Power to the people\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 1971, when John Lennon penned the consummate protest song \u201cPower to the People,\u201d advocating for grassroots empowerment leading to critical social change, he might\u2019ve\u00a0had an organization much like the Kensington Corridor Trust in mind.<\/p>\n
Kensington Corridor Trust puts power back in the hands of the community\u00a0
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It has been six years since Adriana\u00a0Abizadeh-Barbour was appointed as the first executive director of this nonprofit.\u202f<\/p>\n
Since that time, amazing strides have been made. Under her leadership, the Camden native\u00a0has created a model for putting stability and growth back into the hands of the people who live and work in the neighborhood. <\/p>\n
As the organization enters the Trenton market, the leaders will draw on a successful, replicable strategy that has changed the lives of residents in unimaginable ways.\u00a0
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Leveraging her education at Rutgers University-Camden, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Security Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, while also drawing on her teaching at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, \u202fcombined with her hands-on experience in community development, Adriana has the full menu of complex skills needed for her evolving role.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why local residents come first\u00a0<\/p>\n
Growing up in New Jersey, Adriana saw first-hand that financial support for the state\u2019s neighborhoods, especially those in underserved areas, were intentionally prioritizing corporate and governmental goals and increasing the profits for outside investors.\u202f<\/p>\n
While at the same time, the critical needs of local neighbors were being overlooked.\u00a0
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To remedy the situation, the Kensington Corridor Trust was launched. Relying on community involvement with a focus on self-determination, they sought out businesses and individuals with a common zip code, explaining the power of collective real estate ownership. <\/p>\n
With aggressive\u00a0fundraising\u00a0efforts and grants, including model and replication support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Trust\u00a0acquires\u00a0real estate, enabling those in the community to build wealth through collective property ownership.
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Working together gives everyone a voice\u00a0
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By putting influence into their hands and providing the resources to recreate their neighborhood through redevelopment, residents have the opportunity to reach consensus and make decisions regarding many critical decisions \u2013 such as introducing a clean, green environment, offering affordable housing, improving the schools, having access to efficient, inexpensive transportation and deciding which small businesses and shops will be invited to have a presence in the community. <\/p>\n
Collectively, they have the power of change.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lessons learned along the way<\/p>\n
Adriana has gained key insights from various aspects of her own efforts. From sitting on multiple boards to\u00a0teaching at Rutgers to leadership role as the Trust\u2019s executive director, she brings energy, enthusiasm and expertise\u00a0to encourage others. <\/p>\n
Here is what she has learned so far:<\/p>\n
Passion is an essential attribute.\u202f You do not need to be an expert to effect\u00a0important\u00a0change. The residents who come together to co-govern bring their lifetime experiences, memories of better times and hopeful expectations for future outcomes. It is their commitment to achieving their shared goals that is even more important than professional\u00a0expertise.
\nProof of concept consistently shows that given the choice, people are confident of achieving success\u00a0and they are excited about the chance to\u00a0participate\u00a0in collective ownership. They want to\u00a0be responsible for\u00a0making decisions that\u00a0impact their daily lives, and they appreciate the chance to build a strong community.
\nJudged only by external standards, people may look the same. But it is important to recognize that each person and each community is unique and seeks different results, even if they share common experiences.\u00a0
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