In Part 1 of this Future Tide Conversations episode, we meet James Johnson-Piett, the dynamic Principal and CEO of Urbane Development and Board Chair of Mangrove Community Wealth, Inc, and uncover the beginnings of a journey that is transforming communities. James’s story starts with a question: What if the key to reviving neighborhoods lies with the people who already live there? With that question in mind, he set out to reinvent community development from the inside out. He takes us through how he launched Urbane Development during the 2008 economic downturn, a bold move that exemplified courage and faith in his mission. James recounts those early days, from convincing the first partners and funders to trust a community-led approach, to tangible early successes like helping open new businesses that addressed urgent local needs, including bringing a grocery store to an area that hadn’t seen one in years. 

In this episode, listeners will hear how James built the foundation of his work. He discusses learning the ropes of finance and urban planning but also unlearning traditional top-down methods. We talk about how he focused on trust and relationships, spending countless hours in conversation with small business owners and residents to co-create solutions. James also reflects on the personal side, the doubts he had to overcome, and the resilience he cultivated to keep pushing forward. He shares how community support, mentors, peers, and early believers played a crucial role in turning a solitary idea into a collaborative movement. 

This Part 1 conversation sets the stage, highlighting themes of innovation, empathy, and grit. James’s early journey shows that representation matters not just in who gets opportunities, but in who leads the charge. His work aligns strongly with Rising Tide Capital’s vision over the past 21 years, that big change grows from humble roots when entrepreneurs in every community get a chance to shine. 

Tune in to Part 1 to be inspired by how James started building a new paradigm of community wealth. It is a testament to the power of a single vision and the early steps that turn that vision into reality. Don’t forget to catch Part 2, where we’ll dive into how James scaled up that impact and what it means for the future of inclusive economies. 

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