History

Bringing Hope and Prosperity Back to and Urban Neighborhood

Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation (TSHDC) is on a mission to improve the quality of life for residents of Kansas City’s most challenged urban neighborhoods: safer, cleaner streets; attractive and affordable homes; thriving businesses; inviting parks and playgrounds; neighbors who know each other.
TSHDC staff and volunteers, in partnership with multiple public and private stakeholders, work daily to enrich the lives and enhance the landscape of a community where hope for neighborhood stability and prosperity was bleak. Established in 1984, TSHDC has been a catalyst for remarkable and measurable community progress.
In recent years, TSHDC has assumed a more strategic role by facilitating the development of beneficial relationships that accelerate housing and economic development.
The rebirth of this historic neighborhood is becoming an extraordinary example of community development in action. TSHDC has recently implemented several services that impact local families: Prison to Workforce Pipeline, Mentor KC, Parent Engagement Workshops, and Santa’s Wonderland.

Just East of Downtown Kansas City, Missouri…

The area served by Twelfth Street Development Corporation (TSHDC) is located just east of downtown, Kansas City, Missouri.
More than 6,000 residents make their homes within these boundaries. Of these residents, approximately 75% are African American, 18% are of European decent, 5% are Hispanic, and 2% are Asian.
TSHDC’s target area possesses the highest concentration of public housing in the metropolitan area. This includes five (5) housing developments operated by the Kansas City, Missouri Housing Authority, as well as three (3) privately funded housing developments. The target area also has the majority of homeless shelters and homeless social service agencies, which attract a significant population of homeless individuals.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD​

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD​

Just East of Downtown Kansas City, Missouri…

The area served by Twelfth Street Development Corporation (TSHDC) is located just east of downtown, Kansas City, Missouri.
More than 6,000 residents make their homes within these boundaries. Of these residents, approximately 75% are African American, 18% are of European decent, 5% are Hispanic, and 2% are Asian.
TSHDC’s target area possesses the highest concentration of public housing in the metropolitan area. This includes five (5) housing developments operated by the Kansas City, Missouri Housing Authority, as well as three (3) privately funded housing developments. The target area also has the majority of homeless shelters and homeless social service agencies, which attract a significant population of homeless individuals.

Organization and Background History

Bringing Hope and Prosperity Back to and Urban Neighborhood
In response to the impeding challenges in the urban community, a small group of citizens under the leadership of entrepreneur Ollie Gates formed the Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation (TSHDC) in 1984. Over the last eight years, TSHDC has been implementing a revitalization plan centered on the 12th Street Corridor.
The following projects are completed and/or under construction:
The demolition of deteriorating structures
36% reduction in Crimes against persons
14% reduction in Crimes against property
Arzelia Gardens, a 50 unit affordable elderly housing facility
St. Marks Church Child Development Center
Gates Center expansion (North West Corner)Commercial development
6 New Merchants to Gates Center
36 units of single-family housing
The creation of a partnership of a 12th Street Merchants Association Jazz Hill Homes: 199 units of affordable multi-family housing 12th Street & Vine: Kansas City’s World Address Park 28 units of Affordable Multi-family Housing Champion Sports Complex (Multi-Purpose Youth Athletic Field) Development of Paseo West Neighborhood The Painted Ladies Housing Complex

MEET OUR TEAM

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Full Name

Postition

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Dwayne Williams
CEO
Mr. Williams has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations with strong interpersonal, organization, and communication skills. It is these skills that have earned him a reputation as a skilled communicator with a demonstrated ability to excel in various environments. He currently serves as the President/CEO of the Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation, an organization that has built and rehabbed a number of homes in the Urban Core of Kansas City Missouri.
Additionally, Mr. Williams started the Prison-to-Workforce Pipeline, a re-entry program for individuals who have been recently released from the prison system. The program is available to men and women to aid in successful transitions back into society. In 2013, Twelfth Street Heritage’s re-entry program was recognized in the Seventh Day Adventist Outlook magazine. The program was also recognized and rewarded on March 19th, 2015 as a Ford Freedom Unsung Hero Honoree. To date, TSHDC’s re-entry program has hired approximately 150 men and women.
In 2010, Mr. Williams also added a Youth Mentoring program to the expanding role of Twelfth Street Heritage. To date, this program has mentored thousands of youth in the urban core – nearly 5000 youth in 2018.
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Alexis Williams
Director of Operations

Alexis Williams is the Director of Operations. For five years, Alexis Williams has directly overseen our re-entry program, youth mentoring program, community outreach, and development, usually all at once.

Since 2018 Alexis has overseen the training and development of employees directly while making effective staffing decisions. While managing re-entry, Alexis has planned weekly meetings for employees while reaching out to community members to give all employees the necessary resources.

Alexis has advised first-year high school students in our youth mentoring program by teaching life skills and clear communication strategies, building healthy and trusting relationships, and exposing youth to new opportunities and experiences.

In addition, Alexis has helped plan and execute Twelfth Street Heritage’s two fundraisers that raised annually $80,000

Alexis Williams is the Director of Operations. For five years, Alexis Williams has directly overseen our re-entry program, youth mentoring program, community outreach, and development, usually all at once.
Since 2018 Alexis has overseen the training and development of employees directly while making effective staffing decisions. While managing re-entry, Alexis has planned weekly meetings for employees while reaching out to community members to give all employees the necessary resources.
Alexis has advised first-year high school students in our youth mentoring program by teaching life skills and clear communication strategies, building healthy and trusting relationships, and exposing youth to new opportunities and experiences.
In addition, Alexis has helped plan and execute Twelfth Street Heritage’s two fundraisers that raised annually $80,000
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Alexis Williams
Director of Operations
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Brandy Patterson
Realtor & Property Manager
I’ve been working in the community for ten years as a voice of the youth educating them on politics and real estate. I’ve held positions at hot 103 Jamz and Work Force development as a communications specialist for the youth. Building generational wealth within our community and helping single mothers break barriers is my passion.
My goal is to continue to educate turning renters into homeowners building generational wealth one property at a time.