Written by Craig Logan, Executive Fellow of Housing

My Background

After graduating from Charleston Southern University in 2011, I worked in the Metanoia Youth Leadership Academy serving as the high school coordinator for seven years. I worked with middle and high school students teaching entrepreneurship and leadership skills. I spent 5 years working for the Children’s Defense Fund, founded by Marian Wright Edelman, as an Ella Baker Trainer. I helped to facilitate trainings and develop leaders to become change agents in their communities across the US. As a trainer I worked to dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline by implementing Freedom Schools, a literacy-based free summer camp, throughout communities across the nation. 

I have served on the board of the Chicora Neighborhood Association for 4 years as the Vice President. This opportunity created a way to engage at a grassroots level in this area. The CAN partners with communities and schools to provide information, opportunities to engage and access to local leaders for the community. Additionally, I serve as the project committee chair for the Community First Land Trust. The land trust is committed to permanent stewardship of land and the permanent affordability of housing and other buildings located upon its land. CFLT serves the Accabee, Chicora/Cherokee, Five Mile, Howard Heights, Liberty Hill, Union Heights and Windsor communities in North Charleston, SC.

Why are you passionate about Housing Attainability?

My passion grew from my lived experience. In the fifth grade, my family moved into a four bedroom, two bathroom home. Before, I grew up in a two-bedroom home housing with my parents and my 3 siblings. You can only imagine how exciting it was to transition from being renters to homeowners. We were ecstatic as we packed up and moved to the home I grew up in. This is a story that families all over the nation should be able to tell, yet the current climate of housing does not allow that. Home ownership provides so many benefits to families like tax benefits, stability and an opportunity to creating generational wealth. There should be opportunities for all people to receive these benefits. Working to help create sustainable solutions drives my passion for attainable housing. 

What sparked your interest?

I spent 8 years working with Metanoia CDC, a local nonprofit that works to create affordable housing in the Chicora Cherokee neighborhood in North Charleston, SC. I learned the stories of the community that I worked for and served. In doing so I developed a love for the members of this community. Gentrification is a huge threat to this area that could potentially leave hundreds of families displaced and forced out. Without access to affordable rental units and homes for purchase- that would increase the homeownership in this area- we risk losing an essential part of this community. 

Let me know if you’d like to be a part of our Housing work!