The Urban Development Accelerator Pilot Program Wraps in New York City
The Urban Development Accelerator (UDA) held the final convening of its inaugural cohort in New York City, NY, on October 30-31, 2024. Affiliate leaders came together at the National Urban Lague’s headquarters to reflect on their experiences throughout the program, refine their visions and affirm their commitment to stimulate their communities using the knowledge and resources gained.
Facilitators anchored the convening in five key takeaways captured through the year-long program:
- Leverage your assets to achieve your goals.
- Know your worth and use it.
- Find power in being a convenor.
- Develop strategic partnerships.
- Seek technical assistance early and often.
Throughout the pilot, participating affiliates identified their strengths as convenors, community leaders, and community partners, recognizing that strong relationships are the foundation for any successful development project. Their deep-rooted connections within their communities – something only the Urban League can uniquely harness – remain a powerful asset. At the same time, leaders acknowledged the importance of seeking out technical expertise when necessary, understanding that trusted partners help bridge educational and experiential gaps, accelerating and amplifying their projects.
After reflecting on their journeys and development visions, the cohort heard from Dennis Serrette, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of the National Urban League, who shared insights on the conception and execution of Project New Home – the National Urban League’s new historic headquarters building in Harlem. This transformative project, which includes an Urban Civil Rights Museum, affordable housing, offices, and retail space, serves as a project that inspires the movement. Learning about Project New Home further galvanized affiliate leaders’ confidence and conviction to engage and lead development efforts in their own communities.
Mr. Serrette reinforced key themes highlighted throughout the UDA program, including:
- Refining one’s vision as a critical strategy for successful development. The way a story is told and the partners involved are crucial to execution.
- Understanding strengths and identifying knowledge gaps, while proactively seeking resources to fill those gaps.
- Leveraging assets, including board members and their expertise. Boards play a key role in decision making and identifying how they can contribute to successful execution.
Mr. Serrette’s mantras instilled a renewed confidence in affiliates – development is not just something that the Urban League can do; it is what the movement must do. The Urban League is strategically positioned to drive increased black ownership and economic empowerment in communities nationwide.
At UDA’s first convening, affiliate leaders expressed concerns about the risks of investing in real estate development. While those risks remain, participants now feel exponentially more prepared to manage them. New partnerships, skills, staff, and coalitions formed throughout the program have strengthened their confidence and capacity to take bold action.
Ultimately, affiliate leaders voiced that this experience transformed their mindsets, boosted their confidence, positioned them in new conversations, connected them to resources within the movement, and brought clarity to their visions. The cohort fostered a sense of vulnerability, support and safety, allowing participants to share both their strengths and weaknesses throughout their development journey. UDA empowered them to dream bigger and embrace the confidence that they not only deserve a seat at the table but truly belong there. If not us, then who? We are the solutions to the challenges we seek to overcome.