Dr. Troy Nash

At 29 years old, Troy was elected to the Kansas City City Council. As an at-large councilman of Missouri's largest city, he represented over 450,000 citizens and helped oversee a budget exceeding $1.2 billion and nearly 4,560 employees.

As Chairman of Planning, Zoning & Economic Development (2003-2007), he presided over the largest economic development boom in the city's history—directly impacting over $10 billion in development .

He also served as Vice Chairman of the Budget and Audit Committee with jurisdiction over the city's nearly $1 billion budget.

Nominated by Governor Jay Nixon and confirmed by the Missouri Senate on a bipartisan basis, Dr. Nash served as Vice Chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

The commission administers HUD's most successful affordable housing programs including the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Missouri LIHTC, and Affordable Housing Assistance Tax Credit. This experience gave him unparalleled insight into Missouri's affordable housing ecosystem—knowledge he now applies as a developer.

At just 26 years old, Troy was nominated by Governor Mel Carnahan and confirmed by the Missouri Senate to the University of Missouri Board of Curators—becoming the first African American to hold the position in the university system's history.

As student curator , he served as the voice for over 55,000 college students throughout the state of Missouri.

Served as Special Assistant to Mayor Emanuel Cleaver (now a United States Congressman), serving as the Mayor's primary point of contact for economic development and community housing initiatives.

In this role, he addressed neighborhood, community, labor, business, and many other groups throughout the city on behalf of the mayor. Troy learned from Mayor Cleaver that one can be involved in politics while still promoting civility and decency.

Nominated by the Mayor and unanimously approved by the city council to the Tax Increment Financing Commission. As Chairman of the Governance, Finance, and Audit Committee, he helps encourage development of blighted, substandard, and economically underutilized areas.

Played a key role in major developments including the Loews Convention Headquarters Hotel incentives package.

Appointed by the Governor to the bipartisan Missouri Tax Credit Review Commission. The commission was created with the mission to review each of the state's 61 tax credit programs and make recommendations for greater efficacy and enhanced return on investment to the state.

Named to the Board of Directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington D.C., where he served as Chair of the Real Estate Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee.

Given the honor of being asked to chair the Salvation Army's Annual Christmas Campaign in Kansas City—only the second African American to chair the event in the Salvation Army's long history with the city.

Each year, The Salvation Army provides 10.8 million nights of shelter and over 60 million meals to people in need.

Selected to present an award to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Hong Kong on behalf of Kansas City.

Archbishop Tutu was on the front lines fighting apartheid in South Africa, working alongside Nelson Mandela to end the racial segregation system. This honor recognized Dr. Nash's commitment to international peace, diplomacy, and cross-cultural understanding.

Led delegations to Cuba to study their healthcare and education systems. One of the most heartbreaking moments came when a Cuban woman handed Dr. Nash her baby, asking him to take the child back to the United States for a better life.

Featured on NewsOne with Roland Martin and in Black Enterprise Magazine discussing U.S.-Cuban relations and business opportunities.

As City Councilman, led trade missions to Costa Rica and Mexico to create business linkages and economic opportunities for Kansas City businesses.

Championed the creation of the City Council International Committee to position Kansas City in the global marketplace and strengthen international business relationships.

Conducted humanitarian work across the African continent, focusing on community development, education initiatives, and building bridges between African and American communities.

Dr. Nash's work in Africa reflects his commitment to uplifting underserved communities worldwide —the same mission that drives his affordable housing work in the United States.

Hugh J. Zimmer

Legendary real estate developer and business leader at Newmark Zimmer.

Rosemary Lowe

Civil rights icon and community leader who paved the way.

Mayor Emanuel Cleaver

Former Kansas City Mayor and U.S. Congressman.

And Hundreds More...

Literally hundreds of others I've met along the way who believed in me and helped shape my journey.