One of the City of High Point’s most visible director positions has been filled just in time for the new hire to hit the ground running at the start of 2023.
Thanena Wilson has accepted the position with the city as the Community Development and Housing Department director and she’s starting her new role immediately.
As the head of Community Development efforts, Wilson will be responsible for the administration of High Point federal block grant programs, state and local funding and local code enforcement.
That department establishes and supports programs that do things like promote affordable housing construction, help homeowners repair dwellings and help homebuyers make down payments. The Community Development director also supports free tax preparation for some through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
City Manager Tasha Logan Ford said this week that she’s confident Wilson will keep the city on the right track when it comes to affordable housing.
“I am pleased to see Nena accept this role,” Logan Ford said. “Her years of experience and strong work ethic are just what we need to continue our momentum on important community and housing issues.”
Logan has more than two and a half decades of experience in the community development field.
Wilson, who began working for the City of High Point in 2015, most recently served as the assistant director for community development and housing.
Prior to taking a job with High Point government, she worked for the City of Gastonia in a number of positions, and she also worked previously for Cumberland County and a non-profit community development corporation.
Wilson said in a prepared statement that she believes she can bring an innovative approach to these efforts in High Point.
“To be selected to lead this department is certainly an honor,” Wilson stated. “Our community is facing huge challenges around the lack of affordable housing, homelessness, mental health issues, food insecurity and so many other community concerns. I step into this role to build on a good foundation, and I look forward to bringing some new and innovative ways to address our community’s needs.”
She graduated Cum Laude from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later earned a master’s degree in business administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Since beginning her work with the City of High Point, Wilson has participated in Leadership High Point and she currently serves on the Guilford County Continuum of Care Board, the Small-Scale Manufacturing Task Force and on various committees representing the City of High Point.
Wow another black woman in power. Awesome.
I do admire how comfortable you are showing your racism front and center.
Sigh. “Administer federal block grant programs”. Or, giving away our tax money, if you will. If you can’t afford to buy a house, why is it my problem?
Will this ever stop?
Scott, have you ever compared the comments under articles for black professionals being promoted to white professionals being promoted? It’s a pattern of racist comments for black promotions, but they have nothing to say when someone white is being promoted. The qualifications have no impact on their feelings. It’s just an observation. Be blessed.
Not at conservative Republicans are racist….but all racists are conservative Republicans. .