About – BLDG Memphis

Who We Are

About BLDG Memphis

BLDG Memphis is a community development association working to strengthen Memphis neighborhoods by supporting members, advocating for equitable policies, building capacity, and activating civic engagement.

We bring together community development corporations, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood leaders, public partners, financial institutions, and civic stakeholders committed to creating vibrant, people-centered communities across Memphis.

Our Mission

BLDG Memphis is a community development association that fosters self-sufficient Memphis neighborhoods by strengthening our members and their communities, advocating for equitable policies, and activating civic engagement.

Our Story

Our History

Founded in 1999 as the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis, BLDG Memphis has spent more than 25 years supporting neighborhood revitalization and strengthening the community development sector.

Over time, the organization has grown into a member association and organizing table for community development organizations, neighborhood leaders, partners, and advocates working together to improve quality of life in Memphis neighborhoods. Today, BLDG Memphis is building on that legacy with renewed leadership, a strengthened membership model, and a forward-looking commitment to cultivate thriving, people-centered communities.

1999

Founded as the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis, establishing a network for neighborhood revitalization.

2000s

Expanded partnerships and advocacy efforts, building the community development network across Memphis neighborhoods.

2020s

Pivoted through a season of change, rebranded as BLDG Memphis, and launched new member-centered programs including New City Builders, the Community Navigator Pilot Program, and the Member Advisory Group.

2024

Adopted the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan rooted in a ‘Power With’ framework, celebrating 25 years of community development impact.

2026

Building Memphis Forward begins as BLDG Memphis enters a renewed season of leadership, membership, and partnership focused on strengthening organizations, elevating policy priorities, and cultivating thriving neighborhoods across Memphis.

WHAT GUIDES OUR WORK

Our Values

BLDG Memphis exists to cultivate thriving neighborhoods through Community Development Corporations and Organizations by expanding capital, building capacity, elevating policy, and convening partners. These values guide how we do that work.

COMMUNITY-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

Neighborhood change should be shaped by the people who live, work, organize, and lead in those communities.

STRONG LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Thriving neighborhoods require strong CDCs, CDOs, neighborhood groups, and resident-centered organizations with the tools, capacity, and relationships to lead.

Resident Voice

Residents must have voice, visibility, and power in the decisions that shape their neighborhoods.

Equitable Policy

Public policy and public investment should reflect neighborhood priorities and help remove barriers to equitable community development.

Collaboration

Lasting neighborhood change requires aligned partners, shared learning, and coordinated action across sectors.

Shared Responsibility

Community development is shared work. Strong neighborhoods are built through collective responsibility, trust, accountability, and long-term commitment.

Ecosystem Role

Our Role in the Ecosystem

BLDG Memphis serves as a member association and organizing table for Memphis’ community development ecosystem. We connect organizations, neighborhood leaders, residents, public partners, funders, and aligned institutions to build capacity, elevate policy, expand access to resources, and strengthen neighborhood-centered development.

OUR ROLE

BUILD CAPACITY

Strengthen organizations and leaders to increase impact in neighborhoods.

ELEVATE POLICY

Advance equitable policy solutions that reflect community priorities.

CONVENE PARTNERS

Bring people and institutions together to align, collaborate, and drive change.

CONNECT RESOURCES

Link members to resources, knowledge, and opportunities that fuel progress.

Our Work

A Clear Path to Stronger Neighborhoods

Every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. But in Memphis, many communities have long faced disinvestment, inequitable development, and barriers to the resources, relationships, and decision-making power needed to shape their futures.

At BLDG Memphis, we believe neighborhoods know what they need, and the organizations closest to those neighborhoods deserve the tools, connections, and capacity to bring that vision to life. BLDG Memphis is a member association and organizing table for the community development ecosystem, bringing together Community Development Corporations, Community Development Organizations, neighborhood leaders, residents, public agencies, funders, civic partners, and aligned institutions to strengthen community development across Memphis.

Our work provides a roadmap for collective action. We convene partners, build organizational capacity, elevate community development policy priorities, and connect members to learning, tools, resources, and relationships that support neighborhood-driven progress.

When we do this together, the result is powerful: residents are centered, CDCs, CDOs, and neighborhood-based organizations are stronger, partners are better aligned, and Memphis neighborhoods become more resilient, connected, and people-centered.

Strengthen

We build the capacity of community development organizations through training, technical assistance, leadership development, and member support.

Advocate

We advance equitable policies and public investments that support neighborhood revitalization, housing stability, mobility, safety, and community-centered development.

Activate

We support civic engagement, community voice, and on-the-ground action alongside members, residents, and partners.

"For the past 25 years, BLDG Memphis has provided a platform to help those interested in the success of our city to engage and participate in building a better Memphis."

— Memphis Mayor Paul Young

Staff

Executive Leadership Team 2026 – 2027

Rasheedah M. Jones

Member-At-Large

BLDG Memphis President

Rasheedah M. Jones, B.S., M.Ed., M.S. is a Memphis-based real estate strategist, developer, and nationally recognized housing advocate driving solutions at the intersection of community development and economic mobility. With more than two decades of experience across brokerage, construction, mortgage, and consulting, she leads efforts to expand equitable homeownership and build sustainable housing ecosystems in underserved communities. As a leader within Alliance for Housing Progress and a driving force behind initiatives like the Emerging Developer Academy and Founder of the Black Developers Housing Summit, Jones is committed to preparing both people and projects to successfully access capital and deliver quality housing. Her work centers on creating pathways to generational wealth, strengthening neighborhoods, and ensuring that revitalization benefits the communities it is meant to serve.

Kerri G. Campbell

Member-At-Large

BLDG Memphis Vice-President
Kerri G. Campbell is a non-profit leader with almost 20 years of experience designing and managing philanthropic programs that drive measurable social impact. She has overseen multi-million-dollar grantmaking portfolios, led cross-sector partnerships across business, government, and nonprofits, and advised senior leadership and boards on aligning charitable giving with enterprise strategy and community priorities. A seasoned government relations and public policy strategist, she has proven expertise in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector coalition building.

Davia C. Downey

Member-At-Large

BLDG Memphis Treasurer

Davia C. Downey, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Director of the Ph.D. in Urban Affairs program at the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on urban policy, disaster management, and the intersection of race, governance, and economic development, with published work appearing in leading academic journals and books on cities and public policy. Dr. Downey brings extensive experience in public administration and higher education, previously serving in faculty leadership roles at Grand Valley State University, and remains actively engaged in community and policy work that advances equitable urban development.

Wayne Moody

Moody CDC

BLDG Memphis Secretary

Wayne Moody is Executive Director of Moody Community Development Corporation. Moody CDC is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding access to safe, affordable, sustainable housing in underserved communities. Through partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, and local stakeholders, Moody CDC develops and rehabilitates housing that promotes neighborhood stability, economic opportunity, and long-term affordability. Under Wayne’s leadership, Moody CDC built the first affordable housing unit in partnership with the county’s Essential Housing Program, located within Shelby County’s Community Redevelopment Agency. Wayne is a licensed contractor in Tennessee and a licensed real estate broker (TN and MS).

Board of Directors 2026 – 2027

Casey Cooper

South City CDC

Casey Cooper, founder and CEO of The Compass Circle Inc. and South City CDC, a Memphis-based women-owned community development organization. The Compass Circle LLC specializes in real estate development, with notable projects in South Memphis, including the 12-unit Saxon-Shaw Development, an affordable housing project. Ms. Cooper is also a licensed contractor and has an 8(a) certification, a program designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged businesses gain access to government contracts and business development assistance. Casey is also a member of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Circle, a group of civic-minded C-suite leaders with a focus on accelerating economic development, a robust local workforce, and advancing a compassionate business climate in the city.

Michael Cowan

Community LIFT

Michael Cowan is a community development strategist and cultural infrastructure leader based in Memphis, serving as Managing Director of Grants & Programs at Community LIFT. In this role, he leads the design and deployment of key funding initiatives that support community development corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses, helping to expand capacity and drive equitable neighborhood revitalization. A South Memphis native, Cowan’s work sits at the intersection of capital, creativity, and place-based investment, with a strong focus on advancing culturally rooted development strategies. He also serves as Board President of the Memphis Slim Collaboratory, where he champions arts, music heritage, and community-centered innovation as catalysts for economic and social impact.

Randall Garrett

Klondike Smokey City CDC

Randall Garrett is the Housing Director for the Klondike Smokey City Community Development Corporation (KSCCDC) in Memphis, where he leads efforts to expand affordable housing, stabilize neighborhoods, and promote equitable community development in North Memphis. With a deep commitment to preserving the legacy of historic Black communities, Garrett plays a key role in acquiring, rehabilitating, and returning homes to residents at attainable price points, helping to increase homeownership and prevent displacement.

Stuart Lott

Backbone Technologies

Stuart Lott is a FinTech startup founder and former consumer financial services attorney with 12+ years of regulatory compliance and enforcement experience in personal loan and mortgage FinTech companies. At his core, Stuart P. Lott enjoys helping people, especially those who have been historically overlooked and underestimated. In 2021, Stuart founded Backbone Technologies, the go-to financial management platform for microbusinesses. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Stuart moved to San Francisco in 2017 to serve as in-house counsel for a young mortgage technology startup. This experience was a “watershed moment” for Stuart, as he witnessed the power of financial technology and its potential to uplift those who have historically been mistreated or outright excluded by the mainstream financial services industry. Stuart most recently served as in-house regulatory counsel at Prosper Marketplace, where he helped the company take its home equity products from concept to launch and sustained year-over-year growth.

Jackson McNeil

Member-At-Large

Jackson McNeil is a transportation professional focused on advancing equitable and sustainable mobility solutions in Memphis. He most recently served as Transportation and Mobility Director at Innovate Memphis, where he led initiatives to improve access and connectivity for residents across the city. Jackson has transitioned into a new role as a Transportation Planner with Kimley-Horn’s Memphis office, continuing his work to strengthen infrastructure and expand access to opportunity through thoughtful planning.

Justin Merrick

Center for Transforming Communities

Justin Merrick is a multifaceted leader whose career spans corporate leadership, nonprofit management, and the arts. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Center for Transforming Communities in Memphis, where he leads organizational design, development, and strategic vision to advance civic engagement, equitable practices, and neighborhood democracy across Shelby County.

Kendall Munson

MINC CDC

Kendall “Coach” Munson is the executive director of MINC CDC, connecting residents in the Schmalrized, Flower Garden, and Tanglewood Terrace subdivisions by providing programs and services that promote empowerment, self-sufficiency, education, housing, and economic development. Coach Munson is a 26-year veteran of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, serving in various teaching and directing roles throughout his tenure. In 2011, he founded MINC CDC. In this role, Munson initiated programs in financial literacy, blight reduction, and small-business development for the Schmalrized, Flower Garden, and Tanglewood Terrace subdivisions, partnering with other local nonprofits to revitalize lots in the 38114-area code.

Steve Swain

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Steve Swain is a senior vice president and community lending manager for Pinnacle Financial Partners. He serves as the leader of the lending production offices team and coordinates the bank’s community development effort in the Memphis region. He also partners with consumers, small businesses, and mortgage seekers to deliver lending programs. He is committed to serving the community, as evidenced by his involvement with local nonprofits and community organizations. He serves as an executive board member and board chair for the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis, a board member with Leadership Memphis, a board member for Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, a board member of the Southwest TN Community College Foundation Advisory Board, and a board member for The Mustard Seed, Inc. in Memphis. He serves as a member of the Memphis Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Association. He is a past board member of Operation HOPE, Inc. – HOPE Inside National Advisory Board.

Shnesa Wiggins

A.N.C.H.O.R. CDC

Shnesa Wiggins is the executive director of A.N.C.H.O.R. CDC and founder of Forever Grateful Consulting LLC, which provides governance, capital strategy, and grant development advisory to nonprofits, CDCs, and regional initiatives. As executive director of A.N.C.H.O.R. CDC, Wiggins designed and launched the South Memphis Community Collaborative, which aligns five pillars of community and economic development for the area. Shnesa is an astute strategist and capital mobilizer with a record of influencing and securing $250M+ in public, private, and philanthropic investment, including $125M+ in direct funding secured since 2023 through strategic advisory and grant development leadership. Shnesa also serves as the director of Community Development and Engagement at the University of Memphis’ Delta Revitalization, Innovation, Vision, and Empowerment (DRIVE) initiative, which supports regional communities in their pursuit of sustainable growth and prosperity.

Princess Woodward Esq.

Member-At-Large

Princess Woodward, Esq. is a local attorney in Memphis. Princess M. Woodard was born, bred, and educated in Memphis, Tennessee. A proud product of South Memphis and graduate of Hamilton High School, Christian Brothers University, and the University of Memphis’s School of Law. Professionally, Princess has committed herself to being a legal advocate for her clients; personally, she has pledged to be a champion for her beloved city and its youth. Princess believes that Memphis’s growth is grounded in the development of our youth and the revitalization of our underserved communities. In addition to mentoring students, organizing community events, and spearheading fundraisers, Princess seeks to educate fellow Memphians on the necessity of property retention, heirship, and collective community.

Leadership

Board of Directors 2026–2027

BLDG Memphis is governed by a Board of Directors committed to the organization’s mission, membership, and long-term sustainability.

Board Member

Kerri G. Campbell

MidtownMemphis.Org

Nearly 20 years of experience designing philanthropic programs, leading cross-sector partnerships, and advising boards on aligning charitable giving with community priorities.

Board Member

Casey Cooper

South City CDC / The Compass Circle

Founder and CEO of a Memphis-based women-owned community development organization focused on real estate development and affordable housing in South Memphis.

Ex-Officio

Michael Cowan

Community LIFT

Community development strategist and Managing Director of Grants & Programs at Community LIFT, focused on capital, creativity, and place-based investment.

Board Member

Davia C. Downey, Ph.D.

University of Memphis

Associate Professor of Public Administration and Director of the Ph.D. in Urban Affairs program; research focuses on urban policy, governance, and equitable development.

Board Member