How to Read Our Story
The Nash Group Community Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2025, with Year One in 2027. The history below is the founder’s track record. It is distinct from the foundation’s own commitments.
Founder’s Track Record
More than 35 years of Dr. Troy Nash’s career outcomes in public service, affordable housing, and community development. These accomplishments belong to the founder and predate the foundation.
TNGCF Year One
TNGCF’s own results will be measured and reported beginning in Year One.
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 and in support of 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 →Chair, Planning, Zoning & Economic Development
Chair of Planning, Zoning & Economic Development, presiding over nearly $10 billion in development.
Read Article →Former MHDC Vice Chairman
The Missouri Housing Development Commission is the state's housing finance agency, financing the development and preservation of affordable housing.
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 to become a partner in a top 10 commercial real estate firm in the history of the State of Missouri, at Newmark Zimmer.
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.
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 → |
| Brown University School of Public Health | Public Health Impact Award | 2025 | Read → |
| University of Southern California | Alumnus Feature - Affordable Housing | 2022 | Read → |
| SAVOY Magazine | Most Influential Black Executives | 2020, 2022 | View → |
| SAVOY Magazine | "The Nash Group: A Higher Calling" | 2022 | |
| Ingram's Magazine | 50 Missourians You Should Know | 2015 | Read → |
| Midwest Real Estate News | Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame | 2015 | Read → |
| UMKC Alumni Association | Defying the Odds Alumni Award | 2017 | |
| 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.
8 Degrees + 1 in Progress
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
Master of Science (M.S.) in Nonprofit Leadership
University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice (Currently Pursuing)
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
Approached Aldi in 2004 about building a grocery store at 39th and Prospect; Aldi broke ground there in 2013.
Brought new ALDI grocery store to a food desert
Proposed a public-private partnership of city government officials and top business executives.
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
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: Voters then approved a 15-year, quarter-cent fire sales tax projected to raise $276 million to repair or replace aging fire stations, add new stations, hire 135 firefighters, and pay for equipment and maintenance.
📰 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
Assistant Teaching Professor
Read Ingram's Announcement →Board Service
Paramount Financial Group (Current)
Jazz District Redevelopment Corporation (Current)
Arvest Bank (Former)
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Former) , a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Kansas City since 1968
University Health (Current) , KC public health system
KCMO TIF Commission (Former)
Starlight Theatre (Former) , Kansas City
University of Missouri - Kansas City Trustees (Former)
University of Kansas Advancement Board (Former)
Missouri Housing Development Commission (Former Vice Chairman)
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.
🎬 Watch & Read
📺 Salvation Army Christmas Campaign Video → 📰 KSHB: "Red Kettle Campaign Kicks Off" (2019) → 📰 KC Star: "Serving Others Through The Salvation Army" →"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
The Co-Founder
Dr. Troy Nash, CEO & Co-Founder
The Foundation
For 35+ years, Dr. Nash has been doing this work informally, recruiting brothers, enrolling his mother Charlotte, serving his community.
The Nash Group Community Foundation makes it formal. And scalable. We teach, we mentor, we connect.
FROM STRUGGLE TO SUCCESS ACADEMY
29 Courses | 8 Domains | Launching 2027, Pending Funding
We are not inventing something new.
We are documenting lived experience.
The Ask
You are not being asked to fund a theory.
You are being asked to fund the launch of a program built on the founder's 35+ years of experience.