No Dead Ends: Pioneering Partnership In East Texas

Small Talk with Communities Unlimited

Are you ready to gain an understanding of the innovative strategies transforming rural communities? In today's episode, we sit down with the insightful Jerry Kenney, Program Officer at the TLL Temple Foundation. He gives us a comprehensive look at the foundation's mission for rural capacity-building, regional capacity-building, and community development.
Ever wondered how communities are navigating billion-dollar challenges? Jerry explains the art of thinking strategically and creatively to derive optimal solutions. He highlights how the TLL Temple Foundation is filling crucial structural gaps and creating a viable rural ecosystem, in an area the size of South Carolina that lacked CDFIs. The conversation takes an interesting turn as he discusses their efforts to leverage resources for transformational impacts, even amidst the global pandemic.
Finally, we'll learn about the barriers to rural community development and the creative solutions the TLL Temple Foundation has implemented to address them. Jerry provides a heart-touching account of his upbringing in rural East Texas and how it has fueled his passion for community development. He talks about the national attention the Temple Foundation is receiving and finishes by showcasing the potential for investment in East Texas. This episode will leave you inspired by the transformative work the TLL Temple Foundation and Communities Unlimited are doing to empower rural communities in East Texas.

Luvut

1. Rural Philanthropy and Community Development (00:00:00)

2. Addressing Billion-Dollar Challenges in Rural Communities (00:09:28)

3. Addressing Barriers to Rural Community Development (00:20:59)

4. Rural East Texas (00:28:47)