The Build from Within Alliance exemplifies how communities can reclaim their narrative and create opportunities by empowering local entrepreneurship and fostering economic resilience. Its mission demonstrates that true prosperity comes from investing in the talents and energy of residents. This year, ProsperUs Detroit joined 15 other community economic development organizations at the 2024 Build from Within Alliance convening in Wilmington, Delaware. Together, we shared strategies, strengthened collaborations, and explored innovative ways to reverse systemic disinvestment and empower historically under-resourced neighborhoods across the United States. The organizations present included:
- Anchorage Community Land Trust
- Northeast Native Development Fund
- Montbello Organizing Committee
- Canopy
- Incubate Neighborhood Center
- Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative
- Emancipation Economic Development Council
- Venture Café
- Neighborhood Development Center
- Fund 17
- The Welcoming Center
- Neighborhood Progress FundInitiative Foundation
- Centerstate Corporation For Economic Opportunity
- Launcher Community Business Resources, who hosted this year’s convening
During the 2024 Convening, members of the ProsperUs team participated in an advocacy day in Washington D.C., highlighting the organization’s commitment to advancing systemic change. Represented by Paul Jones (Chief Executive Officer), Joanna Dueweke-Perez (Chief Operations Officer), Steve Tobocman (Board Treasurer), and Chanell Scott-Contreras (Board Member), the team visited several congressional offices, including that of Representative Rashida Tlaib. Guided by the principles of BfWA, these discussions centered on the importance of investing in historically disinvested communities through inclusive, community-driven approaches. By fostering thoughtful partnerships and advocating for policies that prioritize neighborhoods and long-term residents, ProsperUs joined efforts to ensure sustainable growth, job creation, and improved quality of life for under-resourced communities.
Being part of an event of this magnitude was a meaningful opportunity for the ProsperUs team. The convening provided an ideal framework for collaboration, where groups united under a shared goal, exchanging ideas to guide our communities toward economic resilience. One of our biggest takeaways as a team was recognizing the vital role of trusted connectors in driving our work forward. The inspiring stories shared by other members across the nation motivate us us to continue building partnerships that empower our region’s neighborhoods and drive meaningful change, ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic justice for all.
