[00:06] Nan McKay: Is the middle class left out of housing opportunities? Find out what Tiara Harris is doing to help.

[00:13] Nan McKay: Welcome. I'm Nan McKay, the voice behind trailblazers impact, your beacon to extraordinary women trailblazing unique paths. Our podcast spotlights luminaries whose life stories inspire and empower delivered to your ears bi weekly. Buckle up for another episode packed with powerful narratives and empowering journeys on trailblazers impact. Stay with us.

[00:39] Nan McKay: This is Nan McKay, and in today's episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Tiara Harris, the dynamic founder and CEO of Communities of Tomorrow. Fueled by an impassioned desire to bridge the housing gap for middle class families, Tierra has diligently worked toward establishing affordable housing resources in several states, including Georgia and North Carolina. With a keen focus on homebuyer assistance programs and senior living, Tierra is determined to assist those who find themselves caught in the financial gap unable to qualify for the luxury homes on this side or the government subsidies on the other side. So apart from spearheading communities of tomorrow, she also serves as UDS, a package for the 502 direct loan program and affordable housing development for the rail district, where her role encompasses a gamut of responsibilities, from mentoring acquisition personnel to negotiating contract terms. Join us as we delve into the journey and the impactful work of this committed trailblazer in the housing sector. So welcome, tiara.

[02:06] Teara Harris: Hi. How you doing? I'm so happy to be here today. Yes, ma'am.

[02:13] Nan McKay: Could you start by telling us about the genesis of communities of tomorrow and what ignited your passion to assist middle class families in securing affordable housing?

[02:26] Teara Harris: Well, everybody deserves a stable place to live, right? Whether you are rented or home ownership. And so that was the goal, to have stable living environments. And we are in a family now that the housing market is very hard to come by. We are dealing with inflation on a day to day basis. So for me, my background was HR, and I seen a lot of people on the, on the production floor that was making the money to live, to live in home ownership, but did not have the resources to help them out with that. So with that being said, it may know my thought process is if you create opportunities and resources for people, that they thrive and that makes the community thrive. So now we will have a stable community that people are spending money into the community. So the goal is whether you are wanting to do home ownership or be a, or if you want to just be a realtor, it's about being stable and comfortable enough to spend money into your community. Because when a community thrives, you know, then people take pride in the community, then we want, we will have less crime, we will have a beautiful community and we will have, you know, a place that we can call home and everybody is accepted. So for me, it was very important for me to start this back in the community system tomorrow, back in 2020.

[04:21] Nan McKay: In 2020.

[04:23] Teara Harris: Yes ma'am. Interesting because. Yes ma'am. Cause we was in a pandemic and, you know, nobody didn't know where the resources were or how you do this as I'm a resource program nerd. And so I was getting calls from, from the mayor to the chief of police, state officials about, you know, what is the resources? And we went from there and I just created, I started out doing resource events and I was doing them in the pandemic even though we didn't supposed to gather, but I did them outside and make sure everybody was, you know, the proper feet apart. And we just, I had the school system there, I had the jobs, I had, you know, homeownership programs and people in Lagrange, Lagrange, Georgia community got to take part of that. And seeing, okay, we have a whole bunch of resources, whether it's state, federal or local. It was my job to bring all those resources together in one area. And so basically the vendors set up a table, no cost to them and no cost to the participant. And we fed them lunch. We had the mayor, the Mayor Lagrange just speak and let people know what was available to them as on a local, we had a state representative and they explained on the state and then we had better. And so they just broke down everything. So everybody knew where the resources were, how to tap in at the contact person.

[06:09] Nan McKay: That is so important because there are so many resources out there, but without a guide to help them, it's really hard to find them. How does communities of tomorrow identify and select the regions where they plan to develop affordable housing?

[06:26] Teara Harris: Well, for me is I'm a southern girl and so, you know, everybody dreams of moving to the big cities, but we have like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, these are untapped market. Even Georgia's are untapped markets that people want to have a stable stability of home, either home ownership or just a home. And most people just want a safe, clean place to live. And sometimes the rural areas get left out. And so my main focus is going to different states that's very underserved to give them the resources on a state, federal and a local basis. It also create home ownership or just building up a community. The community is what America really were found out. I look at back in the day, how everybody used to help each other and everybody was there for each other. The reason why is because they had a sense of community, consist of togetherness. And so now I want to help to create that again. And I just enjoy getting no people with the USDA as me being a USDA packager, I can talk to people that never thought they could do being a home or have home ownership and get excited because it's a great program. I mean, know the 502 direct loan program, they'll pay a percentage of your mortgage, and then you can get it up to 38 years at 4.125%. And so depending on the area, because some areas, you know, it depends on the income, it depends on the dependence in your household and depending on the county that you stay in. But still, that's a good program. And it's all in, in all 50 states in the rural area. So even in California, they got the program. So this is a great program to put, to give back a sense of community and just, you know, put people in very low to low income that never thought in a million years that they can get a home. I know that one young lady got. I helped to get pre approved for 310, $310,000. She was, like, blown away. Like, oh, my God, that's a. That's a lot of house. What am I. And. But, you know, I tell people, just because you get a one amount, do not, you know, kind of be below that, because you got to think. And then we do continue educational home ownership where, you know, okay, you got to think about, if you get two stores, you won't have two units, right? If you get, you know, so you got to factor in that light bill cost, utility. It costs. If you get acres of land. If you get two acres, then you got to pay that lawn, that landscaping company, or you gonna have to invest in a lawnmower. So it is those types of things. Because now my job is to make sure you wrap your head around home ownership and how it, you know, and how with the steps of home ownership and the different things that you need. And that's important.

[10:04] Nan McKay: That's a really good idea, because people who have not been homeowners don't sometimes realize all the additional costs that they're getting into. They just think of that mortgage payment. But there's a lot more of communities of tomorrow is really quite distinctive. It caters to families who earn between 60 and 120% of the median household income. Can you elaborate on the challenges and maybe the rewards of working with this.

[10:33] Teara Harris: Niche, I think for me is I come from part b and I didn't know that I was in poverty till I moved to Atlanta. I was like, oh my God, I was in poverty. But for me it's challenging and rewarding at the same time is having people to understand they resources and helping them being self sufficient. Because if you're not self sufficient, how I teach people, if something, if I was to move to another country tomorrow, you will still know the tools and resources. I don't want you to be dependent on me and I want you to do your own thing. So what I do, I give people the resources and the contact person. A lot of people don't like to give. I'm giving out the contact person in case something happens. So for me it just the mindset. And once you, when people feel like, you know, they are our leader of their own life, then that's when they really take hold and take off and do the things that they want to want to do. I'm like a one stop shop because I know about the programs. Like if you wanted to go to school, I'd be like, okay, you know, if you want to go to school, the technical college in, you know, in Lagrange will help you with that. But then I also research other technical college in the area or in Georgia, Mississippi and different places they could because they have government funding for those, for the, for high demand trades. And so I encourage like what do you want to do? What do you see for your life? I think in this today's world, we need to help empower people to be more self sufficient. And it's just like when you self sufficient you can do so much more. But if you are always trying to help, well, not so much help, but do it for them. We're going to be in the same situation, the same ongoing cycle and they just gonna be doing enough to just survive, not thrive. So my, my goal and my, my focus is helping that person be self sufficient. How can we do that? Okay, change mindsets. Okay, how do you do that? And not just reaching it, them just coming alongside them saying, you know, and I got this from circles of Lagrange, Georgia. It's a group. And I went through, I went through the group or whatever. And one thing I learned from that is you are the leader of your own life. I'm here and they call allies. I'm here to root you on, to help you with the resources, but you are the leader. So whatever you want to do, that's your decision. Whether it's bad good or indifferent is your decision, and it's your responsibility, and you are held accountable whether it's good or bad. And that course helped me to do the work that I do now. So, you know, it's about holding people accountable, helping them be self sufficient, and help them. They mindset to change and not always look at the negative part of life, but turn it into a positive, because I have had negative things to happen in my life. But when I look back on it, it was just like a test or a lesson that I needed to learn then so I can apply it now. I have a saying in my office, and one is, like, the nutrients to be successful, basically. And one of the items that you're going to feel 100% of the time, and that's okay, but are you going to stay there and glow on, or are you going to do it better next time? Because you. I have been doing this in all, helping out the community for ten years. In 2020, I stepped out on faith to get a five oh c one, c three. And I was scared out my mind. I have had so many roadblocks or discouragement or, I can't do this. And this after I'm being teared. However, I kept the course. I kept focused. And every time I was about ready to give up it, something showed me that I can do this. Currently, I am proud to announce that I have been working on a project with my business partner, Philip Abbott. He owns a lot of real estate in LaGrange, Georgia. Well, he brought me in to help him out, be his partner in this endeavor. So actually, I'm redeveloping the neighborhood I grew up in, and we have finished the first phase. And people, I could be sitting here in the conference room doing work, and people be peeping through the door, and I just said, I invite them in, like, come and see what we have done. This is a landmark. This used to be this. We still call it the Newman building. And when we did the grand opening back in August, it was so rewarding to see that the Newman family actually came to the river camp from across the country, and they were in tears on how it looks now. And so we completed the first phase, and it took us one year, and people like, oh, my God, y'all done with the first phase in one year where we have an awesome team, we have our awesome, we have an awesome relationship wherein, you know, Philip basically concentrates on the prescription, and I'm, like, the strategic thinker and, like, trying to figure out, you know, the different things and kind of keep everything going and just, you know, I'm like a jack at all trade. So it's just, no, I have had some big tasks, but I'm enjoying this. I love. We did a rural affordable housing summit last Thursday, and we did a tour here, and it was like, oh, my God. And we had people from across the country. I was shocked. I had somebody from Texas. I was like, you came from Texas to come to this? And she was like, yeah. And I was like, oh. And it just helped out of love and support from the community, from the local officials. So I'm from the state. I'm just excited about everything that is to come. The next phase we are working on, we are taking. And this is very innovative, but we are. It's called the yard, and we going to take some shipping containers and turn it into a food court. And so, yes, so we do have the drawings for that. Actually, my office is just like a. It's my office, but it's also a showroom. So we have the concept drawings throughout so people could come in and kind of, you know, look at the walls and see where all we have and all that good stuff. So we are excited. We have did so much in a year's time, a little bit over a year, and so we hope to have the Shiva container up and running next year. And I'm just happy about it. I'm thrilled.

[18:30] Nan McKay: As someone who's carved a path in both the nonprofit and the government sectors, what advice would you give to individuals who are really looking to make a tangible impact in their communities through similar kinds of things that you do?

[18:48] Teara Harris: Well, when we first started, don't give up the whole, I'm gonna say this, you gonna fail 100% of the time. I'm being honest, but. And you, we help. We was told that this was a pipe dream or, you know, people ain't gonna see the vision, especially where you, you. When I come to the real vista, I see what it is. I could see, you know, but everybody can't see what you see because it might not be David, don't ever give up on your dreams. If you know that this is your God given talent, do it. Yes. When I have no. Last year, I didn't even know about affordable housing. I thought, I'm being honest with you. I thought it was a low income, but then I got with a group of women, and that's how I met you. I got with a group of women. They got one national. I think they're going about to be in 32 states. And they took. I walked into the Atlanta chapter. And I walked into the luncheon and I was like, I'm home. And it was just like women just like me that are doing a lot to help their community and they, and they can spearhead. And I, and I thank God for the warring women. I thank God for the Atlanta chapter. They have been phenomenal to me because I didn't know what I was doing. And if you don't know, that's okay. Just don't go in with an open mind. And don't go in thinking one way. Be very open. And I thank God for the Warren women. I thank God for the atlas, um, chapter. I thank God for the national, actually, north cut. I mean, because, you know, you don't never know who is going to give you that look because it's a puzzle. So everybody got a piece of a puzzle that you have to put together. And I love doing networking events. I'm always in Atlanta, even though it's Lagrange is like an hour and some hour and eight minutes from Atlanta. I'm there like, do you want to go to lunch? Oh my God. You won't come all the way up here for lunch. Yes, because sit here talking. If I go to lunch and we sitting there talking and you bring up something that I haven't thought about it, then I could take, I could run this back and try to implement it into the development project or into the rural area. I'm open and I want to. Because when you get into the rural area, it kind of gets a little bit, a little difficult because of, you know, everybody. Some people think one way, but, and then the people don't know the resources. So if you can capitalize on understanding the resources, then that can, how you can better serve your community. So, yes, networking, that's your friend. Getting on committees, serving, you know, I guess I went to Maureen Freehill and that's that nano chapter programmer. And I was like, can we do a rural affordable housing summit? And she was like, yeah. And I was like, for real? And we started meeting at the first of the year and we planned every two weeks. We planned, we set aside time and we had over 100 people there. I couldn't have not did that event without one. I could not have been sitting here talking to you today without, you know, the connection of one, you know, communities. They seen my vision when I, well, I seen my vision, but I couldn't really articulate it. And they helped me to articulate my goals, dreams and aspirations. I thank God for Philip Abbott for bringing me on this crazy wilderness I mean, I'm just thankful, you know, that people, because people watch you, right? They watch you. And a lot of, you know me, I'm type of person where I'm very outspoken. And I tell you what, you know, I'm just me. Like, here I am. But people watch. Most people say about me is passion. And I was like, oh, it's just my personality. But people watch you, and they, and they sit back and see what you gonna do. So don't think that you're doing it in vain. People do watch. They people watch. I say, man, so just keep doing what you're doing and enjoy. Yes, it's hard, and yes, it's that. But at the end of the day, it's so much rewarding. And then when you doing what you love to do, it's not work. It's something that you get up in the morning and you enjoy doing. It don't feel like work to you. So, I mean, that's my advice.

[23:51] Nan McKay: I'd say just keep doing what you're doing. So thank you so much, tiara, for being with us today. And we really appreciate everything you're doing to help other families get that homeownership going that they really would love to have and find the resources that they need to survive and to thrive, as you said.

[24:13] Nan McKay: So, thank you so much for being with us.

[24:16] Teara Harris: Yeah, thank you.

[24:18] Nan McKay: Thanks for being with us. Have you seen our new podcast and YouTube website, trailblazersimpact.com? Join us there, and please leave a review on iTunes. Check out our new shorts on our YouTube channel, trailblazers impact interviews. Until next time, check out my newsletter on LinkedIn. Also, I host a new lead and succeed community to quickly accelerate your leadership skills and explore our regular website, Nanmack Connects.com, with new resources.