At Model Cities, Black women’s leadership has been a constant since our founding in 1967. Starting with Mary Stokes leading the charge to provide volunteer medical and dental service to residents through the Model Cities Demonstration Act. This grew into a fuller range of health services led by Mrs. Timothy Vann, who became project director in 1971.
In 1984, Dr. Beverley Hawkins became executive director, leading Model Cities for 34 years before passing the torch to current CEO Kizzy Downie. During her tenure, Dr. Hawkins pioneered the use of strategic planning processes that are now seen as commonplace across our sector. Dr. Hawkins and her staff noticed that increasing positive public health outcomes had to involve more than just treating symptoms; they needed to address systems—like housing. So they got busy planning and changing programming to address the needs of the people they serve.
Model Cities now offers a range of programs that help individuals and families during all stages of addressing housing needs. Programs like Safe Space Shelter, Homestretch homebuyer’s education classes, and Sankofa, which provides housing for young adult parents, provide options for people on their journeys. Our BROWNstone building features both residential housing and commercial space for businesses, demonstrating what communities can look like when we are resourced and working together!
For 5 1/2 decades, Model Cities has shown what women’s leadership, and specifically Black women’s leadership, can do to change the landscape of people-serving work. Thank you to Mrs. Mary Stokes, Mrs. Timothy O. Vann, and most certainly Dr. Beverley Hawkins!
