Meet Willie Rankin | Executive Director of LVTRise

We had the good fortune of connecting with Willie Rankin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Willie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe my success comes from my ability to look at situations from different perspectives. I embrace diversity of thought and encourage healthy debate on any project I am involved in. This approach allowed me to be part of many initiatives that require a collaborative approach. Many organizations are looking for diverse leaders to assist in their initiatives, but it is difficult to include people from different backgrounds if they have a bias that will prevent them from collaborating effectively. I make a conscious effort to try to understand why people think the way they do, and in that process I learn more about the problems I am trying to solve. I have made many allies in my career for the respect I show people with opposing ideas. In a world that is being increasingly divisive, my brand of working together for a common cause has become more of a breath of fresh air to community leaders.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I work for a nonprofit called LVTRise. We were established in 2018 to revitalize an underserved neighborhood in West Fort Worth. When people think of revitalization of low-income neighborhoods, gentrification becomes a concern to many residents. We are run a community center in the middle of the neighborhood to give residents a place to go when they are in need. Our nonprofit uses a place-base management approach which allows us to collaborate with a variety of government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations to help increase community members access to resources. By transitioning these resources inside the neighborhood, crime rates and school performance are impacted in a positive manner. Instead of recreating the wheel, we allow great organizations like The Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Fort Worth Library and many more organizations, use our center to provide their services. Being a nonprofit that serves as a coordinator of social services and community investment, our ability to address neighborhood issues comprehensively is a strength.

Forming partnerships and fundraising are the most challenging aspect of the business. I strategically try to find a synergy between our organization and prospect companies that will benefit both organizations while holistically serving residents of the neighborhood. This approach requires a high level of trust, communication, and planning to accomplish. By intentionally building relationships with these companies, our ability to serve more people in the community has grown. By working together, more people are impacted in a positive manner.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would make sure we visited small companies, such as Stephanie’s Jamaican Kitchen at 1409 Evans Street Fort Worth, TX, 76104. My family enjoys international dishes and an authentic Jamaican meal is the best way to embrace the diversity that is in Fort Worth. Covid has kept many businesses outside, so I would try to find where The Food Box DFW has parked their food truck and enjoy a meal outside. After the horrible winter we experienced this year, I would find any reason to enjoy the outdoors.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have many people that have helped me get to this point of my career, but the person who carries the heaviest load in my professional journey is my wife Melissa Rankin. My wife thoroughly understands nonprofit leadership and management, although she works as a financial advisor professionally. When I need to flush ideas out or vent, she is the one who helps me gather my thoughts before the public sees the final product. My career pulls me in many directions and it is difficult to juggle with an 8-month-old and a 5-year-old at home. Through my family, mentors, friends, and supporters, I can do what I do today.

Website: www.lvtrise.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lvt_rise/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lvtrise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LVTRise

Image Credits
LVTRise