253 - Lia McIntosh on Community Development

<p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Join the Getting Smart team today as they explore community development with community expert, Lia McIntosh!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Lia McIntosh is a marketer, organizer, pastor, and most recently, a grant-maker. She leads the Education Fellows Program at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri. The program’s goal is cultivating community leaders who are advocates for education. It’s a nine-month opportunity for 37 civic and faith leaders to learn and travel together.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">In the last year, the Getting Smart team has had the opportunity to plan and facilitate several site visits with Ed Fellows and Lia. During this, they visited a remarkable corporation where they learned all about the ‘Lawndale miracle’ <span style="color: #14171a;">—</span> the transformation of a low-income community in West Chicago. It’s a great story of patient and persistent community development sparked by Wayne ‘Coach’ Gordon and the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC). When Tom and Lia visited Coach in Lawndale they were fortunate enough to see what he’s building with the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). And in today’s podcast, you’ll hear snippets from Coach himself from that visit!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Be sure to tune in to hear all of Lia and Coach’s invaluable insights on community development!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">[:10] About today’s episode!</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">[1:14] Tom welcomes Lia McIntosh to the podcast.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">[1:21] Did Lia grow up in Missouri?</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">[1:29] Why did Lia decide to study business?</span></p> <p><spa