TAMPA FL– Tampa, like other major cities, is always looking for ways to improve inner city neighborhoods by nourishing businesses, jobs, and opportunities. City government can only do so much, as city governments don’t start businesses. They can however improve roads, parks, public safety, and enforce property ordinances.

East Tampa is one such area. It is situated between downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida. The neighborhood’s challenges date back to social and economic segregation from decades past, as well as construction of I-275 through the neighborhood in the 1960s. To address these challenges, the city established an economic redevelopment area there and dedicated a large portion of tax revenue collected in the community to addressing locally-identified needs.

Natasha Goodley is a business and political consultant who lives in East Tampa. She has been able to use her expertise to win improvements and attention for this community. She does so by serving on the city-chartered committee dedicated to East Tampa redevelopment, and has served as the chairperson for several consecutive one-year terms, each time elected by her peers serving the committee.

In addition, she assumes responsibility for families of young students who have difficulty affording lunch at school. By heading several fundraising drives, she has been able to pay off student lunch debts for many grateful students and their families.

Not everybody can personally impact a community in such a way, but Goodley shows the way.