Neighborhood Allies was recently featured in a national case study by ThinkTennessee, a nonpartisan policy think tank working to build a stronger, more equitable future in the state of Tennessee. The study lifts up our approach to advancing equitable economic development and closing the racial wealth gap—specifically how our community wealth-building strategies in Pittsburgh can inform statewide policy efforts elsewhere. Read more here.

Being recognized by a policy-focused organization outside of Pennsylvania is meaningful. It signals that our work resonates beyond our region and contributes to larger conversations around ownership, investment, and inclusive growth.

Closing the Credibility Gap

Too often, the people and organizations doing the deep, long-term work of neighborhood change aren’t the ones shaping the narrative about what’s working—or what’s possible. There can be a disconnect between lived expertise and institutional perception, particularly when it comes to decisions about funding and policy direction.

That’s why this case study from ThinkTennessee matters.

It affirms the work our team and partners have been doing for years—work rooted in trust, equity, and accountability to the communities we serve. It demonstrates that the solutions being built in Pittsburgh are not only effective locally, but also offer potential lessons and relevance for other cities and states.

As we continue working toward our North Star Goal of moving 100,000 low-to-moderate income Pittsburghers up the socio-economic ladder, we’re grateful for opportunities like this to bridge the gap between impact and influence—and to help ensure that those closest to the work are also shaping the future of it.