Training from 30 years in West Dallas

Blueprint your city’s future.

Neighborhood renewal without displacement, turned into training for investors, partners and local leaders.

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Architectural blueprint sketch of a city block
30 yearsof City Transformation field work
73 modulesacross 8 tracks
38%drop in violent crime in the West Dallas target area

Documented track record

Started in West Dallas. Now in five cities.

38%Drop in violent crimeWest Dallas Weed and Seed target area, by May 2009, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice program.
2008–2015Chair, Dallas Ethics Advisory CommissionRandel H. Skinner, appointed by unanimous City Council vote; Code of Ethics amendments adopted 2015.
2016 · 2019Appointed by the Governor of TexasOneStar Foundation Board, which administered the $100 million Rebuild Texas Fund after Hurricane Harvey.
2013Drug houses returned to the neighborhoodWith the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal, four forfeited gang houses on Life Avenue went to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

Cities being transformed

West Dallas · West Palm Beach · Kansas City · Corpus Christi · Port Aransas

Sources: City of Dallas City Secretary; Office of the Texas Governor; U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas; West Dallas Weed and Seed 2008 program narrative.

What you’ll learn

8 tracks, 73 modules

A tool, not a theory. Each module gives you the steps, templates and examples to renew your own neighborhood, from crime and safety to Opportunity Zone finance and disaster relief.

ICrime & Safety13 modules IIReal Estate11 modules IIIPublic Policy11 modules IVCommunity Engagement & Empowerment11 modules VNon-Profit & Faith-Based6 modules VIHealth & Wellness6 modules VIIOpportunity Zone Finance & Compliance9 modules VIIIDisaster Relief & Recovery11 modules

Track → Module → Class. Every module is nine one-hour classes, and class 9 is always capstone prep. See the full module list.

Who it’s for

Four ways to take part

Each role comes with its own access, coaching and responsibilities. Compare all four.

InvestorsPlace Opportunity Zone capital in projects that return and don’t displace. PartnersDevelopers, builders, lenders, CDCs and city officials working alongside them. Local leadersPastors, nonprofit leaders and neighbors ready to lead change where they live. SupportersSpread the word as a free affiliate, including churches seeking new income.

Co-founders

The people behind the West Dallas model

One organized the city, faith and law-enforcement partners. The other built the homes.

Randel H. Skinner

Randel H. Skinner

Co-founder

An urban specialist who organizes faith, business, city and law-enforcement partners around one neighborhood plan, and the author of the City Transformation curriculum.

  • Served on the committee rebuilding Port Aransas after Hurricane Harvey
  • Executive director of the Greater Dallas Justice Revival, which launched the Homes for Our Neighbors campaign
  • President of FEED 3 Inc.; former director of the National Conference on Crimes Against Children
Norman Henry

Norman Henry

Co-founder

A licensed builder and affordable-housing leader with more than 36 years in community development, who turned West Dallas land-bank lots into homes for working families.

  • Created the Urban Land Bank, clearing title on more than 6,000 lots for affordable homes; Texas Community Hall of Fame
  • Congressional Award (2012) for impact on urban areas in West and Southern Dallas
  • Advisory boards including JPMorgan Chase Bank, Enterprise Community Partners and the HUD Faith-Based Task Force

What we’re building toward

  • Scale the model to other communities through technology and local partnerships.
  • Equip young leaders with proven practices for impact where they live.
  • Invest without displacement in Opportunity Zone projects that are good for residents, with an earthly and an eternal impact.
  • Strengthen the Church by showing change is possible together, and funding local ministry and missions.

Next step

Request a briefing

Tell us how you would like to take part and we will send the schedule for the next cohort.

skinner.randy@gmail.com214-316-1356