Our founders are a team of researchers, community activists, thought leaders, and concerned citizens, whose goal is to transform underserved communities through engagement, education, and restoration.
To promote fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all underserved communities and individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in designing and implementing economic and social development projects.
We believe all segments of the public should have opportunities to participate in decisions that could affect their quality of life and that their input should be reflected in policies implemented by government officials, regulatory agencies, and other decision-makers.
We foster development strategies that benefit all segments of the community and also reduce inequities created by past decisions.
Dr. Johnson Austin is a leader with over 25 years of experience across corporate, education, community, and nonprofit sectors. She specializes in developing strategies and processes that advance organizational missions and deliver measurable impact. She earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University,
an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. In 2015, she was honored as Penn State’s Outstanding Engineering Alumnus in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Dr. Stewart is a trailblazer as the inaugural Vice Provost for Educational Equity of The Pennsylvania State University from 1990-1998. During his tenure he produced the university’s first diversity strategic plan, “A Framework to Forster Diversity at Penn State: 1998-2003.” Upon retiring in 2009 from Penn State, Dr. Stewart became Professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, African and African American Studies, and Management and Organization. He has extensive experience in diversity Management research in the public sector and the U.S. military. Most notable is the annual analyses for the Department of Defense of the Military Equal Opportunity 11 Assessments (MEOAs) submitted by each branch of the U.S. military. In addition, Dr. Stewart is the author and co-author of several books on the study of discrimination related to housing, race and culture. Dr. Stewart earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics from Cleveland State University and the University of Notre Dame, respectively.
Dr. Sheffield has a wide range of experience in educational consulting, training, project management, strategic planning, international education, accreditation, and assessment. As a Fulbright Scholar at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, she spent six months on the island as an educational technology consultant for teacher educators and their students. As an educator with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Sheffield earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from California University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in Counselor Education from Slippery Rock University, and a doctorate in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, she holds certifications in special education (K-12), elementary education (K-6) and elementary guidance. Dr. Sheffield retired after 24 years at California University of Pennsylvania, where she served in the positions of Associate Provost, Associate Vice President in the Office of Academic Affairs, and professor and chair of the Childhood Education Department.