This groundbreaking was years in the making, and worth the wait.

The vision for these homes began back in 2019. Then came the global pandemic. Plans slowed, costs climbed, and progress came to a halt. But the need for safe, affordable housing in Woodlawn never went away.

When the world opened back up, our team went back to work. Staff members Joe Ayers and Leigh Hancock re-engaged every partner and renegotiated every detail. Their persistence ensured the project stayed alive. And in many ways, the delay brought an unexpected silver lining. With time came new opportunities for support. The City of Birmingham and the Alabama Housing Finance Authority stepped in with additional resources, strengthening the project for the future.

Last week, that persistence paid off. More than 100 neighbors, stakeholders, elected officials, business leaders, and nonprofit partners gathered, some traveling from as far as Huntsville, to witness the groundbreaking at The Cottages on Georgia Road. What could have been just another ceremony became a true community celebration.

“This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It’s the beginning of new possibilities for families in Woodlawn. We are deeply grateful to our partners who share our vision of creating thriving, connected communities.”

— Mashonda S. Taylor, President & CEO, Woodlawn United

This milestone was made possible through the power of partnership. Together with Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, the City of Birmingham, SouthState Bank, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Syms Contractors, Dynamic Civil Solutions, and Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds, we are building toward a vision where every resident has access to safe, affordable housing and a true sense of belonging.

The Cottages are more than buildings. They represent stability for families, opportunity for growth, and a future where Woodlawn continues to thrive. What began as plans on paper is now a living promise, a promise that together, we can create homes that nurture both people and community.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when people stay committed, remain present, and continue showing up for their community.

At Woodlawn United, we’ve spent the last 15 years walking alongside neighbors, partners, and advocates with a shared vision: to help this community thrive in place. That vision has taken shape not just through plans and programs, but through people. People who serve. People who lead. People who believe.

One of those people is Mashonda Taylor.

Thirteen years ago, Mashonda joined Woodlawn United as an office administrator. Today, she serves as President and CEO. Her steady commitment over the years has helped shape the organization’s growth and deepen its connection to the neighborhood we serve.

“Every step of this journey has been guided by trust, community, and an unwavering belief in the power of place.” — Mashonda Taylor

Her exceptional leadership has garnered widespread recognition. In 2023, she was named Non-Profit CEO of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal. She is also a 2023 Leadership Birmingham Class member, a Class I member of the Alabama Leadership Initiative, a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, a 2025 Mosaic Fellow with Mosaic Changemakers, and a charter member of the National Council of Negro Women – Birmingham Chapter.

Her path is just one part of the story, but it reflects the values that have made our progress possible: consistency, humility, and a commitment to the people who make up Woodlawn.

  Over a Decade of Steady Growth

Over the last 15 years, we’ve worked together to make long-term, community-rooted progress. Here’s what that progress looks like:

• – Grown service reach from 5,000 to 8,000 residents
• – Increased the partner network from 40 to more than 70 organizations
• – Built and supported community assets including housing, schools, and infrastructure
• – Developed mixed-income housing to expand access to quality, affordable homes
• – Launched more than 20 new businesses, strengthening the local economy
• – Increased homeownership from 18% to 28%, building generational stability
• – Reduced crime by 36% through holistic public safety efforts
• – Created and advanced public policy that reflects community priorities
• – Helped change charter school legislation to give Woodlawn residents enrollment priority
• – Hosted policymakers from across the Southeast to share local strategies
• – Hosted the Purpose Built Communities ® conference in 2016 and 2020
• – Expanded wraparound support across the entire Woodlawn feeder pattern
• – Graduated more than 50 emerging leaders through the WE Lead program

  These milestones are a reflection of what’s possible when we build with, not for, the community. The progress we’ve made reflects years of collective effort, steady leadership, and a shared belief in what this neighborhood can become.   Join Us in Celebration

On Saturday, October 4, we’ll gather to celebrate 15 years of Woodlawn United at our signature event, Woodlawn Saturday Supper. This isn’t just a meal. It’s a moment to reflect, reconnect, and honor the people and progress that got us here.

We’ll be back on the block at Woodlawn Street Market with food, music, storytelling, and space for neighbors and partners to come together.

Want to see what makes this event special?

Catch the energy from last year on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBJl6ymRzdP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate how far we’ve come and look ahead to what’s possible next.

Message to Woodlawn United Board Members and Community on the Passing of Tom Cousins

 

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Tom Cousins at the age of ninety-three. Tom was a great friend and mentor. In 1995, he established the East Lake Foundation to revitalize the East Lake neighborhood, one of Atlanta’s most dilapidated communities at the time.

When I retired in 2008, Gillian and I visited Tom and his wife, Ann. Tom explained his holistic model of neighborhood revitalization: an education pipeline from cradle to college and career, mixed-income housing, and wraparound services, all essential components of a vital and vibrant neighborhood. He later created Purpose Built Communities®, inspired by the East Lake model, to help revitalize neighborhoods across the country.

That visit sparked the beginning of what would become Woodlawn United. Gillian and I began planning its creation based on the Purpose Built Communities model. Today, the Woodlawn neighborhood stands alongside nearly thirty others as part of the Purpose Built Communities Network. These communities are now vibrant and thriving thanks to Tom’s vision and passion.

Tom was a unique individual who not only had the foresight to dream of a better future but also the determination and ability to bring those dreams to life.

We will miss Tom dearly and send our deepest condolences to his wife, Ann, and the entire Cousins family.

  T. Michael Goodrich, Sr.

Founding Chairman, Woodlawn United

A Message from our Director of Advocacy and Engagement 

At Woodlawn United, we believe real change starts with presence — listening closely to residents and working together to shape policies that reflect real needs. That belief came to life as we hosted a delegation of lawmakers during this year’s Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), right here in the heart of Woodlawn.

The SLC brought together legislators from across the Southeast to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore the issues impacting the people and places we serve. As one of the selected host sites, Woodlawn United had the opportunity to spotlight the power of place-based work and community-rooted partnerships.

Our President & CEO, Mashonda S. Taylor, moderated a timely and impactful fireside chat on how public policy shapes neighborhoods and quality of life. The panel featured Rep. Leigh Hulsey, Rep. Neil Rafferty, Rep. Kelvin Datcher, and Sen. Robert Stewart — leaders focused on shaping policy through the lens of impact and inclusion.

Together, they explored how policy intersects with daily realities like housing, education, infrastructure, and economic opportunity. Whether in Birmingham or in rural communities across Alabama, the issues may look different — but the core challenges (and the opportunities) are often the same.

Proximity is power. When we’re close to the problems, we can co-create solutions that are effective, sustainable, and rooted in trust. The issues residents bring forward — affordable housing, quality schools, safe streets, reliable transit — aren’t theoretical. They’re real, and they deserve policy grounded in empathy and shared vision.

The Conference reminded us that deep listening matters. Not just to data, but to people. It also created space to build meaningful relationships with legislators who are committed to doing this work alongside communities. Good policy is a team effort. And when residents, elected leaders, and organizations like Woodlawn United move together, real transformation is possible.

We’re thankful to the Southern Legislative Conference for giving us the space to share our story — and even more energized by what’s ahead. When policy and proximity align, lasting change takes root.

Last night, I received a message from Mariohn Michel, Executive Director of Breakthrough Birmingham. She invited me to join her and the summer fellows for a visit to Equal Justice Initiative and its National Monument to Freedom. At first, I wasn’t sure I would make it. My schedule has been full, and the morning was creeping in fast. But I had given my word—and I believe in honoring my word. So this morning, I got myself together, cleared my mind, and joined them. And I’m so glad I did. Every summer, Mariohn leads an incredible program that brings college students—freshmen through seniors—from across the country to Birmingham. These fellows serve as mentors and teachers to rising seventh, eighth, and ninth graders, helping them avoid the all-too-common summer learning loss. Some of these fellows are from places like DC or Chicago, but many are products of our own Birmingham City Schools. They’ve left for college, but there’s something about this program, about this city, that draws them back. I had the opportunity to sit next to Brielle on the bus. A proud graduate of Ramsay High School (go Rams!) and now a political science major at American University, she represents the best of what’s possible when our students are nurtured and supported. As we talked, she asked whether she should consider a dual degree or minor in economics. Without hesitation, I said yes. I shared with her my belief that to shape a better future, especially for Black and Brown communities, we need to prioritize four things: people, place, policies, and economics. Too often, we’ve been left out of the rooms where decisions about business ownership, generational wealth, and homeownership are made. If we’re going to shift that, we need more leaders who understand how those systems work—and who are willing to disrupt them for good. As our conversation continued, I told her about my recent visit to Harvard and our discussions on walkable cities. Her eyes lit up—she’d already been researching walkable cities on her own time. She talked about what she loved about DC: the walkability, the access to culture, the freedom to move and connect. When I asked what it would take for her to return to Birmingham after college, she said, “That’s a loaded question.” I didn’t need the answer right then. What mattered was planting the seed. Because rebuilding communities doesn’t just happen from the top down—it’s co-curated. It’s shaped by people who left and are willing to return. But we have to ask: what are we bringing them back to? Throughout the day, I also met two young women from Jamaica and Nigeria, both students at Talladega College. They came to the U.S. because they wanted an HBCU experience—and they chose Alabama to find it. Their global perspectives add such depth to our local conversations, reminding me that leadership doesn’t always start at home, but it often finds its way there. After walking through the Sculpture Park, Mariohn gathered us in a circle and asked each person to share a word or phrase that captured what they were feeling. No repeats. The words filled the air: legacy, seen, powerful, inspired. And standing in the middle of that circle, I realized—these young people are not just learning to lead. They are leading. So today, I want to say thank you. Thank you to Mariohn Michel for your leadership, vision, and commitment to nurturing the next generation. Thank you to Breakthrough Birmingham for creating a space where students don’t just return—they rise. And thank you to the fellows. Your brilliance, your questions, your courage to come back home (or make this place your own) gives me so much hope. The future isn’t waiting—it’s already in motion. And it looks a lot like the bus ride I took today: full of passion, promise, and purpose.      

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!

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.