A Message from our Economic Vitality Director
Eight years ago, my family and I opened Club Duquette—a lifestyle brand and storefront that took root in the heart of Woodlawn. It was more than a business; it was a gathering space, a place for community, and a practice in listening and learning. Woodlawn didn’t just shape our brand—it shaped me. So when the opportunity came to build out the Economic Vitality component with Woodlawn United, stepping back in felt like a natural continuation of the journey.
This week, I spoke on a panel for Small Business Week on Nonprofits, hosted by the City of Birmingham’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development. The conversation was moderated by Carlos Aleman, CEO of HICA, and featured Angela Abdur-Rasheed, Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Prosper. Both brought grounded, forward-thinking perspectives shaped by deep experience in community advocacy and cross-sector collaboration. Their contributions moved the discussion beyond abstract goals and into the real, lived dynamics of economic and cultural growth. It was a chance to reflect on how nonprofits show up in this ecosystem—not just as service providers, but as co-builders in economic development. I shared answers to some of the very questions that shape our work: How are we building with, not just for? Are we creating space for local identity to thrive? Are we making sure local business owners and residents have a voice in shaping what comes next?
Before that, I spoke on a panel for the Alabama Leadership Initiative alongside other Woodlawn United team members. And just recently, I had the honor of attending the Purpose Built Communities conference. Across all of it, one truth echoed: transformation doesn’t happen in silos. It starts with place—with where you are, who you’re building with, and whether you're truly listening.
What I saw at Purpose Built was proof that dreaming big works—but only when rooted in the community’s own stories, partnerships, and belief systems. It reminded me of something we’ve always known in Woodlawn: legacy is everything. It’s the soul of a neighborhood. And when you build from within, when you honor the identity of a place, you attract the kind of businesses that don’t just show up—they stay.
Economic development can’t just be about shiny new buildings. If we build without small business at the center, we risk losing the very culture that makes our cities vibrant. Small businesses are the heart of the city. They tell its story. They offer the kind of texture and welcome that big box stores never could. Money can help you grow—but identity helps you last.
So here’s where we are now: building the ecosystem with intention. Supporting the businesses already here. Attracting new partners who are ready to align with the values of the community—not extract from it. It’s about living wages, welcoming spaces, and public-private partnerships rooted in real trust.
The best collaborations feel like family—messy, real, but rooted in belief. In Woodlawn, we believe in dreaming big withour community. Because you can’t transform a place unless you’re willing to be transformed by it.
And Woodlawn? It’s still transforming me.
Together, we’re not just building businesses—we’re building a future where every resident sees their story in the success of Woodlawn.
If you’re a partner, business owner, resident, or someone who believes in the power of place, we invite you to join us. Let’s build a community where everyone thrives!