Alana C. Green, JD, MPA

I’ve spent more than two decades working in community development—on the ground with residents, across tables from city leaders, and inside systems that are often well-meaning but painfully disconnected from the people they’re meant to serve. During this time, one thing I’ve learned is that no matter how passionate or skilled we are, it’s easy […]

When the Harlem Children’s Zone began its work in New York City, its founders refused to rely on assumptions or stereotypes about the neighborhood’s challenges. Instead, they examined concrete data—tracking everything from school attendance patterns to local health trends. This evidence-based approach uncovered issues that weren’t always visible at a casual glance, such as the