Community Developers Roundtable Successfully Launches Fort Worth Chapter
Innovan Team • September 2, 2025
The Fort Worth program of the Community Developers Roundtable is officially underway. Learn how the cohort will empower local real estate leaders with capital and training to build stronger, more equitable neighborhoods.
FORT WORTH, Texas
— The Community Developers Roundtable (CDR), a proven program of Innovan Neighborhoods, officially and successfully launched its Fort Worth chapter on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, marking a major step toward championing locally rooted developers as small business leaders.
The launch event was made possible through the generous support of host sponsor Texas Wesleyan University, where it was held at the Baker Building. The event successfully gathered a diverse group of emerging and established nonprofit and for-profit real estate developers, community leaders, stakeholders, funders and partners dedicated to equitable and sustainable neighborhood growth. The CDR program’s mission is to unlock homegrown opportunities by equipping local developers with access to critical capital, peer learning, strategic support and strong networks. The developers operate as small businesses deeply invested in their neighborhoods.
Maggie Parker, founder of Innovan Neighborhoods and the Community Developers Roundtable, addressed the attendees, highlighting the organization's history of success and the strategic importance of the Fort Worth expansion.
“Our two-year pilot program showed that equipping locally rooted developers with resources, networks and capital, they can drive lasting impact,” Parker notes. She emphasized the program’s vision, stating, “The Fort Worth expansion is about championing and empowering developers who understand the context of their neighborhoods, making them best positioned to build, revitalize and reinvigorate the places they call home which contributes to the economic vitality of Fort Worth.”
Event Highlights
The program officially launched with a dynamic event that included:
- Key Stakeholder Addresses: Attendees heard about the CDR’s established model and the vision for its application and impact across Fort Worth.
- Testimonials: Past cohort participants provided firsthand accounts, sharing the real-world impact they achieved after completing the program.
- Program Overview: A detailed, step-by-step overview of the application process for the inaugural Fort Worth Cohort was provided, officially opening the application window.
- Networking: Developers, funders and community partners connected, fostering the strategic relationships necessary for future community development projects.
With the successful launch of the Fort Worth chapter, the Community Developers Roundtable is now poised to move into its first cohort selection phase, building on its momentum to ensure that local real estate leaders have the capacity to create more affordable housing and vital community assets.
About the Community Developers Roundtable
203-home for-sale development along Lancaster corridor reflects five years of community-driven planning and investment.
A Milestone for Attainable Homeownership and Community-Led Development in Southern Dallas
Innovan Neighborhoods, its partners and city leaders collaborate to launch a 203-home development providing attainable for-sale housing in the Southern Dallas Education Corridor.
Partners, sponsors, and developers gathered at Mercury Chophouse in downtown Fort Worth for the Community Developers Roundtable (CDR) Partner Dinner, an evening focused on strengthening the relationships that help move community-centered development forward. The event was proudly sponsored by PNC Bank , with remarks from Karen Riley, who spoke about the importance of collaboration between financial institutions and developers working to bring impactful projects to life. Support from partners like PNC helps expand access to capital and opportunity for emerging community developers.
The first session of the Community Developers Roundtable (CDR) Fort Worth launched with great energy and excitement. Hosted at Bennett Partners, one of Fort Worth’s leading architecture firms, the event brought together an incredible group of emerging developers, local partners, and community advocates who are passionate about shaping stronger and more inclusive neighborhoods. Participants began the morning with breakfast and networking before diving into a full agenda that blended learning, discussion, and inspiration. Setting the Vision The morning opened with introductions and a conversation about the purpose and vision of the CDR program. CDR Fort Worth is a nine-month professional development program designed to equip emerging community developers with practical knowledge, mentorship, and resources to move their real estate projects forward. Led by Innovan Neighborhoods, the program focuses on building long-term capacity within Fort Worth’s development ecosystem. Participants also learned what to expect from upcoming monthly sessions, each designed to combine expert insights with peer exchange and hands-on learning.