Creating Stronger Communities Through Equality and Conversations, with Cathy Sloss Jones

“Be kind because kindness matters—and love the people you love as much as you can.”

In today’s divided world, what can individuals and their communities do to heal together? That’s a question Cathy Sloss Jones has been asking since growing up in Birmingham, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Rather than wait for others to make the changes she hoped to see in her hometown, Cathy jumped in herself. For decades, she’s become a leader in creating healthy, vibrant, and equitable neighborhoods with her company, Sloss Real Estate. Her team largely focuses on urban development and revitalization in ways that supports diversity and inclusivity.

Cathy has also become a staunch advocate for bridging the divides made in communities after centuries of racial inequality and injustice. She encourages everyone to take action, be kind—and perhaps most importantly—genuinely listen to those being impacted the most.

In this week’s Leading with Genuine Care podcast, Cathy and I chat about the importance of intentional community building, why she became so passionate for these projects, and how to play an active role in fighting against racial and socioeconomic inequality. You’ll also learn:

How growing up in Birmingham in the 60s influenced her life Why listening is integral in healing today’s racial divide What we can do to fix our broken systems How can have more honest conversations about race in the U.S. Which people have most influenced Cathy How can government better serve our local communities What is Pepper Place How the Pepper Place Market supports local farmers Why the Market brings the community together How meditation helps her love others better If Cathy is optimistic about America’s future And much more!

More About Cathy Sloss Jones
Cathy was an active participant in creating Birmingham’s City Center Master Plan and chaired the Downtown Redevelopment Authority for over 15 years.

Her most noteworthy projects include Birmingham’s Pepper Place which involved renovating an abandoned Dr. Pepper syrup plant and turning the area into vibrant mixed-use district. It’s now widely recognized as Birmingham’s premiere design district.

Her company also acted as co-developer of Park Place which was Birmingham’s first HOPE VI project. Six city blocks of obsolete public housing were developed into a twelve-block mixed-use, mixed-income community.

She is the recipient of numerous awards including Birmingham Businesswoman of the Year, Women Who Make A Difference, ULI Atlanta Award for Excellence for her work at Pepper Place, and Executives of Influence, Birmingham’s Most Influential Executives and Top 40 Under 40 All-Stars.

Connect with Sloss Real Estate
Website: slossrealestate.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sloss-real-estate-company

Connect with Pepper Place
Website: www.pepperplace.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PepperPlace
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PepperPlace
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pepperplacebham

Connect with Pepper Place Market
Website: www.pepperplacemarket.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marketatpepperplace
Instagram: www.instagram.com/marketatpepperplace

Additional Resources
Florida State University Research
diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:183803/datastream/PDF/view

Alabama Academy of Honor
https://www.alabamaacademyofhonor.org/catherine-sloss-jones

Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement
www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/eyesontheprize

Finding Your Roots, with Skip Gates
www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots

How to be an Anti-Racist
www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283

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