We Teach
Professional Speaking
"I grew up in Section 8 housing. I became a CEO. The distance between those two points is the story I was born to tell."
Dr. Troy Nash and Arielle Nash deliver multi generational keynotes rooted in eight degrees, active affordable housing development, and lived experience that no textbook can teach.
Why Audiences Remember This Keynote
The Story
Section 8 Beginnings
Raised in Kansas City public housing, Dr. Nash learned what housing insecurity costs a family. That lived experience now drives every deal he structures and every audience he addresses.
Service and Eight Degrees
Served in the U.S. Air Force, then earned eight degrees, with a ninth in progress: Ed.D. from Saint Louis University, J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, M.B.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, M.P.H. from Brown University, M.A. in Economics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, M.A. in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania (currently pursuing), M.U.P. from the University of Southern California, and B.S. in Economics from Wesley College. Discipline forged in the military became the engine behind relentless academic pursuit.
Breaking Barriers
Served eight years on the Kansas City Council and chaired its Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee. Served as an MHDC Vice Chairman. Was the first African-American to become a partner in a top 10 commercial real estate firm in the history of the State of Missouri. Now an assistant teaching professor at a major university.
Book One or Both
Your Speakers
A father and daughter team delivering multi generational insight that resonates from the boardroom to the community center.
Dr. Troy Nash
CEO, Lead Keynote Speaker, and Former NSA National Board Member
Dr. Nash grew up in Section 8 housing and was the first African-American to become a partner in a top 10 commercial real estate firm in the history of the State of Missouri. He holds eight degrees, with a ninth in progress, including an M.P.H. from Brown University, a J.D., an Ed.D., MUP from USC, MBA, and M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (currently pursuing). A U.S. Air Force veteran who served eight years on the Kansas City Council, chaired its Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee and served as an MHDC Vice Chairman, he is developing 254 homes, and teaches at a major university. Your audience will leave with a blueprint for turning systemic obstacles into measurable outcomes.
Arielle Nash
President, Next Generation Speaker
Arielle Nash co-founded The Nash Group and serves as its President. She brought Capitol Hill experience gained alongside Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II directly into the private sector, earning recognition from Ingram's Magazine as a 20 in Their 20s emerging business leader. She connects with Gen Z and Millennial audiences on affordable housing, next generation leadership, and what it means to build a mission driven career before age 30. Your audience will see that transformational leadership has no minimum age requirement.
Category 1 - 8 Topics
Inspirational and Motivational
From Section 8 to the C-Suite
An inspirational journey from public housing to top business executive.
Defying the Odds
How to overcome labels and low expectations to achieve greatness.
Breaking Barriers in Business
First African-American to become a partner in a top 10 commercial real estate firm in the history of the State of Missouri.
The Power of Lifelong Learning
Why so many degrees? Continuous education drives excellence.
Finding Your Purpose
Align your career with your calling for lasting impact.
Global Citizenship
Lessons from travel to over 50 countries and international humanitarian work.
Building Generational Wealth
Creating financial legacies that transform families for generations.
Resilience Through Adversity
Turning setbacks into comebacks and obstacles into opportunities.
Category 2 - 6 Topics
Real Estate and Development
The Affordable Housing Crisis
Understanding the crisis from someone who lived it and builds solutions.
LIHTC Development Masterclass
Deep dive into 4% and 9% tax credits and QAP strategies.
Deal Structuring
Mastering complex layered financing and capital stacks.
Faith-Based Development
Unlocking church-owned land through ground leases.
Health and Housing
Social determinants of health and anchor institution partnerships.
Transit-Oriented Development
Building affordable housing near public transit corridors.
Category 3 - 6 Topics
Government and Public Policy
Public-Private Partnerships
Bridge public purpose and private capital for transformative development.
Government Incentives
TIF, tax abatement, PILOT, and special districts explained.
Housing Finance Agencies
Insider perspective from a former MHDC Vice Chairman.
Political Process for Developers
How city councils work and navigating public hearings.
Urban Planning
Zoning, land use, and working with planning departments.
Economic Development
Job creation and corridor revitalization from a former Planning & Zoning Chair.
Category 4 - 6 Topics
Military and Veterans
From Military to Developer
Military discipline, GI Bill, and veteran resilience create success.
Veterans in Real Estate
Skills translation, VA programs, and building a CRE career.
Military Leadership Lessons
Dorm chief for 50 airmen - translating military leadership to business.
Education While Serving
Earning a degree during active duty and Desert Storm.
Veteran Entrepreneurship
Starting and scaling businesses using military discipline and values.
Service to Civilian Success
Navigating the transition from military service to civilian career.
Category 5 - 6 Topics
Leadership and Development
Building a Family Legacy
Founding The Nash Group with daughter Arielle.
Mentorship That Matters
Learning from legends and paying it forward.
Effective Board Service
Lessons from Arvest Bank, University Health, and more.
Student Achievement
Helping his mother earn a GED at 55, tutoring brothers into college.
Executive Presence
Commanding the room and leading with confidence and authenticity.
Scaling Organizations
Growing teams and companies while maintaining culture and values.
Perfect For
Ideal Audiences
Industry Conferences
NAHB, ULI, Novogradac
Government
City councils, HFAs
Nonprofits
CDCs, community dev
Faith-Based
Church conventions
Universities
RE and business schools
Financial
Banks, CDFIs
Corporate
Leadership, DEI
Veterans
Military transition
Young Professionals
Career development
Student Organizations
Campus events
Emerging Leaders
Next-gen programs
Flexible options
Presentation Formats
Keynote Address
45-60 minute inspirational presentations for conferences and major events.
Workshop
Half-day or full-day deep dives with interactive exercises and Q&A.
Panel Discussion
Engaging conversations and fireside chats with audience Q&A.
Webinars
Live virtual presentations reaching audiences anywhere in the world.
Seminars
Educational sessions with in-depth content and practical takeaways.
Breakout Sessions
Smaller group formats for focused discussions and networking.
Audience Response
What Sets Us Apart
Authenticity
Not theory - lived experience. Dr. Nash grew up in the public housing he talks about.
Substance
Eight degrees, active affordable housing developer, decades of experience. Every presentation delivers actionable insights.
Connection
A father-daughter team that connects across generations through storytelling that inspires change.
Get Started
Booking Information
What’s Included
- Pre-event consultation to customize content
- Tailored presentation for your audience
- Professional presentation materials
- Q and A session with audience
Post-event follow-up resources
Booking Process
Book Dr. Nash and Arielle for Your Next Event
Inspire your audience with powerful stories of transformation, multi-generational perspectives, and purpose-driven leadership.
Contact us directly:
Why this is hard to copy
The talks are the work, not a summary of somebody else's
The material comes from the deals, the council seat and the commission, and it is current because the work is current.
The record includes presenting an award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Hong Kong, leading a delegation to Cuba, and trade missions to Mexico and Costa Rica. Each is documented in coverage published at the time.
A speaker can rehearse a story. This is a file.
Source: the record and the press archive, with the coverage published at the time.
The evidence
What this is built on
Not a claim about capability. These are the accounts behind this service, each one carrying the coverage published at the time.
Our team consists of four USC-trained urban planners, plus professional degrees in architecture, law, economics, and nonprofit management.
November 2000
Presenting an Award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Hong Kong
Presenting an award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Hong Kong.
Read the account →December 2000
Leading a Delegation to Cuba
Leading a delegation to Cuba.
Read the account →2001
International Trade: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Global Economic Development
Trade missions to Mexico and Costa Rica.
Read the account →Is this the one you need?
Tell us what you are trying to build and we will tell you honestly which service applies, or whether none does.