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Local Advisory Committee (LAC) Member Highlight: Jackie Dupont-Walker

Jackie Dupont-Walker is the founding president of the Ward Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in Los Angeles. She oversees the construction, remodeling, and management of over two hundred housing projects in Los Angeles. She also serves as the Chairman of the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, and is involved with multiple community work efforts with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E) and the Ward A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles.

1. Why were you interested in joining the LAC of LISC LA?

Actually my membership was stimulated by the fact that I was a member of the LISC National Board (where I served for 14 years). I would learn about the LA projects while at the National Board meetings and felt inadequate to explain or defend or in anyway support our deals. There was actually an uproar because no potential clients (non-profits) were being served when I made the request of the LA Executive Director at the time. Some felt that I might not hold confidences and others felt that their perspectives might be shared with other non-profits. After sharing my pedigree - credentialed and licensed social worker whose professional minimum standard included honoring confidentiality, I was approved and appointed by the National Executive Director - Paul Grogin. That trailblazing must have worked out because now we have multiple non-profits being served. 

2. What is the best part of your job (either your organization or as an LAC member)?

I suppose I am a LISCite. The national agenda and mission is so vital. Executing it at the local level is so meaningful. Actually, my organization has benefited in many ways.

A. WEDC's first development project was greatly facilitated by my enrollment in LISC LA's first Development Training class. Each applicant was required to come with a project/concept and while my first concept was childcare for ages 0 - 2, early in the course, WEDC earned the opportunity to develop senior housing and Ward Villas was the product. It is a 120 unit, one and two bedroom complex for low and very low income elders. It is a 1989 tax credit deal and sill considered a state-of-the-art facility. It is dubbed, "A Resort In The City".

B. WEDC has received recoverable and acquisition loans from LISC. In the future, we expect and hope to become a more robust borrower and continue to engage with all of the LISC producers.

C. WEDC has also participated in the AmeriCorp program and currently in the LISC Housing Development Training Institute.

WEDC is hopeful to add value to the outreach and empowerment of faith-centered community development corporations (CDCs), especially as many are being approached by developers who may not offer the best partnership options.  

Professionally, I am inspired by the people I work with at WEDC. They bring a commitment to their work. For some, it is a second chance, and I can see them bloom. When they go on to other pursuits and report how their time at WEDC helped them, it is a joy. Even those who have been fired, have come back later to say - now I get it.  

Personally, I have met so many great people who have become lifetime acquaintances and enjoyed being a part of the LISC movement. I've been exposed to excellence in a "big" non-profit.

3. How did you first get involved in the affordable housing/economic development sector?

Not a fair question, and somewhat complex, but I will try to answer. I am a lifelong member of a faith group (The African Methodist Episcopal Church) who embraces the mission of working with the poor and disenfranchised as a part of our theology. As a child and young adult, I found myself engaged in civil and human rights battles, and ultimately, via the Atlanta University School of Social Work, found the empowerment agenda in the field of social work. When faced with a clear question of what my life's mission is ordained to be, I came face-to-face with my Calling - social action, social justice, economic empowerment, and community engagement - all of which I "couch" under Community Development. It is natural for me. My father was a developer/builder of people and buildings. He could take a person into an open field with only weeds and describe a development that one could actually visualize with their "mind's eye". And as you might guess, he was my hero and continues to be my inspiration.

WARD EDC's Rosa Parks Villas is the first of a three-phase "Crenshaw Gateway" project, which will revitalize the Crenshaw corridor in Los Angeles.  The project consists of a 60-apartment complex for low- and very low- income seniors, age 62+.
WARD EDC's Rosa Parks Villas is the first of a three-phase "Crenshaw Gateway" project, which will revitalize the Crenshaw corridor in Los Angeles. The project consists of a 60-apartment complex for low- and very low- income seniors, age 62+.

4. What motivates you to work hard?

One elder at my local church in Los Angeles asked me to take her to a lottery, where she expected to have a fair chance to be a winner for an affordable housing unit. We went to Beverly Hills. She wore her Sunday best. When we arrived others had come with the same expectation.  Well, the truth is only 5 of the more than 65 units were eligible for the lottery. When we left, she had physically drooped as had the others who felt used, abused, and deceived. I vowed to NEVER use a lottery system and to find a way to make room for my elders in Los Angeles. A few years later, she qualified for an apartment at Ward Villas and remained until she was no longer able to live independently. In summary, I never asked her why she selected me, but I am confident that God was in that plan. And, WEDC has never used the lottery system. We conduct extensive outreach in the community whose demographics justified the building of affordable housing - that's only fair.

Please know that 27 years ago, I was given 6 months to live. I was told to get my house in order. With the support of my husband, Buford "Sonny" Walker, we faced that cancer challenge. I promised God and anyone else who would listen, that if I was given a second chance, I would never be found "slacking"; that I would make everyday count. NOTE:  My battle with cancer took place while Ward Villas was under construction and with a strong team, I never missed a beat.

Knowing why God has placed me in this space, at this time but the prospect of making a difference motivates me to "stay the course". Not only is every sign that I am doing what I am supposed to do a great motivator, but it inspires me when times are tough and especially when there is need for good policy and protection of our treasured legacies.
— Jackie Dupont-Walker

5. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

I would be a philanthropist setting policy to correct some of the greed and corruption that clouds the notion of democracy. I would help to institutionalize the appointment of people to positions of power who have overcome strong adversities and survived unbelievable trials in their life's walk.  

6. Who is your hero?

My father - King Solomon Dupont. He always demonstrated that I could fly - just believe. He inspired me to love my heritage, honor my lineage, and love people. He stood tall and was not afraid to stand alone if necessary. When I was able to take him to West Africa, it helped him to achieve a lifetime dream. He passed the Dupont mantle to me, the youngest of his five children, and I vowed to continue the journey. 

7. What are you most looking forward to in 2019?

Personally, I want my family to form a development organization to carry on the Dupont legacy - with the younger generation stepping up, while we are here to advise and assist, I want at least one of my children and/or grandchildren to be tapped for community development work.

Professionally, I am excited about WEDC's current project that will solve a problem before it becomes a crisis, with the development of Casa De Rosas, a campus for formerly homeless single-parents with a child. WEDC also hopes to begin work on Rosa Parks II, an emerging concept for mixed generations. WEDC is most proud of its community empowerment work that will focus on achieving a full count in the 2020 Census and monitoring the re-districting process at the local, state, and public education sectors. Finally, I am excited about what I can do to insure the future for WEDC. I hope that our new stakeholders along with our seasoned stakeholders will take it to the next level - and beyond.

Thank you for this opportunity to re-envision and re-commit to making a difference where I am planted.