Kendra Liddell Talks Revitalizing The McKinney Center as a Community Micro Ecosystem
Kendra Liddell, representing the Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CDCPDA), recently joined host Trae Holiday on “The Day With Trae” to share insights regarding the revitalization of the The McKinney Center for Community & Economic Development and the importance of intentional community building.
A major theme of Liddell’s work is the creation of a "micro ecosystem" within the center that connects to the broader community. She explained the benefits of this collaborative model.
"When we come together and we share those stories and experiences, it lets us know you have other folks that you can link arms with and go through this journey with them as well,” she said.
Liddell is also focused on preserving local history through an upcoming exhibit honoring Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney’s 100th birthday. She emphasized the importance of telling regional stories that are often overlooked.
"While students may learn about a very broad history of Black culture and leaders, it's not always specific to the region,” she said.
Reflecting on the intentionality of her work, Liddell shared a personal mantra. "I just want to be where I'm supposed to be... because if you're where you're supposed to be, whether it's good, bad, or indifferent, you have everything inside of you to overcome challenges and to actually see success,” she said.
Liddell invited the community to the CDCPDA Springing Forward: Brunch for Black Economic Brilliance on April 17, 2026 at the Amazon Frontier. Her hope for the event is to spark a "domino effect" of inspiration.
"What we're doing breaks down those barriers in a way that people can feel seen and heard while they get the support that they need,” she said.
Learn more about the Springing Forward: Brunch for Black Economic Brilliance here.
Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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