Build from Within Convening Attendees were privileged guests at The Neighborhood Hero Awards. Hosted by our intrepid Alaskan members, Anchorage Community Land Trust (ACLT), these awards are an annual celebration of local entrepreneurs who have gone through ACLT and their stellar programming. Most of our 15 members have a version of these annual awards designed to honor entrepreneurs and shine a light on their unique stories and successes.
This year, Anchorage Community Land Trust showed us all how it’s done. Hosted at the Alaskan Native Heritage Center, teeming with over 50 food venders (each one a graduate of ACLT’s programing!) and dotted with local entrepreneurs selling their wares, BfWA got a glimpse into the deep community work going on in Anchorage.
Alliance members are trusted in their communities. So, the biggest take away? The heartfelt connection and trust between community members, entrepreneurs, and ACLT staff on full display at this beautiful event.
Day Two
It’s all about the neighborhoods! Anchorage Community Land Trust (ACLT) has been engaging in place-based economic development in Anchorage’s Mountain View neighborhood for over 20 years. Alliance members are all place-based organizations! So, what does this look like?
BfWA got to reflect first-hand as we learned about ACLT’s long-sustained and invaluable partnerships that have developed over the years, their relationship with neighborhood residents, and the community-specific values that guide every aspect of ACLT’s work. We heard from key members of the community. We discussed the importance of visible real estate for entrepreneurs. We toured the neighborhood and visited with local entrepreneurs. We visited ACLT’s Grow North Farm.
The key take away:
When you look at the plight of Native Americans in this country and the laws that were meant to eliminate us, you have to realize, we are still here. The opportunity of entrepreneurship is giving people strength. Giving people economic strength and emotional strength and building wealth for the future. It’s an opportunity to reclaim space and place. As organizations and as an alliance, we need to set our goals and make them high so that we have to reach.” —NDC Board Member
Day Three
Supporting community and culture extends beyond the work of entrepreneurship! This work is interwoven with all the work of community development. Gathered together at The Nave, alliance members from across the country showcased how this is happening back home.
We explored how to build effective partnerships with others who support community development and share our approach to neighborhood prosperity. What is our respective responsibilities within our work? How do we contribute to the integrated community development aspect of our vision? Plus, another day, another neighborhood! ACLT took us on a walking tour of Anchorage’s Spenard neighborhood to see new housing initiatives, local businesses, and the future site of their new kitchen incubator.
Convening Agenda & Programming
Here you’ll find a full rundown of the programming we’ve planned for our days together in Anchorage — from transportation details, to neighborhood tours, to session discussion topics, click here to learn everything you’d ever want to know about the 13th Annual BfWA Convening. Feel free to print this document to have as your Convening travel companion.
