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2025 Woodlawn United Annual Report

Page 1


DEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ,

Woodlawn has always been a community in motion. It lives in front porch conversations, shared meals, the hard work behind the scenes, and the quiet commitments people make to one another every day. This year felt like a turning point, not only because of what was accomplished, but because of what it signaled for the future.

In 2025, Woodlawn United marked two meaningful milestones. We celebrated 15 years of place-based work, and we are closing what has felt like the culmination of our “Power of” series. This past year was one of our most significant seasons of progress, depth, and alignment, and it challenged us to match our vision with the infrastructure needed to sustain it.

Our staff grew from 7 to 14, and our board welcomed four new members, strengthening our governance and broadening our reach. These steps were not taken for growth alone. They reflected our commitment to serving the community with excellence, consistency, and care.

We also deepened our impact across the neighborhood. We expanded our place-based efforts into Kingston, completed the capital campaign for i3 Academy, and reached major milestones that reflect Woodlawn’s continued evolution. We celebrated a ribbon cutting for new market-rate housing with Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, and we broke ground on the Cottages at Georgia Road, expanding affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. We also completed the Flourishing Neighborhood Index in Woodlawn through community surveys and asset mapping, and began that same process in Kingston, laying the groundwork for long-term transformation guided by residents and informed by real data.

Culture and belonging remain at the heart of thi community mural honoring Barbara Merchant, through the people she shaped and the love sh Woodlawn Sunday Dinner evolved into Woodlaw largest turnout yet We celebrated community l board members, Mike and Gillian Goodrich, for alongside the everyday leaders who continue t Woodlawn has also remained a launchpad for bu expand Places like House Eleven brought new fa Marketplace expanded its physical footprint, sign welcome, and thrive.

What we learned this year is both simple and pow rooted in the power of people. Programs, buildi the driving force. As we close the “Power of” chap the next 15 years of Woodlawn United look like? T momentum to legacy, from building systems t about ensuring that what we have created endur decades to come

Thank you for believing in Woodlawn. Thank y your hope. The legacy we create is a shared on with you.

With appreciation, Mashonda & Mike

Board of Directors

Organizational Structure

Development & Communications

Programmatic Initiatives

Real Estate & Community Development

Financial Impact

Contributors

Timeline What We Plan To Accomplish Next

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

T. Michael Goodrich II, Chairman

Principal, First Avenue Ventures

John D. Johns, Immediate Past Chairman

Protective Life Corporation

T. Michael Goodrich, Founding Chairman

President, Timberline Holdings

Gillian W. Goodrich, Vice Chairman

Community Volunteer

K. Wood Herren, Secretary

Partner, Bradley

Leroy Abrahams

Executive Vice President for Community Affairs, Regions Bank

Janelle Ahnert

Shareholder, Littler

Jason Avery

Program Director Ⅲ, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health

Nelson S. Bean

Retired Division CEO, Synovus

David Dada

Director of Government Relations, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Denson “D” Franklin

Retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Vulcan Materials Company

Myeisha D. Hutchinson

Chief of Staff, Birmingham City Council District 5, City of Birmingham

Kendra Key

Senior Vice President, Birmingham Black Business Initiative, Regions

Norman H. Ross, Jr.

Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.

Deakins F. Rushton

President, James Rushton I Foundation

Robert A. Simon

Chief Executive Officer, CR Endeavors

Ralph Williams, Jr.

Vice President, Alabama Power Company Birmingham Division 4

To strengthen our foundation, we built a true senior leadership team, adding a Chief Community Development Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Programs Officer, and Chief Operating Officer.

Dire f P bli Aff i s & Str s

LaShunta Boler J D MSW
Joe Ayers
Josh Vasa Chief Operating
Dr. Steven E. Hairston Chief Development Officer
Mashonda Taylor President & CEO
Emily Marr Di f G & Major
Morgan Montiel Di f D &
Duquette Johnston Director of Economic Vitality
Brad Jennings
TJ Carter Communications & M rketing Manager
Leigh Hancock Compliance Manager
Danielle Hardy Community Development Manager
Makyiah Barrow Office Manager
Bruce Belvins Program Coordinator
Matt Dale Lead Programs Coordinator
Nyla Boler Programs Manager

Initiation of Organizational Structure

In 2025, Woodlawn United implemented a staff reorganization to better align with its mission, vision, and strategic goals. The updated structure established four departments Community Development, Development, Operations, and Programs each led by a Chief, with all team members reporting directly to their respective department leader. This model strengthens accountability and clear feedback channels while encouraging crossdepartment collaboration through shared projects and task groups. All Chiefs report directly to the President and CEO.

Community Development | Joe Ayers

Community Development Projects

Regional Transportation Plan

Real Estate Holdings

Critical Repair Program

Operations | Josh Vasa

Human Resources

Business Operations

Finance

Data Management Administrative Functions

In-House Operations

Development | Dr. Steven E. Hairston, CFRM

Fundraising Strategy

Government Advocacy

Marketing & Communications

Grants Management

Major Gifts

Foundation & Corporate Engagement

Programs | LaShunta Boler, J.D., MSW

Economic Vitality Initiatives

Community Programming

School Partnerships

Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant

Community Connectors

The Woodlawn Effect - WE Lead

Fundraising

Woodlawn United experienced a successful year in its fundraising endeavors. With the addition of a Chief Development Officer and the solidifying of staff and functions, we were able to raise $1.8 million through a thoughtful strategy.

GRANTS

70 + PA R T N E R S H I P S

WOODLAWN SATURDAY SUPPER

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

This year, James Rushton Early Learning Center earned a 5-star rating—the highest level of excellence in child care from Alabama Quality STARS. This distinction reflects the center’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education and creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning. The center was recognized for outstanding performance in key areas, including Family Engagement, Program Design, and Learning Environment.

i3 Academy continues to set a high standard for academic excellence and innovation across all of its programs. i3 Academy Middle School earned the highest score on the Alabama State Report Card for the third consecutive year among comparable middle schools in Jefferson County. In addition, both i3 Academy Elementary and Middle School were named Apple Distinguished Schools, making them the first charter schools in Alabama to receive this prestigious designation.

James Rushton Early Learning Center
i3 Academy

Being an intern at Woodlawn United, I have learned how determination, positive relationships, and faith can reconstruct a community.

Deitric Young Birmingham Promise Intern

Internship Program

In partnership with The Birmingham Promise and the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, we hosted 13 interns this year, with placements spanning both the summer and academic semesters. These interns gained handson experience across key areas of our work, contributing to projects that support community development, outreach, and organizational growth.

The William Julius Wilson Institute at Harlem Children’s Zone visited Birmingham for a community learning tour to better understand local organizations and place-based, cradle-tocareer efforts. As the host organization, Woodlawn United facilitated site visits and discussions that highlighted neighborhood-led work and the types of support needed to sustain

community

This year, we proudly co-hosted the Woodlawn Fall Festival alongside i3 Academy and Growth Homes, creating a vibrant space for community connection and celebration. The event brought neighbors, families, and partners together for an evening filled with food trucks, games, music, and shared joy.

Woodlawn Fall Festival Harlem Children Zone
The Woodlawn Effect - (WE) Lead
The Harvard EdRedesign Partnership
Mwannasheria Edwards, Owner of Modern Beauty

THE WOODLAWN EFFECT - (WE) LEAD FELLOWSHIP GRADUATES

2 0 0 + CHILDREN SERVED AT JAMES RUSHTON EARLY LEARNING CENTER

STUDENTS ENROLLED AT I3 ACADEMY (K-10)

Resident Capacity Building

In July 2025, Woodlawn United, in partnership with Navigate Affordable Housing Homes, and Locke General Contractors, broke ground on four new energy-effic homes in West Woodlawn to expand access to high-quality, for-purchase housin partners celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting. Over the past year, a to homes have been delivered in West Woodlawn, expanding for-sale housing opti a range of income levels and activating key blocks near the i3 Academy campus

Transit Oriented Development

West Woodlawn

Critical Repair

In addition to our longstanding homeowner rehabilitation program for legacy residents, Woodlawn United partnered with the City of Birmingham to advance its Critical Repair program. Since the program's launch, 50 essential home repair projects have been completed, representing a total investment of $1,033,328 in contractor services and critical home repairs for residents of Birmingham.

First envisioned in 2018, the Cottages on Georgia Road advanced through a multi-year pre-development process that secured city and state commitments and finalized an approximately $3.9 million capital plan. A community-wide groundbreaking was held in August to mark the transition to construction. Site preparation is now underway, with earthwork and tree removal supporting the start of vertical construction. The development will deliver eight deeply affordable rental cottages and 12 for-sale townhomes.

191 HOMES REHABILITATED

33 HOMES ADDED AT THE COTTAGES AT WOOD STATION

9 HOMES BUILT BY NCRC

Cottages on Georgia Road
Navigate Affordable Housing Partners
Our Partners City of Birmingham
SYMS Contractors

Malisa and Leroy Abrahams

Abroms Charitable Foundation

Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Alabama Outdoors

Altec-Styslinger Foundation

Ruby S. & John P. Ansley Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Ginny and Richard Anthony

Ilham Askia

Avadian Credit Union

Joe Ayers

Candice Bagby

Barnes & Associates, Realtors

Makyiah Barrow

Kimberly and Nelson Bean

Tracey and Rich Bielen

Tarana and Derrick Billups

Frances Blount

Mary and Chris Boehm

Matt Boehm

LaShunta and Nick Boler

Nina and Ken Botsford

Jean and Nick Bouler

Bradley Arrant Boult Cummings

Tracy and John Bragg

Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Elna Brendel

Brooke Family Foundation

Camille Bryson

David Bryson

Burton Family Foundation

Camille Butrus

Antonio Carter Jr.

Bridget Carter

Faye and Bill Clark

Louise and Butch Clayton

Margaret and Archie Cobbs

Margaret and Luther Cochrane

Claire Cole

Bill Cole

Ellen Colehower

Brooke and Daniel Coleman

Yazmin Contreras

David Cook

Chelsea Cooper

Kathryn and Allen Corey

Ron Cromwell

Matthew Dale

Lyndra and Bill Daniel

Debby and Bill Denson

Anna Donald

Patsy Dreher

James Dunn

Dunn-French Foundation

Suzanne Durham

Lisa and Alan Engel Foundation

Amy Fineburg

First Avenue Ventures

Brooke and David Fleming

Kayla Foy

Cecile and D. Franklin

Precious Freeman

Mary and Jamie French

Quiwintre Frye

JoAnne and Nick Gaede

Lee and Jimmy Gewin

Johnie Gieger

Fran and Bill Goodrich

Ali and Charles Goodrich

Grace Goodrich

Gillian and Mike Goodrich

Elizabeth and Mike Goodrich II

Deon Gordon

Frances and Miller Gorrie

Suzanne and Mike Graham

Melanie and Jay Grinney

Ingrid Hairston

Steven E. Hairston, Ph.D.,CFRM

Leigh and Jim Hancock

Danielle Hardy

Lee Ann and Jim Harris

Margaret and Holman Head

Donna and Wood Herren

Logan Herring

Ronne and Donald Hess

Carey and Bill Hinds

Patricia Hoban-Moore

Marquis Hollingsworth

Hugh Kaul Foundation

Jan Hughey

Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation

Donald M. James Family Foundation

Jemison Investment Company

Brad Jennings

Nancy Dunlap and John Johns

Kristina Johnson

Raven Johnson

Roy Johnson

Duquette Johnston

Gibby Johnston

Walker and Bill Jones

Eddie Jones

Isaac Jones

Cathy and Paul Jones

Zhaundra Jones

Kemp Management Solutions

Kendra Key

Brittney King

T. Marie King

Faye and Robert Levin

Emily and Bob Levine

Linda Lucas

Luke 6:38 Foundation

Alice Marks

Rosalind Markstein

Emily Marr

Cecilia Matthews

Lisa McCarroll

Dawn and Joe McCarty

Clay McDowell

Carol McElheney

Maegan and Rich McRoberts

Nicola Metcalf

Mariohn Michel

Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation

Miles College Community Development Corporation

Ben Miree

Morgan Montiel

Steve Mote

Mouron Family Foundation

Susan and Alex Nading

Kate and Claude Nielsen

John North

Holly Nuffer

O'Neal Industries

Allene and Foots Parnell

Eric Pearson

Al Peyton

Diana and Gray Plosser

Margaret and Kip Porter

ProInked

Lora and Bill Ratliff

Diana Rawlings

Regions Bank

Joan and Jim Rein

Neal and Dudley Reynolds

Robert R. Meyer Foundation

Robins & Morton

Barbara Royal

Gail and Deak Rushton

Margaret and Francis Rushton

Ricky Sessions, Sr.

Margot and Gates Shaw

Bill Smith

Elizabeth and Clyde Smith

Garland Smith

Hatton C.V. Smith

Murray Smith

Morgan Smoke

Linda and Alan Speaker

Lynne and Steve Spencer

Camille Spratling

Joan and Stan Starnes

Stephens Foundation

Jim T. Stephens

Rusty Stewart

Pardis and Frank Stitt

Linda and Jeff Stone

Amanda Storey

Mary Lee Sullivan

Sawyer Summers

Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust

Gabriel Tajeu

Elizabeth Barbaree Tasker

Mashonda Taylor

Lora and Bill Terry

Thank You Bookshop

The Daniel Foundation of Alabama

The H. Evan Zeiger, Jr. & Margaret

Zeiger Charitable Foundation

The PNC Financial Service Group

The Thompson Foundation

The Women's Foundation of Alabama

Cameron Thompson

Edward “E.J. ” Turner

Keaira Turner

Josh Vasa

John Vereen

Barbara and Bill Viar

Cameron and Scott Vowell

Vulcan Materials Company

Kristin Waters

Lee and Rusty Whatley

Wendy and Bew White

Toya Williams

Latressa Wilson

MacKenyzie Woods

Sally Worthen

Launched Homeowner Rehabilitation Program

Received LIHTC Allocation for the Park at Wood Station

Citizens on Patrol is created in partnership with the City of Birmingham

Purpose Built Communities Network

James Rushton Early Learning Center opened Woodlawn Sunday Dinner started

Woodlawn Effect $7 Million Capital Campaign initiated

Visited by United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch

Opening of the Woodlawn Street Market Launched Woodlawn Innovation Network, Inlcuding Early College at Woodlawn High School

Park at Wood Station Opens with 64 housing units

Purpose Built Communities Conference hosted in Woodlawn MCP Program is expanded to include all schools in the WIN Network

Woodlawn United founded by Mike and Gillian Goodrich
First staff hired City of Birmingham approves Woodlawn Urban Renewal and Redevelopment Plan

Jones Valley Teaching Farm partners with Woodlawn United Methodist Church to initiate a food pantry service

Sally Mackin, Woodlawn Executive Director, retires

Pat Hoban-Moore named interim Executive Director

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited the Woodlawn community Constructed 7 market rate homes

Conclusion of Mike Goodrich I term and Chair of the Board of Directors

John “Johnny” D. Johns named Chair of the Board of Directors

WE Lead leadership development program launched

Bayles Catering and Restaurant opened

Purchased First Baptist Church as the location for i3 Academy

Charterlegislationchanged,givingpriority accesstoWoodlawnresidentsfori3Academy

Groundbreaking for the Cottages on Georgia Road

Groundbreaking and Ribbon Cutting of 4 new houses in West Woodlawn

Initial Saturday Supper held in October PNC Mobile Bank is deployed on 1st Avenue South

New leadership and organizational structure is adopted - 4 Departments led by 4 Chiefs

Strive Birmingham breaks ground on new location in Woodlawn

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Woodlawn 18 new businesses opened $41 million had been invested in the Woodlawn community since 2010

I3 Academy opened as an Alabama Public Charter School

Christ Health Center opened Live Oaks Clinic

Launched Woodlawn United Community App to provide updates to residents on resources and public safety matters during the pandemic

Convened 20 partners to form the Woodlawn Area Food Insecurity Collaborative

Mashonda Taylor is named President & CEO

Hosted over 450 participants for the Purpose Built Communities National Conference

Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant is awarded

SHIPT sponsored Neighborhood Grocery Store Study is released

Final Woodlawn United Sunday Dinner is held

Jazz on 55th Street opens its doors for business

WHAT WE PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH NEXT

Development of an Investable Plan for multi-year fundraising, capital, and op to support the mission and programmatic endeavors of Woodlawn United.

Advance the strategic framework for 2025-2030, positioning Woodlawn Unite Purpose Built Communities model for Alabama.

Deepen influence across Birmingham and statewide through public-private and policy engagement.

Assist with facilitation and execution of the City of Birmingham’s Cradle-To-C in partnership with Harlem Children’s Zone.

HELP US BUILD A THRIVING COMMUNITY

The Vision of Woodlawn United is to grow a safe and healthy community where children learn and play, families live in quality housing, parents work in stable jobs, businesses thrive and everyone contributes to the growth of Greater Birmingham. Scan the QR code on the back to donate!

GIVEONCE

Make an impact with a one-time gift today.

STARTA FUNDRAISER

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GIVE MONTHLY

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STOCK

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PLANNED GIVING

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15 YEARS OF 15 YEARS OF CELEBRATING CELEBRATING COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

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2025 Woodlawn United Annual Report by woodlawnunited - Issuu