Community Development Project

Co-Directors:

Ololade Olakanmi: ( 319-594-0574) ololade_olakanmi@hks10.harvard.edu

Babak Mostaghimi: (617-821-1221) babak_mostaghimi@hks10.harvard.edu 

Who We Are & What We Do:

The Community Development Project (CDP) harnesses the academic and professional resources of Harvard University to facilitate civic engagement in economic development projects in underserved communities.

Our philosophy is grounded in a fundamental belief in the importance of locally driven economic development initiatives. We believe that success will be achieved when everyone, from community members to businesses and government, unites behind common interests and a shared vision for the future. As such, our goal is to bring people from all walks of life and from every sector together, see what the community wants for its future, and then work with everyone to build a vision of, and provide support for getting to, that goal.

The CDP Consulting Team is made up of Harvard Kennedy School students. We are diverse in race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage, and we all share a vision of America as a place where everyone has a chance to succeed. We are committed to making this vision of equal opportunity a reality. Most of us have a personal connection to communities in the South, and some of us have ties to the Delta in particular. We were drawn to Greenwood and Baptist Town because of their rich history and because we strongly believe that the residents of Greenwood and Baptist Town are in a unique position to shape their community’s future. Together, we will design a path to a better future for Baptist Town and for the broader community of Greenwood.

Our Vision for Greenwood & Baptist Town:

CDP envisions a Greenwood and Baptist Town in which everyone – from residents and their representatives to businesses and nonprofit organizations – works together to develop better homes, clean and safe streets, youth programming, and access to good jobs.

Our Mission:

CDP will work with Baptist Town residents to build locally driven partnerships and solutions that improve the quality of life within Baptist Town and Greenwood. We will achieve this by:

•Strengthening the ability of residents to advocate for their interests and achieve their goals;
•Connecting residents with local, regional, and national resources;
•Engaging the greater Greenwood community in the revitalization of Baptist Town; and
•Raising awareness of the assets and needs of Baptist Town, Greenwood, and the Delta region.