Non Profit Minute – James Thompson and Peggy Baxter, The Sterling Land Trust
December 12, 2019
The Who’s on the Move, BizSC, Non Profit Minute is a quick, two-minute interview in support of the amazing impact that local non profits have on our communities.
We would like to thank our sponsors of this video series:
James Thompson, President and Peggy Baxter, Board Member, The Sterling Land Trust
Sterling is a neighborhood of Greenville, South Carolina that has deeply contributed to the city’s history and culture. At the heart of Sterling neighborhood was Sterling High School, which was unfortunately destroyed in a fire in 1967. Historically, Sterling was the social and economic heart of African-American community.
Sterling has faced its challenges over the past several decades. Today, because of its proximity to booming downtown Greenville, it has attracted the attention of developers which subsequently has put pressure on local residents as the neighborhood goes through a process of gentrification. One of the main issues is affordable housing.
The Sterling Land Trust is a nonprofit organization formed in 2010 by concerned residents and Sterling High School alumni who wanted to restore the glory of their community. The organization is a neighborhood community land trust that primarily serves the Greenville, South Carolina Special Emphasis neighborhood of Sterling. A community land trust (CLT) is an organization that operates by purchasing land and ensuring that it is used according to the wishes of community members.
The main focus is on neighborhood sustainability, grassroots organizing and the development of commercial and residential real estate. Since its formation, they have begun the process of revitalizing the neighborhood by beginning small-scale urban farming and acquiring properties to redevelop. Sterling is poised to become a leading Greenville neighborhood once again.
Full audio version of the interview here.
