Johnice Woods: The Rich Heritage Housing Developer
One undeniable thing about CitySquare was the familial vibe and actual family connection that runs deep throughout the Central Dallas Ministries/CitySquare history. Though JR’s reputation preceded her, I actually met her daughter, Johnice, first. When I joined the team, she was one of the first people to welcome me with the understood Black woman, I got you if you need anything look, she was true to her word and remains dear to me. Johnice was a key leader in our Central Dallas Community Development Corporation team (which we called CDCDC) ; they were a separate but connected entity that developed all of our housing projects in the organization. Johnice was and is warm, has a deep love for people and vast knowledge of CitySquare, community development and housing. Whether it was preparing a proposal for city council or county commissioners, caring for a resident or pushing through to get things done in a building before we had HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), she was there. There is still so much work to do around affordable housing in Dallas and also there would not have been historic projects like CityWalk at Akard and The Cottages at Hickory Crossing, that changed the way Dallas saw affordable or permanent supportive housing without Johnice.
Please find below a summary of our conversation.
Where are you from and how does that impact the work you do?
I was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. Lubbock really helped me understand what having a community did because I was actually raised in a community where everybody took care of their neighbors. Like, we really knew our teachers because we lived in the community with them. It was beautiful, because if somebody was sick, my grandmother made some stew or something else, and we took it to them. This formed my concept of caring for each other and ensuring we all have what we need.
When did you work at CitySquare, and what was your role?
I was volunteering at Central Dallas Church, where we were members, and Larry told me he needed help starting an adult education program in Roseland Homes and at our health clinic on Peak St. I was working for Aetna, and the work at Central Dallas Church was a welcome change from corporate. Two to three years after that, the funding ended for that program, and I thought I was going to go find another job. Larry said there are two attorneys, John Greenan and Ken Koonce, who wanted to start a public interest law firm within Central Dallas Ministries, and asked if I wanted to join them. I said of course. I became a paralegal, learned all I could and worked at our law firm for five years. During that time, Larry decided we really needed to focus on housing now that we had hunger, health, and law and other community programs. He and John Greenan started meeting with Dallas Housing Authority and other housing leaders. John asked me if I wanted to join him in the housing work and I worked with the CDC as the Director of Projects through 2012. We started with smaller apartment buildings that housed youth in our TRAC program. We all learned as we worked alongside the community, and that led us to take on larger projects like CityWalk at Akard, The Cottages, LoneStar Gas Lofts, and more.
Why did you work at CitySquare?
I was working in the small-business market for Aetna, and I just knew there was more for me to do professionally. Central Dallas Ministries was an excellent opportunity to do something I was already doing as a volunteer. I loved working with my mom and with the community. I learned as much as I contributed, if not more. My first office was in the clinic, and I got to work alongside these amazing doctors, and every day was different. I loved that Larry became like family to us and that he was never afraid to take on new challenges, encouraging me to do the same.
What made CitySquare special to you?
My mom taught me to leave things better than you found them. I loved that we all felt that way at CItySquare. The neighbors and community members were as invested in me as I was in them. That exchange and relationship we had with them was and is special. I still have relationships with staff and community members who have become family. I also better understood how to help address systemic barriers. I loved that we could provide supportive services to neighbors taking a GED class or living in one of our properties. Providing comprehensive services was so important. I took all of those lessons from Central Dallas Ministries/CitySquare as I worked with my mom in the YES program for youth, and we founded Tapestry, a non-profit dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
What is the legacy of your contributions to CitySquare?
One of my main contributions over the years was activating gifts in people that they didn’t know they had or giving them space to lean into their gifts. I also walked in faith and worked with so many unknowns in all of my roles. Of course, part of my legacy is our housing projects, like CityWalk, and the community we built with neighbors, volunteers, partners, and board members over the years.
What are you doing now?
I live in Seattle now and work as a Housing Developer with Homestead Community Land Trust. I love that I get to continue much of the work I did at Central Dallas Ministries and CitySquare in Dallas, partnering with community members and local churches throughout Seattle as we bring new affordable housing solutions to the area.
