This morning, we took a tour around the Hill District. We met Terri Baltimore, the ambassador of the Hill District. Her roots run deep throughout the community, as we saw everyone honking when they saw her! Our tour consisted of driving through the streets of the Hill District. She showed us key historical landmarks and areas shaped by both historical displacement and ongoing changes. Seeing the neighborhood through the eyes of someone so invested made something clear. Real community development isn’t about imposing external plans onto a neighborhood but rather about listening to those who already call it home.

After she told us about the history throughout the year of the Hill District, I believe the most important asset a neighborhood needs to thrive is its community. She had told us that outsiders were trying to govern the Hill District, but the original overseers and community fought against it. The construction also provides the Hill District with a sense of originality. Terri had given us an example: a Family Dollar actually looking appealing, or the flowers hung up on street poles. Ultimately, a neighborhood thrives when business leaders listen first and empower the community to shape its future.