Reclaiming Your Community: You Don’t Have to Move out of Your Neighborhood to Live in a Better One

by Majora Carter

Majora Carter shows how brain drain cripples low-status communities and maps out a development strategy focused on talent retention to help them break out of economic stagnation.

"My musical, In the Heights, explores issues of community, gentrification, identity and home, and the Are happy endings only ones that involve getting out of your neighborhood to achieve your dreams? In her refreshing new book, Majora Carter writes about these issues with great insight and clarity, asking us to re-examine our notions of what community development is and how we invest in the futures of our hometowns. This is an exciting conversation worth joining.”
—Lin-Manuel Miranda

How can we solve the problem of persistent poverty in low-status communities? Majora Carter argues that these areas need a talent-retention strategy, just like the ones companies have. Retaining homegrown talent is a critical part of creating a strong local economy that can resist gentrification. But too many people born in low-status communities measure their success by how far away from them they can get.

Carter, who could have been one of them, returned to the South Bronx and devised a development strategy rooted in the conviction that these communities have the resources within themselves to succeed. She advocates measures such as



This is a profoundly personal book. Carter writes about her brother’s murder, how turning a local dumping ground into an award-winning park opened her eyes to the hidden potential in her community, her struggles as a woman of color confronting the “male and pale” real estate and nonprofit establishments, and much more. It is a powerful rethinking of poverty, economic development, and the meaning of success.

Genres: Nonfiction, Urban Planning, Urbanism, Activism, Poverty, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

Majora Carter is a real estate developer, urban revitalization strategy consultant, MacArthur Fellow and Peabody Award winning broadcaster. She is responsible for the creation and successful implementation of numerous economic developments, technology & green-infrastructure projects, policies and job training & placement systems, and is currently serving as Senior Program Director for Community Regeneration at Groundswell, Inc.

Carter applies her corporate consulting practice focused on talent-retention to reducing Brain Drain in American low-status communities. She has firsthand experience pioneering sustainable economic development in one of America's most storied low-status communities: the South Bronx.

She and her teams develop vision, strategies and the type of development that transforms low-status communities into thriving mixed-use local economies. Her approach harnesses capital flows resulting from American re-urbanization to help increase wealth building opportunities across demographics left out of all historic financial tide changes. Majora's work produces long term fiscal benefits for governments, residents, and private real estate developments throughout North America.

In 2017, she launched the Boogie Down Grind, a Hip Hop themed speciality coffee & craft beer spot, and the first commercial “3rd Space” in the Hunts Point section

of the South Bronx since the mid-1980s. This venture also provides a rare opportunity for local families to invest through SEC approved online investment platforms.

Majora is quoted on the walls of the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture in DC:

"Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one”.

Her ability to shepherd projects through seemingly conflicted socio-economic currents has garnered her 8 honorary PhD's and awards such as: 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs, Silicon Alley 100 by Business Insider, Liberty Medal for Lifetime Achievement by News Corp, and other honors from the National Building Museum, International Interior Design Association, Center for American Progress, as well as her TEDtalk (one of six to launch that site in 2006).

She has served on the boards of the US Green Building Council, Ceres, The Wilderness Society, and the Andrew Goodman Foundation.

Majora was born, raised and continues to live in the South Bronx. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science (1984), Wesleyan University (1988 BA, Distinguished Alum) and New York University (MFA). After establishing Sustainable South Bronx (2001) and Green For All (2007), among other organizations, she opened this private consulting firm (2008) - which was named Best for the World by B-Corp in 2014.

While at Sustainable South Bronx, Carter deployed MIT’s first ever Mobile Fab-Lab (digital fabrication laboratory) to the South Bronx - where it served as an early iteration of the “Maker-Spaces” found elsewhere today. The project drew residents and visitors together for guided and creative collaborations.

In addition, Majora Carter launched StartUp Box, a ground-breaking tech social enterprise that provided entry-level tech jobs in the South Bronx, operating it from 2014-2018. Majora Carter has helped connect tech industry pioneers such as Etsy, Gust, FreshDirect, Google, and Cisco to diverse communities at all levels.

Reviews

[Sabrina Sultana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly disappointing. Some aspects of the book are very frustrating & confusing. One example of this is when Majora claims herself to be a "real estate developer", but then she also admits in her book that she had NO training in the field. There is no evidence-based research or work to support her theories on revitalization which makes this book difficult to be credible. When she mentions studies she have conducted, the sources to the studies are not clear or credible. Majora's writing was more of an absurd autobiography and attack on the activist community rather than a guide for people to help their neighborhoods be better. This book advocates for gentrification and argued at length about how nonprofit organizations suck, which are actually vital for vulnerable populations. She also deliberately supports gentrification in a community that was historically hit hard by displacement and rising rent prices. She fails to address this in her book. The last chapter, however, was resourceful for neighborhood redevelopment but I wish she expanded on this throughout the book.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Bronx native, it was very easy for me to put myself in Majora’s shoes, as she discussed her journey in her community. I was not entirely aware of her impact in the Bronx and I was filled with pride to learn that she recognizes our worth. The Bronx is usually painted in negative light, not fully acknowledging the various people who reside there. Very often, people digest this negative perception and begin to view themselves as undeserving.

I am here to say that regardless of where you are from and the perceptions of others, you are worthy and capable. Negativity exist in all communities, but through accountability and awareness we can initiate positive growth. I recommend this book to anyone who lives in a big city and has experienced the difficulties of maneuvering through challenges.

[Albert Willem Mordhort]

Review coming soon, just won the book and added it to my library

[Erikk Hokenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[naia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ was really excited about this book but was really disappointed with it. definitely liked the discussion of the non-profit industrial complex and philanthropy, but even then i thought she would’ve discussed the hierarchical structure of philanthropic work and segue into discussing mutual aid in communities. very pro-capitalist in a way i was just not expecting. sad im rating it this low because i had really high hopes

[Cheryl Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grass is greener where you water it, took a whole new meaning.

Majora Carter is a relatable storyteller who presents a digestible and informative perspective on the real challenges of real estate development. Her insights make these issues accessible, particularly for those that didn’t come from high status community.

Shifting the scope of what gentrification in an area can look like and encouraging safe, welcoming, and attainable living space for the many not just the elite is the ultimate goal.

[Ashton · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some very important ideas in this book and helpful examples of how Carter enacted change in her neighborhood, but the writing itself was lacking.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was part social activism strategy and part autobiography. Because these two categories are combined, the tone of the writing sometimes seems out of place.

The points about social activism strategy seem refreshingly simple and well explained. There is also discussion about the state of the non profit and public sector poverty alleviation. These discussions seem novel and candid.

The social activism strategy and state of the industry points could have fit into 15 to 20 pages. The rest of the 160 or so pages could have been an autobiography that delved into the history of the south bronxs, the author's career, and opinions.

[Sarah Aaron-Bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and inspiring.
We don’t have to move to live in a better community!

[Guerdon Ligon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reasonable ideas in places, but the book has little to say generally. No empiricism, lot’s of self-aggrandizement. Everyone against her is stupid or evil or both, and the success of any org or project she’s been attached to was purely her work. Frustrating because I really want to like a lot of the actual material. She sometimes directly misrepresents things that are trivial to check, like the New Yorker “hit-piece” on her. Silly.
Some of the people and groups mentioned seem to be down to earth and actually useful, frankly those names are where most of the book’s value is. All the same I think some criticisms of systemic stuff in business and charity is warranted. It’s a mixed bag. Also she’s a pretty bad writer.

edit: changed rating to one star because I see the author has chosen to respond to criticism by calling people dumb in the comments on her own book. Genuinely embarrassing.

[Rebecca]

I won't rate this book, because it was a bad fit for me and I expected something different than what it is. I will say that I really did not enjoy reading it, but it was a part of a library book group focused on building community. This book was not helpful for folks looking to connect with neighbors and create community-led projects. This book is not about community care or connection, it is about entrepreneurship and using capitalism to minimize the problems that capitalism creates.

[Mark Tyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be very frustrating. So many words devoted to the author’s “fan” club and slights she has received. But by the end, these slights seemed to build her narrative and I was less and less bothered by their inclusion. The end, where the book gets to the how to, left me wanting more of them. So, interest piqued, but opportunity lost.

[Sophie Eldredge · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this since she is visiting my class in friday- i agree with other readers that the autobiography mixed with community devolepment theory did get confusing sometimes. the ending was my favorite- i wish she included more of the examples,, and the real estate development aspect was confusing but may be because real estate confuses me..

[David Burton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Majora Carter’s book, Reclaiming Your Community: You Don’t Have to Move Out of Your Neighborhood to Live In a Better One, is an inspiring and thought-provoking read about the power of staying in and improving the places we call home. Carter, an activist and urban revitalization strategist, argues that people in struggling neighborhoods shouldn’t feel like they have to leave in order to find success. Instead, she encourages them to take charge and invest in their own communities, bringing economic and social growth from within. While the book is full of passion and strong ideas, it also has a few drawbacks that may leave some readers feeling skeptical.

Three Positive Takeaways from the Book

One of the best lessons in Reclaiming Your Community is that neighborhoods can be transformed when local people take the lead. Carter emphasizes that people who grow up in a community should have the opportunity to stay, invest, and build businesses rather than being forced to leave in search of better opportunities. She highlights real-life examples of community-driven projects that have helped revitalize struggling areas, proving that change is possible when residents take action.

Another powerful insight is the focus on economic development. Carter doesn’t just talk about fixing neighborhoods in a vague way—she emphasizes the need for real economic investment. She argues that when communities create businesses, attract outside investment, and support local entrepreneurs, they become stronger and more self-sufficient. This approach makes her book stand out because she isn’t just advocating for government help—she’s pushing for real financial empowerment.

A third great takeaway is Carter’s discussion of the “talent drain.” She explains how many bright and ambitious people feel pressured to leave their hometowns in search of better jobs, leading to further decline in their communities. Instead of accepting this as inevitable, she challenges readers to rethink what success looks like and find ways to contribute to the places where they grew up. This idea is refreshing and gives hope that struggling neighborhoods don’t have to stay that way forever.

Four Negative Observations About the Book

While Reclaiming Your Community has strong points, it also has weaknesses. One major issue is that Carter sometimes plays the victim card too much. While it’s true that many communities face serious challenges due to historical injustices, the book often focuses on these problems without fully acknowledging the personal responsibility and mindset shifts needed to create change. At times, it feels like she is blaming external forces more than encouraging individuals to take ownership of their circumstances.

Another problem is that the book can feel repetitive. Carter makes great points, but she often repeats similar ideas in different ways. This can make parts of the book drag, especially for readers who are looking for fresh insights in each chapter. A more concise version of her message could have been just as powerful without unnecessary repetition.

A third downside is that while Carter offers inspiring stories and ideas, she doesn’t always provide enough practical steps for readers who want to take action. She talks about big-picture concepts like investing in communities and stopping talent drain, but she doesn’t always break these ideas down into clear, actionable steps that individuals can follow. Some readers might finish the book feeling motivated but unsure of where to start.

Finally, Carter’s business-focused approach might not work for everyone. She strongly believes in using entrepreneurship and economic investment to improve neighborhoods, but not everyone has the skills, resources, or interest to start a business. While she acknowledges the need for collaboration, she sometimes overlooks other important aspects of community revitalization, like education, healthcare, and local policy changes. A more balanced approach might have made her arguments stronger.

Final Thoughts

Reclaiming Your Community is a passionate and eye-opening book that challenges the idea that success means leaving your neighborhood behind. Majora Carter does an excellent job of showing how local investment and leadership can transform struggling communities. Her ideas about economic empowerment and stopping the talent drain are especially valuable for anyone interested in urban development.

However, the book has its flaws, including a tendency to focus too much on external blame, a repetitive structure, and a lack of clear action steps. While Carter’s message is inspiring, it may not be realistic for everyone. Despite these issues, Reclaiming Your Community is still a worthwhile read for those who want to rethink how they engage with their own neighborhoods. It challenges readers to see their communities as places of potential rather than places to escape.

[Tony Crispin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest, this book is kind of not great. I'll start with the things I liked about it.

1. I liked her core thesis that we can envision and act on new ways to develop neighborhoods outside of just letting them rot (protecting them from gentrification) or completely selling them out to corporate interests. I thought it was a good and true perspective and she backed it up nicely.
2. I liked the personal anecdotes of Carter practicing what she preaches (organizing, building a park basically completely alone, making a coffee shop, etc. all within her home community).
3. She gave a good critique of the non-profit industrial complex and how subsistence service and concentrated poverty doesn't do much to help out poor folks in terms of actual economic ascension.

Okay, now I'll talk about the parts I liked less.

1. This is mostly a memoir. A lot of the pages are spent on the life and times of Majora Carter. Not necessarily her community or projects, but her life specifically and thoughts on things specifically. Not that that's bad to have in your book, we should know the about the upbringing that formed the authors opinions, but she spent more pages than I would have liked on it.
1.5. There are times in this book where it really feels more like a diary that Carter is pouring her feelings into. Again, I appreciate when books have some of that human flavor, but it really felt like a bit much for a book that I think wants to be more of a case study on revitalization.
2. This is my biggest complaint: Majora is kind of annoying in how she seems to frame herself as the victim at every turn. Every time she talks about pushback to her projects or ideas, it always struck me as "everyone is so mean 2 me :(" especially because she is very stubborn on her belief that what she's doing is the true and righteous path. I appreciated that she seemed to attempt to bring her critics to the table when there was neighborhood opposition, but she has the bad habit of framing dissent as "haters gonna hate", which is a very easy way to write off any criticism as a pathology of the critic rather than something to actually take seriously.

I don't know, there are definitely good nuggets in here (her line about "Gentrification doesn't start at hipster coffee shops and e-scooters, it starts it people losing faith in their neighborhoods" is a huge banger), I just didn't find this book as enjoyable as some other community development books I've read. It centers too much on Majora herself and how she's a noble real estate development hero kept down by the establishment and her haters. Again, she's very adamant about her position but that spawns gems like this:
"In other words, because we wanted a more diverse income mix as per our talent-retention real estate strategy, we would lose access to substantial subsidy dollars because the farther you went up the income ladder, the less subsidy programs paid." Like yeah, building less profitable housing probably does compel more subsidies.

Anyway, if this book was a little tighter and went through a few more drafts I think it could be better, but in its current state it's unfortunately not my favorite.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Carter was a guest speaker on environmental justice for our company and someone asked a question that plagued me during my entire time at the City. How do you ask people who have many other needs that aren't being met to care about recycling? In over three years, I asked this question on a UN panel and at various webinars. No one ever had an answer. Until Majora Carter. She told us that recycling and solid waste are basic services and just because a community struggles with one or other needs does not mean they don't deserve this. It seems so simple in retrospect, but I don't know that I would have ever gotten there.

Needless to say, I immediately grabbed a copy of this book and was once again, not dissapointed. Majora Carter uses this novel to talk about the brain drain that occurs in low-status communities and how the non-profit industrial complex, among others, perpetuate poverty instead of improving them. She digs into what people really want in communities, but often has to ask twice. When asked what someone's community needs, they state health care centers, community centers, etc. When asked if those things will keep them in the community, most surveyed folks were shocked that she thought they'd stay and would go on to say that what they actually wanted in THEIR community were often third-spaces like restaurants, bookstores, and cafes and places where they could continue to grow and thrive. They just didn't see that being a possibility for the low-status community they were currently in and held a deeply entrenched belief that success is measured by how far away you are.

I also really appreciated her experience with her "fan club." As any public-facing folks will (unfortunately) find, sometimes folks you think you have a lot in common with will spend most of their time trying to drag you down rather than working with you on what can be accomplished. If you don't do it exactly their way, they see it as your personal failing and don't ever want to move beyond that. It happens. It sucks. It's important to be ready for it and understand how to keep moving forward, know that you're doing your best, and most importantly, not shy away from being open to others in the future. You will find your good partners and perhaps not coincidentally, those interactions will be the ones that inspire you and reinvigorate you and remind you why you are where you are.

It's a quick read that hits home several points with repetition which I didn't mind. I highly recommend this read, but if you're looking for programs to support that might inspire the benefits Carter champions in this book, she gives us this takeaway: "...far fewer programs are designed to move people out of poverty or generate wealth as they stay within their own community, such as homeownership support, financial literacy, credit repair, and business development workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs."

[Zack Subin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing on her home, the South Bronx, Carter presents a perspective that breaks through dichotomous debates on development in “low status” communities (often but not necessarily comprising Black, Indigenous, and other people of color-- her preface has a detailed and compelling explanation for the choice of terms used). She briefly recounts the obvious flaws in mainstream (i.e., chummy, politically connected-- and mostly white) real estate development before expanding on a critique of its common foil, local anti-gentrification activism. The latter, which often calls for only investing in 100% [subsidized / nonprofit] affordable rental housing, is often aligned with another target of criticism: the "nonprofit industrial complex." She argues that this coalition maintains "poverty-level economic maintenance" services that enrich outsiders and treat the symptoms of poverty without giving people the tools to become financially independent.

Instead, she wants talented people to feel inspired to stay in their communities, invest in improving conditions for current residents by adding neighborhood amenities worthy of pride, and create a virtuous cycle for building local wealth.

The book is enriched by her personal experiences, including vivid descriptions of her childhood and family. It is painful to read about her being patronized and dismissed, in turn, by outside financiers-- only to be attacked by factions in her own community. But she maintains a tone of defiance, pride, and playfulness as she describes her persistence in finding projects to strengthen both the physical and social infrastructure of the South Bronx. She ends by elevating examples of successful movements in other cities.

An important read for anyone interested in housing policy and community development; four stars due to somewhat meandering organization and repetitiveness.

[Colin Bruce Anthes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carter begins by giving a stunning insider's reveal of the non-profit industrial complex's problematic operations, and of poverty-level economic maintenance. She then, however, eschews progressive alternatives rooted in inclusive ownership, champions "capitalism as a tool to gentrify your own community," and bemoans the lash back she received from that community. While we shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, this looked like it was headed towards a fairly dead end. Towards the conclusion of the book, however, Carter does begin to recognize less polarizing and more impactful possibilities. Speaking of the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative, she writes:

"This type of collective ownership pays a real financial and equally real and valuable spiritual investment to everyone involved. This is in stark contradistinction to how affordable housing is created and managed currently, wherein large blocks of outside capital are able to unlock access to government subsidies that are attainably by, for example, an individual property owner who might want to provide affordability through their rental units" (Page 171).

I cannot say this is a great or necessary book. If, however, 50 pages of it were spliced with an account of the Community Wealth Building work done in Cleveland and Chicago among others, it would be quite a read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this read. It put helpful language and perspective to some ideas I had been processing through my time working with and for nonprofits.

My most important take away:
"The nonprofit industrial complex (NPIC) comprises social justice activists, community organizations, philanthropy, and governmental agencies that all unwittingly (to be generous) support an operational theory that poverty is a constant to be stabilized-with occasional Cinderella stories emerging...Most low-status communities I have come in contact with, including my own, contain a wealth of nonprofit programs designed to help people adapt to poverty"

These issues require nuance to work through. Poverty is the design of complex layered systems in our society. This book will frustrate those who are looking for a simple or black and white solution.

What this book does well is get the point across that the status quo, the stasis of poverty in our society, will not change with more of what we have been doing for the past few decades (think nonprofit industrial complex).

However, when proposing solutions or explaining how to create sustainable development by and for the people who live in low income communities, this book doesn't address how entrenched the US economy and political system is currently operating off the exploitation of the poor and lower class. Leaving the proposed solution, while a step in the right direction, superficial compared to the depth of the problem.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is not your typical "How to" book, it does shine a light on the effort one takes when embarking on a "community involvement" adventure.

I was looking at this book hoping it would give some guidance on how to get more neighbors interested in joining our local Community Association.

What I realized after reading most of this book is that any effort that I have adventured into has always been a "learn as you go" situation.

While I do not necessarily want to be a "developer," I do want to bring people together, because I believe that we all get better things done while working toward a mutual goal. Defining that thing which is mutual is sometime difficult, but it can be done.

This book gives both direct and indirect examples of making the world a better place.

Thank You, Majora Carter for this book.

[Zahreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I encountered Majora Carter on a podcast, and was interested in learning more and how it might apply to Harlem. So I checked out her book, but was disappointed to learn that it was more of an autobiography than a guide on how to responsibly develop and revitalize neighborhoods. All that being said, I think some of the most valuable points of encouraging home ownership as opposed to low income rental development and providing people the things they need to live in their neighborhood like grocery stores, cafes and real retail options, are critical to revitalizing a neighborhood. There should be a promotion of small business owned and operated by individuals who live in the community, rather than the big box takeover I currently see in Harlem. Government officials have much to learn from her, but maybe they can just listen to her TED talk.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

”We are taught to measure success by how far we get away from our own communities.”

”I believe that community is not just a place; it's an activity.”

”My faith reminds me there is nothing I can do to earn God’s love. It is simply there, available to experience.”

”I believed that even if I had used the term ‘Sunshine and Lollipops,’ they still would have hated it, in part because many of them are what are referred to in the policy world as Citizens against Virtually Everything, or CAVE People.”

Great book with an important focus. Carter does a wonderful job of sharing personal stories that connect to larger messages.

4.5/5

[Alicia Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thought-provoking book has me eager to find people to discuss the ideas with. My profession of affordable housing development doesn't come out looking very good. I appreciate taking a very fresh look at the field I've spent my career in, especially looking for opportunities to allow folks to pursue their dreams in their communities. Some of her critiques paint too broad a brushstroke. In my 29 years in the field, I haven't seen nonprofit developers in California charging $ 9 million developer fees. But, Carter's overall perspective is fresh, important, and inspiring, and the booknis an engaging read.

[Nathan Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It felt like a breath of fresh air, highly practical, cut through a lot of the BS, and was narratively interesting. Introduced me to the concept of the nonprofit industrial complex and left me wanting more.

Audiobook warning: the production was quite charming due to some editing mistakes (forgetting to cut out attempts at reading). In one of the chapters it was really bad and quite distracting, but otherwise it was fun to listen to Carter cycle through different potential intonations and stumble through word salads.

[Woody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enlightening book challenges conventional wisdom about how best to reclaim tough "low-status" neighborhoods, like the author's South Bronx NYC home. Carter faced many challenges while cleaning up a river, creating green space and even setting up a coffee shop there. In her words: "Change-whether it's related to consumer purchasing habits; sexism, racism, or any other ism; or just a better (but potentially disruptive) approach to doing things - is always met with the human inertia to resist change."

[Karim · Rating 4 out of 5]

With everything going on in the world I’ve leaned into the power of community, but what I wanted to know was more about that word ‘community’.

This book serves as a playbook for rebuilding your community. The author is right, low-income housing keeps people in the same circumstances. Further, lack of diversity in real estate development leads to a lack of diversity of thought—and design—when it comes to low-income housing.

I found the material fascinating and offered a look into how one Bronx native reclaimed her community and invested into it…before outsiders beat her to it.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The grand plan of how you become canon fodder for somebody else's plan. Why should Carter lose money on his house, when he can buy today cheap the neighboring house, and with your effort, Carter could sell at a great profit once you ”reclaim” the area.

Or a sure plan of how you stop being an individual and you become the worker ant other people need to fulfill their plans.

[Cyndi Rachol]

Am currently listening to the audio version & wow. I commend the author for taking on many projects as a self-starter, but truly, she needed to bring an audio editor on board to help. I'm on Chapter 13 & there are so many unedited stops & starts. It's frustrating to listen to and I really cannot tell you what this chapter even is about because the narrative is too disjointed.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book and was surprised at how much it inspired me to take action. Carter shares her perspective on strategies to support wealth-building capacity in communities from the inside via property development. I understand that “property/real estate development” can be a triggering topic, and, as Carter points out, it’s a major pathway to the redistribution of wealth.

[Luis Velasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Majora Carter is a brilliant author and an expert in community development, drawing from both her professional and lived experiences. It’s my favorite read of 2024 because of her ability to blend analytical insight with imaginative storytelling.