Tawfiq Abdul-Karim
Slater King (1927-1969), a successful real estate and insurance broker in Georgia, was a key figure in the fight for desegregation and Black empowerment during the Civil Rights Era. Working alongside leaders like Ralph Abernathy and his cousin, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he played a pivotal role in the Albany Movement of 1961—an effort to desegregate the city of Albany, Georgia. Beyond segregation, Black communities faced systematic economic disenfranchisement, particularly in land and property ownership. Black farmers were frequently denied access to credit, faced discriminatory lending practices, and were forcibly evicted from land as retaliation for civil rights activism. These injustices left many Black families without a path to financial stability or generational wealth. Recognizing political rights alone were not enough, Slater King sought innovative solutions to secure long-term economic self-determination for African Americans.
His quest for answers led him to Israel, in 1968 where he studied moshavim and kibbutzim—two types of Jewish cooperative agricultural settlements built upon collective land ownership. Both models were designed to provide economic and social security through cooperative land ownership, reducing economic inequality and fostering community resilience.
Inspired by these models, King applied these principles to support farmers in Albany, Georgia — many of whom were forcibly evicted from their land for their involvement in voter registration and desegregation efforts. Drawing on what he had learned in Israel, King founded New Communities, Inc. in 1969—the first community land trust in the United States. Located in Southwest Georgia, this groundbreaking initiative was a Black-led agricultural cooperative and land trust, enabling Black farmers to collectively own and manage land, and thereby creating opportunities for economic independence and stability.
Although King passed away in a car accident a year later, New Communities, Inc., went on to acquire over 5,700 acres of farmland in Georgia, making it the largest Black-owned landholding in the country at the time. The co-op provided a means for Black families to farm, produce goods, and build sustainable livelihoods without fear of economic retribution. However, due to systemic discrimination—including being denied federal loans and other critical resources—New Communities faced significant financial hardship through the 1980’s. Despite this setback, New Communities persevered and remains active today, continuing its mission to support individuals through the CLT structure.
Slater King’s efforts in Georgia, contributed to a broader national conversation about economic justice and land reform. By pioneering the community land trust model, he introduced an innovative approach to land stewardship that would shape housing policy and economic development for generations. While CLTs were born out of the struggle for racial and economic justice, their structure has since evolved to serve a diverse range of communities, providing a pathway to homeownership, wealth creation, and long-term economic stability. King’s advocacy and legacy highlighted the intersection between civil rights and economic autonomy, demonstrating that social change requires financial empowerment and structural solutions that benefit many Americans today.
In today’s high-cost environment, CLTs offer a proven solution to combat the affordability crisis while fostering long-term community resilience. Home prices and rent continue to outpace wage growth, which puts homeownership increasingly out of reach for working– and middle-class Americans. Given that a home is the largest asset and primary source of wealth generation for most Americans, CLTs provide a vital pathway to financial security through shared equity, ensuring affordability while allowing homeowners to build wealth over time. By stabilizing neighborhoods and limiting displacement, CLTs not only benefit individual families but also strengthen local economies, because homeowners provide a reliable tax base, support local businesses, and contribute to community resilience. This balance between personal investment and collective stewardship makes CLTs a powerful tool for both homeowners and municipalities striving for long-term economic health.
Modern-day CLTs, like the Community Preservation Trust, build on these principles by tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of the College Park community. The success of the Community Preservation Trust is not just rooted in public investment but in strong partnerships with community members, the University of Maryland, and local and federal governments that share a commitment to affordable housing. These partnerships go beyond financial support—they involve a collective effort to challenge systemic barriers to homeownership. Much like New Communities Inc., modern CLTs employ innovative strategies to expand access to homeownership, ensuring individuals and families can build wealth and remain in their communities for generations. By working alongside those willing to seek dynamic solutions, CLTs play a critical role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for places like College Park.
To learn more about the College Park Community Preservation Trust, visit: www.communitypreservationtrust.org