I’ve been spending a lot of time lately listening and learning, trying to understand how to respond to what’s happening in this country. What does it mean that so much of what we’ve fought for in economic and racial justice is actively under attack, while at the same time, we know that what we had before wasn’t working for any of us anyway?
I recently heard Professor Sherrilyn Ifill speak at a Black Economic Alliance Summit about what she calls planting time — drawing parallels to the post-Reconstruction era, when progress required both imagination and endurance. The idea has stayed with me. While it was one of the worst times for Black American progress, it was also when of our most longstanding cultural and civic institutions were launched within the chaos. You can hear Professor Ifill discuss these ideas further in this podcast and in this review.
While I’m alarmed by what’s happening in the world — and by the impact on so many of our partners — I’m also clear about our role in this moment. Across our network, we’re seeing nonprofits lose funding, federal programs slow, and philanthropy pull back, even as communities face new emergencies in their neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, our mission has never been only about fighting for survival each day; it’s also about planting for the future. At East Freedman & Main, planting time means continuing to work alongside community-based organizations across the country that are actively fighting for control of their neighborhoods. This summer, we began new partnerships in Watts, Los Angeles and Queens, New York, and conducted deep-dive strategy sessions with communities in New Hampshire, Georgia, Trenton, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA.
Planting time also means doubling down on the resources we invest in research and development — designing catalytic and community-owned land acquisition vehicles and building prototypes that demonstrate what’s possible. To that end, we’re beginning to explore what it would look like to raise flexible, impact-driven capital for East Freedman & Main — ensuring that we can keep planting during this time, sustain our work with partners, and continue developing the tools communities need to compete for control of their neighborhoods through the end of the year and beyond.
I’m deeply grateful for the calls we get and the people who’ve been inspired by the work we do. Thanks to so many of you who read this newsletter, share our updates, forward our info, make introductions, and spread the word about our webinars. The number one thing people tell us is, “We didn’t know this was possible until we saw Kingsbridge Armory, or heard about LCDC, or met so-and-so.” I’m incredibly thankful for the community around us — and for the opportunity to keep expanding what’s possible together.
As we continue to build through this planting time, we welcome your partnership. Please continue to introduce us to folks in your ecosystems — especially community organizations launching big visions, and catalytic funders focused on systems change, building economic-justice prototypes, and planting ideas that will withstand the current season. We’re eager to connect with those ready to reimagine structural challenges and help communities access the catalytic capital they need to compete, thrive, and own their future.
Thank you,
Elisse Douglass, Founder & CEO of East Freedman & Main
A Vision for Change
East Freedman & Main is a fictional intersection that represents the thriving futures for historically neglected communities. Each neighborhood’s version of “East Freedman & Main” will be unique, but all will focus on repairing historical harms and reimagining a future that meets their needs and vision for change.
"East" signifies the historically marginalized Black communities in the eastern parts of cities, "Freedman" references the lost wealth of Black Americans due to the failure of Freedman's Savings Bank, and "Main" evokes the once-thriving Black commercial hubs like Elmwood.
While our company is deeply rooted in Black communities, this concept transcends race and location, applying to all places across the U.S. that aspire to build a future based on their own values and cultural legacies. The fictional intersection symbolizes the work of building new, vibrant places rooted in cultural legacy and community empowerment, which is at the heart of East Freedman & Main’s mission.
Left to Right: Paul Lipson, Barretto Bay Strategies; Sandra Lobo, Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC); Elisse Douglass, East Freedman & Main
Kingsbridge Armory: A Historic Step for Community-Led Development
EFM is proud to have played a background yet pivotal role in the just-announced agreement for the Kingsbridge Armory project in the Bronx. In collaboration with the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), 8th Regiment Partners, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation, this deal secures over 125,000 square feet for true community ownership—over 20% of the site’s footprint—including a new community hub and affordable commercial space for local businesses. A Community Council, co-convened by NWBCCC, will help govern key decisions and a Benefit Fund will support long-term, resident-driven investment.
This is more than a real estate deal; it’s a breakthrough in how cities can center local voices, embed wealth-building, and flip old power dynamics on their head.
“...We are thrilled to support the leadership team, board of directors, and Armory Steering Committee in translating their values into a project that reimagines a future for their community and redefines what’s possible for communities not just in New York City but across the country.” - Elisse Douglass
+ More: We are fundraising catalytic Philanthropy, Predevelopment Funding and New Markets Tax Credits for this project. Reach out if you are interested in getting involved.
Just Communities Webinar Recap: Land, Capital, Power
In July, Elisse Douglass and Todd Hestand joined Just Communities for a deep dive into our model for equitable development. On the webinar we discussed what it takes to break the traditional development cycle—moving beyond extraction and displacement toward community control, anti-displacement, and lasting economic sovereignty.
The webinar showcased both EFM’s “why” and our hands-on “how,” including:
Partnering with CBOs on neighborhood-scale transformation
Raising and structuring catalytic capital
Operationalizing equity—in products, process, and ownership
Building business technical assistance (BTAP) networks to ensure economic mobility
If you missed it, check out the recording. We hope it offers both inspiration and practical strategies as you work to remake what’s possible wherever you are.
Registration is full for our October business technical assistance program workshop. We are thrilled to see so much interest in our BTAP methodology and program. Keep an eye out for a save-the-date for our next event, which will be held in January.
Turning Data into Housing Solutions: PolicyMap Case Study
This summer, we saw first-hand how smart data and community insight are reshaping the housing landscape.
A recent PolicyMap case study in Indianapolis illustrates how layering demographic, affordability, and lending data uncovers the deepest needs—and the greatest opportunities for targeted action.
EFM applies the same rigor across our national work: integrating indicators, surfacing gaps, and guiding partners toward investments with the power to move the needle for resident stability, equity, and long-term value. The takeaway? Data is a starting point, but it becomes truly powerful when paired with community wisdom and a vision for structural change.
We’re building a stronger network of collaborators and are always seeking new partners—funders, practitioners, advocates—who share our values.
We are fundraising. There is an urgent need for catalytic philanthropy across both our partner projects and within EFM itself as we chart a sustainable path through this planting season. Our partners in Chicago and New York are actively seeking predevelopment funding, New Markets Tax Credits, and flexible bridge financing. We welcome introductions and connections — locally and nationally — to those interested in helping advance this work.
We are growing. We are always looking for mission-driven project managers (part-time and full-time) to join our growing team. If interested in being a part of our mission, send an email with a cover letter and resume to people@efm-co.com.
We are speaking. Looking for a keynote or panelist to speak about economic development, business technical assistance programs or rebuilding communities? We’re here to answer the call.
We are traveling. Come meet our team!We’ll be on the road through the end of the year — visiting Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, the Bay Area, Washington DC, New Orleans, Atlanta, Columbus, and Los Angeles. If you’d like to connect while we’re in your city, reach out — we’d love to see you.
Thank you for connecting us with your network! Your support—from sharing this newsletter to connecting us with mission-aligned leaders—helps expand the impact and reach of this movement.
EF&M IN MOTION
Partner With Purpose
Let’s talk about how you can get involved and support East Freedman & Main in our mission to reclaim and revitalize communities. Spread the word by sharing this with your network—together, we can make an even greater impact.
