Houston Republic

A Houston real estate developer is joining with community members and local organizations to develop several blocks in Houston’s Fifth Ward, including a former grocery store, to transform the spaces into affordable housing for the community, including rental homes for elderly couples and families who are longtime residents of the area, according to a June 11 report by ABC13.

Christopher Senegal, the real estate developer, has teamed with the Cocoa Collective Xchange, which focuses on “conscious commerce,” bringing black-owned vendors in health and beauty, fashion, authors and artists together. The marketplace even has its own disc jockey to entertain as customers shop. The organization has been working to bring black-owned businesses to the area through a campaign called “Buying the Block.”

Their actions are drawing attention. Elizabeth Akinkugbe wasn’t looking for a home, she told ABC13, but when she heard about the new housing development in the Fifth Ward, she had to check it out.

"I feel like I'm at home. It's not just the house itself, it feels like home to me," Akinkugbe said. "I think this development is huge, and I think it's a great impact for the community to also be a mentor, somewhat, to kids that are growing up in areas like this. With everything going on, it's important for kids to know that anything is possible, and we're doing things to make it a better community."

The campaign is bringing community members together and making the story of gentrification in the area a little different.

Arleita Myers, the founder of the Cocoa Collective Xchange, sees power in what’s happening.

"It's the only way for us to have a stake in what's going on," Myers said. "It's actually being homeowners and stakeholders, and by bringing this money back in that's what's going to keep us alive, keep us flourishing."