Flowers, Teretia Jones, Brenda Pettaway, Helen Davis, Valencia King, and Darlena King have each played meaningful roles in shaping the community’s story. Their dedication and presence continue to inspire.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate them all—the women we name, the women we remember, the women we see in every neighbor who gives their time, serves with care, and helps others rise. We also honor those whose names are not always spoken—the unseen women who shape our communities in quiet, powerful ways.

Strong communities are built by strong women. In Woodlawn, we honor their presence, their power, and the paths they’ve cleared for others.

On March 4, 2020, I was announced as the leader of Woodlawn United. The next day, on my 36th birthday, I stepped into not just a new year of life, but a new chapter of leadership. Today, as I celebrate another year, I reflect on the past five years of leading Woodlawn United—a journey filled with growth, challenges, and transformation. Just weeks after stepping into this role, the world shut down—testing my resilience, challenging my leadership, and pushing me to embrace what it truly means to stand firm and stay the course. In that moment, countless people reached out with belief, well wishes, and trust. I carried that with me—not just as encouragement but as a reminder of my responsibility to preserve what’s good, improve what needs change, and foster progress. Leadership, like salt and light, requires distinction—it’s about being a steady guide and bringing hope, even in uncertain times. Through difficult and, at times, unpopular decisions—prioritizing long-term impact over short-term comfort, shifting resources to ensure sustainability, and challenging the status quo to create meaningful change—I’ve seen the power of staying the course reflected in:

• $60M+ in investments fueling housing, economic growth, and infrastructure
• Expanding service reach from 5,000 to 8,000 residents
• Growing homeownership from 18% to 28%, creating pathways for generational stability
• 20+ new businesses launched, strengthening the local economy
• Achieving a 36% reduction in crime through holistic public safety efforts
• 40+ emerging leaders trained through the WE Lead Fellowship, many of whom are now driving change as community connectors, organizational leaders, and advocates for progress

None of this has been easy, and none of it has been done alone. A dedicated team, a committed Board of Directors, engaged residents, and strong partners have been instrumental in this progress. A special thank you to my family and friends who have stood by me, lifted me in prayer, reminded me of my strength, and given me space to just be. Your love and support have been a constant source of encouragement. As I celebrate another year of life and leadership, I believe the best is yet to come. To everyone who has walked this journey with me—thank you. Your belief in this work continues to fuel the mission. The work continues.