The Cycle
Troy Nash, Kansas City (1970s)
"I know that if your home life is unstable, everything in your life is going to be unstable."— Dr. Troy Nash, Brown University Interview, 2024
Dr. Troy Nash was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Raised by his mother Charlotte — a single mother with six children. Grew up in roach and rat-infested Section 8 housing. Product of the Kansas City Missouri Public School District. Labeled "at-risk." Told he was "not college material."
The family bounced from public housing project to public housing project — Holy Temple Homes, Friendship Village Apartments.
His zip code was supposed to be his destiny.
The Way Out
The United States Air Force changed everything.
Airman Troy Nash, U.S. Air Force (1990)
Stationed at Dover Air Force Base, at 20 years old Troy was selected dorm chief of honor flight 048 — responsible for the direct supervision of 50 airmen. He served during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Military Honors
"My educational pursuits reflect my desire to study, learn, and address issues affecting underserved communities in the United States and around the world."
Brothers Turn Dream Into Determination
Kansas City Star, 1995
"At age 25, Troy converted his mom's small house into a classroom, bought used textbooks from the local thrift store, tutored his family, and helped his three older brothers enroll in college for the first time."— Kansas City Star, 1995
Troy's mother Charlotte was not left out. With his help, at 55 years old, she studied for and received her GED. When she passed away on March 15, 2003, she was a junior in college and posthumously awarded a Bachelor's degree by the University of Missouri—Kansas City.
Troy accepted the degree on behalf of his mom.
The Return
Here is where most stories end. Man escapes poverty. Man gets educated. Man ignores his roots.
Troy Nash went back.
Returned to Kansas City
Began community organizing in the same neighborhoods where he grew up.
Read KC Star Profile →Council Chairman
Chair of Planning, Zoning & Economic Development. Oversaw $10+ billion in development.
Read Article →MHDC Vice Chairman
Missouri Housing Development Commission — oversaw statewide affordable housing policy.
Read Appointment →Citizen-Driven Development
Led community-driven economic development planning — empowering residents to chart their own destiny.
Read Coverage →Historic Achievement
First African-American principal at a top-tier Missouri CRE firm — breaking a 193-year barrier.
Read Full Story →CBCF Board
Named to Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors in Washington, D.C.
Read Announcement →Defying the Odds
Received UMKC Alumni Association's "Defying the Odds" Award for overcoming adversity.
Read Feature →Brown University
Featured in School of Public Health for affordable housing advocacy.
Read Interview →Institutions Noticed
His credentials aren't self-reported. They're verified by some of the most respected institutions in America.
| Institution | Recognition | Year | Verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University School of Public Health | Featured Student Spotlight | 2024 | Read → |
| University of Southern California | Alumni Feature - Affordable Housing | 2022 | Read → |
| SAVOY Magazine | Most Influential Black Executives | 2022 | View → |
| SAVOY Magazine | "The Nash Group: A Higher Calling" | 2022 | Read → |
| Ingram's Magazine | 50 Missourians You Should Know | 2015 | Read → |
| Midwest Real Estate News | Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame | 2015 | Read → |
| UMKC School of Law | Defying the Odds Alumni Award | 2017 | Read → |
| Mass Transit Magazine | KCATA Housing Developments Approved | 2023 | Read → |
Education as a Tool
Product of Kansas City Missouri Public Schools
He didn't leave. He leveled up.
9 Advanced Degrees
Education is not a privilege. It's a tool for change.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Saint Louis University
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Brown University
M.S. Data Analytics & Policy
Johns Hopkins University (in progress)
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
University of Missouri - Kansas City Bloch School
Master of Urban Planning (M.U.P.)
M.A. Political Science
University of Missouri - Kansas City
M.A. Economics
University of Missouri - Kansas City
B.S. Economics
Wesley College
Fighting for the Community
"When no one else would, he did."
39th & Prospect: Six Days on the Front Lines
In the summer of 2000, Councilman Troy Nash camped out for six days on one of the most crime-ridden corners in America — Kansas City's 39th and Prospect.
His goal: Focus attention on the economic and public health crisis created by decades of poor urban planning, redlining, and discrimination.
Created citizen-driven economic development corridor plan
Attracted private investment to the area
Brought new ALDI grocery store to a food desert
Structured public/private partnerships for the community
Living in the Crisis
Fighting for underserved and forgotten residents against corrupt management, Troy personally lived for over a month in one of the city's most crime-ridden housing complexes — well-known for its open-air drug sales and associated violence.
Property was cleaned up
Streets were paved
Weeds were cut
Property placed under new management
📰 Read the Coverage
Kansas City Star: "Group Hopes Presence Spurs Change in Complex" →Fire Station Advocacy
After learning about the horrible living conditions of Kansas City's firefighters, Troy spent the night in six fire stations throughout the city — one in each council district.
Result: The public outrage and media exposure led to the successful passage of a $276 million sales tax dedicated exclusively to the renovation, modernization, and improvement of Kansas City's public safety facilities.
📰 Read the Coverage
Kansas City Star: "Decrepit Fire Stations Draw Council's Attention" →Protecting Neighborhoods
Troy fought to stop illegal dumping that was destroying East Side neighborhoods — holding polluters accountable and demanding city action to protect residents' health and property values.
Read Full Story — The Kansas City Star
He also partnered with labor unions to renovate and improve community centers throughout the city — bringing resources and investment back to underserved neighborhoods.
Service & Mentorship
"He was mentored. Now he mentors."
Mentored By: Rosemary Lowe
Civil rights icon, first African-American committeewoman in Kansas City, co-founder of Freedom Inc. Troy called her the "Rosa Parks of Kansas City."
Read Her Legacy →Mentored By: Hugh J. Zimmer
Legendary Kansas City real estate developer. "Mr. Zimmer is one of the most respected real estate professionals in the Midwest."
Read His Legacy →Current Role
Director, Lewis White Real Estate Center
Henry W. Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri - Kansas City
Executive in Residence & Assistant Teaching Professor
Read Ingram's Announcement →Board Service (Past and Current)
Arvest Bank — $20B financial institution
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center — KC's first FQHC
University Health — KC public health system
KCMO TIF Commission
Starlight Theatre — Kansas City
University of Missouri - Kansas City Trustees
University of Kansas Advancement Board
Missouri Housing Development Commission
Giving Back: The Salvation Army
"My older brother fell in with the wrong crowd. He fell victim to drug addiction and other evils that plague young Black men in the urban core. Ultimately, he found love and support at The Salvation Army which allowed him to overcome his demons. I will be forever grateful to the officers and staff of The Salvation Army for saving his life."— Dr. Troy Nash
For over 20 years, Dr. Nash has volunteered at The Salvation Army's Linwood Center in midtown Kansas City, serving dinner every Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
In 2019, Dr. Nash was honored to serve as Christmas Campaign Chair — only the second African American to chair the event in The Salvation Army's long history with Kansas City.
The Proof: Arielle
Arielle Nash, President & Co-Founder
"I struggled so she didn't have to."
When Arielle was just fifteen weeks old, Troy brought her to Kansas City City Hall. While other fathers left their infants at home, he carried her into council chambers, committee meetings, and community forums. She grew up watching democracy in action, learning that public service wasn't just a career—it was a calling.
Pembroke Hill High School — Kansas City's most prestigious private school
Study abroad — Japan
Capitol Hill — Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing (Intern for Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II)
Artemis Real Estate Partners — private equity intern
Washington University in St. Louis (in progress) — B.S.Integrated Studies
Fluent in Chinese and Spanish
Ingram's "20 in Their Twenties" — 2022 Read Article →
The CALL Newspaper — "Young Entrepreneur Learns Real Estate World Best By Watching Father" 2023 Visit The CALL →
KC Mayor & City Council Recognition — 2022 Watch Video →
Kansas City Business Journal — "20 to Know in Commercial Real Estate" 2022 Read →
"I once took my daughter to see where I grew up and she was like, 'is this for real?' Because she did not grow up in those same circumstances."— Dr. Troy Nash, Brown University Interview
She had every door open. She chose to come home.
Together
Dr. Troy Nash, CEO & Co-Founder
Arielle Nash, President & Co-Founder
Dr. Troy Nash & Arielle Nash — Father & Daughter, CEO & President
Asher is the third generation.
He will never know Section 8 housing.
He will never be told he is "not college material."
He will never wonder if his zip code is his destiny.
"Asher is not our mascot. He is our metric."
Three generations. One system. Now available to everyone.
The Foundation
For 30 years, Dr. Nash has been doing this work informally — recruiting brothers, enrolling his mother Charlotte, serving his community, mentoring his daughter.
The Nash Group Community Foundation makes it formal. And scalable.
FROM STRUGGLE TO SUCCESS ACADEMY
21 Courses | 6 Domains | 211+ Hours | Launching February 2026
We are not inventing something new.
We are documenting something proven.
The Ask
You are not being asked to fund a theory.
You are being asked to scale a system with 30 years of documented results.