Subject area:                      Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Ownership and Anti-displacement Solutions

Region:                                   Boston, Massachusetts

Industry:                                Nonprofit Organization

Company:                              Jamaica Plain Center South Main Streets

Decision Maker:                Ginger Brown, Executive Director

In response to rising real estate prices and community displacement in Jamaica Plain, a consulting team partnered with JP Centre/South Main Streets to develop a sustainable model for the Jamaica Plain Community Investment Trust (JP-CIT). The goal? Enable residents to co-own commercial spaces and preserve the area’s cultural identity.

The challenge was clear: With property prices increasing by over 26% in a decade, legacy businesses and residents were being pushed out. The BE-EDGE consulting team – Tracy, Haoran , Arjav , and William were tasked with designing a community-controlled investment vehicle that supports anti-displacement, inclusive governance, and long-term affordability.

Their deliverables included:

• A market-validated community investment framework
• A governance model prioritizing resident ownership
• A regulatory roadmap for nonprofit investment
• Strategic recommendations balancing financial sustainability and social impact

Throughout the fast-paced project, the team conducted heat map analysis, evaluated investment models, and proposed a hybrid strategy tailored to the organization’s capacity and goals. The participants were mentored by Mourad Afani a seasoned expert in private equity, strategy, and design thinking whose guidance helped strengthen the team’s approach to impact-focused consulting.

What makes this achievement even more impressive?

It was all done over just two intensive weekends during the BE-EDGE Consult-a-thon. Despite the limited time, the participants delivered a thoughtful, community-centered solution that impressed their nonprofit client and demonstrated the real-world impact of purposeful consulting.

If you’re looking to grow your consulting skills, expand your network, and contribute to projects that matter — don’t miss the next BE-EDGE Consult-a-thon.

What Participants Had to Say on LinkedIn

Haoran: “This project challenged us to think creatively about how a nonprofit model can address commercial real estate pressures while building long-term community resilience.”

Tracy: “It was a fast-paced, high-pressure experience that pushed me to think critically, adapt quickly, and engage in real-time problem-solving with limited resources.”

Arjav: “What made this experience rewarding was to be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds which helped us shape the strategy.”