Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Dwayne Spencer, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, and Beverly Robertson, co-founder of Trust Marketing & Communications and former CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, who both highlight the CEO Build initiative, which aims to engage business leaders in affordable housing construction and community development.
Beverly explains that affordable housing is essential for workforce stability in Memphis, as stable housing leads to stronger neighborhoods, economic mobility, and better quality of life. She emphasizes that businesses should support initiatives like Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Build to strengthen the local workforce and community.
Dwayne discusses Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis’ work since 1983, including building nearly 650 homes and conducting over 2,000 aging in place repairs since 2015 for older adults. He outlines the importance of their providing zero-interest loans and their $62 million comprehensive campaign for the next four to five years, which includes building 150 new houses and conducting 1,250 additional repairs.
Dwayne announces a recruitment event on Monday, August 31st at Owen Brennan’s from 5:30 to 7:00 PM for those interested in learning more about the CEO Build and getting involved. Beverly explains her personal involvement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, highlighting the organization’s mission to provide interest-free loans for affordable housing and challenging business leaders to join, noting that they need 115 CEOs to sign on to the effort. Beverly emphasizes the long-term potential of this revenue stream and its benefits for Memphis, including reducing blight and strengthening communities.
Dwayne explains the details of the two upcoming CEO Build events: a recruitment reception on August 31st at Owen Brennan’s for business leaders and the CEO Build Exclusive Build Day on October 9th. He outlines the expectations for business leaders, including financial commitments at levels of $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000 and physical participation in the building activities. He emphasizes that CEOs should use their influence in the community to support Habitat’s mission of affordable home ownership and highlights how each built home activates a vacant lot.
Jeremy emphasizes the importance of CEOs physically serving in the community as a powerful statement of servant leadership and corporate commitment. Beverly highlights how visible leadership participation demonstrates that corporations “walk the talk” rather than just making empty promises. Dwayne reassures potential volunteers that the organization provides dedicated staff and construction leaders to support novice volunteers throughout the building process.
Dwayne explains that ReStore is an ongoing fundraiser with locations in Collierville and Memphis, along Winchester-Riverdale, where donations and shopping support affordable homeownership initiatives. The team provides the website memphishabitat.com as the primary resource for learning more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis and the CEO Build program.
Visit https://www.memphishabitat.com/ceo to learn more about the CEO Build with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis.
