An Intro to CDFIs: Compassion, Community, & Financing

Four Degrees to the Streets

In this episode of the Four Degrees to the Streets podcast, hosts Nimo and Jas interview Natasha Dowell, a Loan Officer at a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) located in the Southeast US. Natasha has over a decade of public health experience and is passionate about bringing to life community development projects that advance health equity. Her public health experience covers a wide range including behavioral health, nutritional and physical fitness, maternal and child health, and foodborne outbreaks. Natasha brings her planning and public health training as a lender for a variety of projects, including charter schools and affordable housing developments.

Press play to hear:

• Natasha’s background and career path as well as what community development means to her and why it is critical for Black people in the US
• The intersection of public health and the planned + built environment that results in increased access or lack of opportunities
• The lifecycle of a CDFI project and how an organization makes final decisions. She also shares her hot takes on the biggest problems facing cities and potential solutions

This episode provides valuable insights into community development and the role of CDFIs in urban planning. Natasha's experience and expertise make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in community development and urban planning. Feel free to visit the CDFI 101 Toolkit to learn more about the industry.

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

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Resources

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | What makes a long life?