When De’Vonna Pittman launched Nature’s Syrup Beauty, she wasn’t just starting a business, she was answering a calling. A calling to restore trust in hair care, to heal from personal loss, and to take on what she called the “curly hair crisis.” Shaped by her own experience as a Black woman with tight, coily hair, De’Vonna began...
April is National Volunteer Month, a time to celebrate the power of service, community, and connection. At Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), that impact is made possible through the leadership of staff and the dedication of volunteers who work together to strengthen local entrepreneurs and the...
We are pleased to share that Shahir Ahmed has been promoted and appointed to Chief Program & Innovation Officer (CPIO) at Neighborhood Development Center. This role recognizes Shahir's decade of dedicated service, deep institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to NDC's mission. This past month, Shahir also...
For Leonardo Castellano, food has always been more than just a meal—it's a connection to his roots, his family, and his lifelong passion. Living his formative years in Orlando, Florida, Leo carries with him the flavors and traditions of his family's Venezuelan cooking. In 2017, he began turning that passion into a business from his...
We are so excited to welcome Wisdom Kowhegba as our newest Citizen League's Capitol Pathways intern! Wisdom is a senior at the University of Minnesota, where he studies Economics. A former track and field athlete, Wisdom knows what it takes to show up, put in the work, and push...
Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) serves small business owners and entrepreneurs across Minnesota. Right now, we are operating through increasingly difficult circumstances. No one is in this alone. We created an Entrepreneur Resources page that brings together a wide range of tools and connections. From workplace...
Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) is proud to support longtime client and partner Dalton Outlaw in opening Magnolia Flats, a new affordable housing project in east St. Paul. This initiative marks a key step in NDC’s expanding real estate program, aimed at helping entrepreneurs create wealth...
Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) is proud to welcome Andriana Abariotes as our new Senior VP of Advancement and Capital Strategy. Andriana is an executive leader in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors with over 25 years of experience advancing public-private partnerships, supporting capital investment strategies, and guiding...
Photo Credit: Twin Cities Business Magazine Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) congratulates our President and CEO Renay Dossman on her Twin Cities Business (TCB) Community Impact Award for Nonprofit Leadership Excellence! Renay’s leadership reflects the belief that lasting change begins within the community. As a former entrepreneur herself,...
Congratulations to NDC Board Member Erik Splett on receiving a well-deserved award as a Twin Cities Business Magazine Notable Board Member! For the past four years, Erik Splett has been a dedicated member of the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) Board of Directors, using his legal expertise...