This story is part of Neighborhood Allies 10-Year Anniversary Storytelling Series | Read more here

For over a decade, the Hilltop community has harnessed the power of grassroots leadership, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to revitalization. What began as small, determined efforts to support local entrepreneurs and reclaim neglected spaces has evolved into a movement—one that has secured the resources, partnerships, and vision to drive lasting change.

Jmar Bey Steps Up | In 2015, Jmar Bey of South Hilltop Men’s Group (SHMG), a fiscally sponsored project of New Sun Rising, joined Neighborhood Allies’ Community Leadership Forum, forging critical connections to drive community change. He also served on the Grassroots Grantmaking Committee, helping distribute Love My Neighbor Grants to grassroots initiatives. The same year, Work Hard Pittsburgh partnered with New Sun Rising to receive a $15,000 grant from Neighborhood Allies to solidify its legal framework as an incubator. 

2016 saw Neighborhood Allies back SHMG with another $15,000 grant, fueling the Lots of Pride program to reclaim vacant lots and equip Hilltop Rising with essential tools. That same year, catalytic grants from Neighborhood Allies of $75,000 and $74,000 were awarded to New Sun Rising (NSR) and Hilltop Alliance, respectively, to foster cooperative business development and property stabilization. 

“Jmar doesn’t just see a building—he sees an ecosystem of impact.”

The Road to Community Ownership | By 2017, New Sun Rising acquired 744 E. Warrington Ave., ensuring it would remain a community asset. The following year, Neighborhood Allies connected Hilltop Rising with GTECH, securing a contract as the hauler/staffer for the Pittsburgh Mobile Toolbox—further embedding them in the neighborhood’s community infrastructure. 

In 2021, Allentown’s entrepreneurial ecosystem experienced a transition, as Work Hard Pittsburgh, the incubator that had helped ignite small business growth in the neighborhood, announced it was winding down after more than a decade of supporting local entrepreneurs. While Work Hard’s legacy laid the foundation for innovative, cooperative business models, Hilltop Rising is now carrying that torch, creating fresh opportunities for community-led economic development.  By 2023, Neighborhood Allies facilitated Jmar Bey’s connection with attorney Zak Thomas, a long-time partner and former staff member at Neighborhood Allies/LISC, providing the legal guidance needed to finalize the purchase of 744 E. Warrington Ave. With $302,000 in Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) funding secured, Hilltop Rising is set to transform the space into a hub for small businesses, create six new jobs, and establish two affordable housing units. More than just a real estate transaction, this acquisition represents a commitment to long-term community growth, economic opportunity, and the revitalization of a historic neighborhood. 

More Than Just a Building | “This isn’t just about four walls and a roof,” said Siena Kane, now Assistant Director of Commercial Lending at URA. “This is about long-term investment in people, opportunity, and the fabric of the neighborhood.”  Zak Thomas echoed this sentiment, stating, “Jmar doesn’t just see a building—he sees an ecosystem of impact.”  For Jmar Bey, the journey has been personal. Raised in Beltzhoover, he never imagined he’d one day own a key piece of Allentown’s business district. Reflecting on the past, he said, “Growing up, there were clear racial lines—we weren’t welcome in Allentown. But things have changed, and now, with the support of so many, we’re reclaiming our space. This feels right. This feels meant.”

The Future is Bright | Hilltop Rising isn’t just about a single success story—it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and vision. As the project unfolds, it’s poised to serve as a model for inclusive economic development, proving that when communities invest in their own, everyone rises.