Building Connection is a podcast from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis that seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home. Building Connection will explore that.
In this episode:
Memphis Mayor Paul Young sits down with Dwayne for the inaugural episode of Building Connection to discuss how housing is intertwined with a community’s broader success. In their conversation, Mayor Young shares why he chose to come back to and stay in Memphis, as well as the path that led him to a career in housing, community development, and public service. They discuss blight's affect on the city and what the "Era of Yes” for Memphis could mean in terms of housing. Finally, they close their conversation by "bringing it back to home," discussing what home means and what stable, affordable housing can help people and communities achieve.
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Dwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years. Since joining Memphis Habitat in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; and from building 15 homes per year to building 30+ new homes and serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks fifth in total families served among more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named CEO of the Year by Memphis Magazine.
Paul Young was sworn in as mayor of Memphis on Jan. 1, 2024, with a commitment to creating a stronger, safer, and thriving community for all Memphians. He is a Memphian, father of two, husband to Dr. Jamila Smith-Young, and son of Pastor Dianne Young and the late Bishop William Young.
Young earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, followed by a Master of Science in urban and regional planning and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Young has spent the last decade improving the quality of life in Memphis by advancing housing security and fostering healthy neighborhoods where families can thrive. As the President of the Downtown Memphis Commission and the former Director of Housing and Community Development for the City, Young applied a holistic approach to unifying the city through public and private partnerships and targeted investments in our future.
He believes moving the city forward requires strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and the potential of our greatest asset – our people.
Podcast Credits:
- Guest: The Honorable Paul Young, Mayor of the City of Memphis
- Host: Dwayne Spencer, MPA, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
- Executive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
- Production Partner: Forever Ready Productions
