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The Rotary Club of Akron had the extreme pleasure of listening to Katie Beck at our Tuesday, July 27 Club meeting. Katie is a creative community builder, director, writer, facilitator, speaker, and artist who works to build spaces that highlight and prioritize underrepresented voices. Given these qualities it isn’t surprising that she was selected to be the Executive Director of the North Hill Community Development Corporation. So, what are Community Development Corporations? Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are nonprofit, community-based organizations focused on revitalizing the areas in which they are located, typically low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment. While they are most commonly celebrated for developing affordable housing, they are usually involved in a range of initiatives critical to community health such as economic development, sanitation, streetscaping, and neighborhood planning projects, and oftentimes even provide education and social services to neighborhood residents. CDCs play a critical role in building community wealth for several key reasons: - They anchor capital in communities by developing residential and commercial property, ranging from affordable housing to shopping centers and even businesses.
- At least one-third of a CDC’s board is typically composed of community residents, allowing for the possibility of direct, grass-roots participation in decision-making.
- CDCs’ work to enhance community conditions oftentimes involves neighborhood organizing, a process critical for empowering residents and gaining political power.
 Ms. Beck has been a community organizer in the North Hill community for the past 5 years. In 2017, Ms. Beck helped to open the Exchange House with the Better Block Foundation of North Hill, which is a cultural hub and international hostel that celebrates cultures and cultivates community capacity through partnerships, programming, and built environment. At the beginning of 2020, she stepped into the role of Executive Director for North Akron Community Development Corporation (NACDC), a nonprofit building upon physical infrastructure, cultural heart, creative spirit, history, and entrepreneurial drive of artists and local small business owners in North Hill. NACDC focuses on entrepreneurship and economic development, creative placemaking, and building social cohesion through 5 public spaces that include the Exchange House, the Backyard (outdoor pocket park), NoHi Pop-up (rotating restaurants), NoTique (mixed-use retail), and the upcoming Market House (women-focused microbusiness incubator). The mission of NACDC is to assure a vibrant thriving North Akron community that inspires and connects its residents while celebrating its unique diversity. NACDC seeks to be a nationally recognized CDC making connections that strengthen the power of community members and communities. What programs are offered by the NACDC? A few of the programs offered by the NACDC are listed below. The Exchange House is more than just a place to stay; it’s a cultural immersion. The Exchange House offers three private rooms on the second floor with a shared bathroom. On the bottom floor of the house is a cultural exchange experience, programmed with the immigrants who reside in Akron. Join Exchange House for tea-time. Or sit in on an English as a Second Language (ESL class). The Exchange House hope is that you not only get a comfortable room to stay in during your visit, but you also get to know the neighbors. By staying at the Exchange House, you not only help the NACDC provide cultural programming to North Hill area refugees; you immerse yourself in the local culture of the North Hill neighborhood! The Exchange House offers three private, lockable bedrooms on the second floor. Rooms 1 and 3 each include a single queen-sized bed, while Room 2 includes a twin-sized bed. All three beds include quilts designed and handmade by local North Hill women. Amenities include free Wifi, washer and dryer, heating and air-conditioning, and free parking on the premises. Safety features include a smoke detector, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, and first aid kit. Market House is a women's empowerment center that is centrally located in North Hill's Temple Square business district. There are currently three private office or studio spaces available for rent. Amenities include private and secure room with 24/7 access, WiFi, shared 1.5 bath and full kitchen, membership of the makerspace, and use of community space when available. Any maker, artist, or entrepreneur is encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to women- and minority-owned or -led businesses. The NoTique features vendors and makers from the local community at 772 - 776 N. Main Street in North Hill. The 620 square foot retail space rotates new and emerging entrepreneurs in a storefront next to NoHi Pop-up restaurant located in Temple Square. Any maker or entrepreneur is encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to women- and minority-owned businesses. Currently there are 25 vendors utilizing the space. NoHi Pop-Up is a carry-out, rotating restaurant in Akron's North Hill that features a different food artist every weekend. NoHi commercial kitchen is an incubator that prioritizes minority and women culinary art entrepreneurs by serving as a vehicle for development and demonstration of new cuisine concepts. Regardless of culinary experience, NoHi empowers individuals to pursue their passion and talent by sharing their unique heritage and culture through opportunities for artistry and entrepreneurship. The NACDC support this program by:
-Providing access to a commercial kitchen
-Providing assistance, training and education about health safety, food management, and operations from industry professionals
-Providing real time oversight and support during operating hours
-Fronting food costs that are reimbursed from sales The NOHI Pop Up kitchen started in August 2020. Since that time, the program has generated over $270,000 in sales since November 2020. Interested in knowing more about the North Akron Community Development Corporation? Interested in getting involved? They are looking for board members. If curious, contact Katie Beck at katie@northakroncdc.org or 234.312.9709. Yours in Rotary Service - Terry Dalton Rotary Club of Akron Secretary and Scholarship Chair |
