Dr. Kimberly Hilliard

by Lacey McLaughlin
November 10, 2010

Dr. Kimberly Hilliard isn't one to make small plans. As the director of Jackson State University's Center for University-Based Development, Hilliard is on a mission to make west Jackson a more vibrant community by restoring homes and businesses.

"When we think about community, it's very personable. Each of the different neighborhoods has their own personality," she says. "We like to work with the neighborhood associations and say: 'What would you like to see as we develop a vision together?'"

Hilliard works with urban planners and developers on projects such as One University Place, an $18 million mixed-used project with apartments and retail space across the street from the university. Hilliard also oversees the "WESToration Initiative," a new program aimed at facilitating the purchase and refinancing of houses that need repairs or modernizing along Ellis Avenue and Gallatin Street, extending to Highway 80. Hilliard hopes that the initiative will bring new residents to the area.

"One of the things that was so clear in west Jackson, was a pride of history and paying homage to the historic properties and trying to save those," she says. "It's very interesting to me that we are at that junction at Jackson State. ... It's all about rebuilding community and working together to get it done."

Hilliard, 47, is a native of Washington, D.C. She received her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Tuskegee University. She worked in New Orleans as an aviation planner at GCR & Associates while she earned her master's degree in urban and regional planning at the University of New Orleans.

During a trip to Jackson to work on an airport contract in 2000, she met community activist and businessman Bill Cooley who encouraged her to stay in Jackson and help the growing city. In 2007, she earned her doctorate from JSU in urban and regional planning.

"I've been having a blast ever since," she says about her decision to move here.

When Hilliard talks about the future, she envisions vacant houses transformed into dream homes, neighborhood gardens, and more connectivity between downtown and JSU.

"We just have a diverse offering of houses," she says. "That is what is so attractive about WESToration project. Many people are looking to create dream homes but don't feel like they have the resources to do it. ... We are giving people the opportunity to create their dream homes very affordably."

Hilliard likes to attend various community and neighborhood association meetings in Jackson. Over the past decade, she's seen changes in the city's landscape and attitudes.

"I think people are more hopeful about Jackson," she says. "... I think people are very prideful about Jackson and excited about the future and the possibilities. To me, the potential of Jackson is very palpable and real. I can see it, 
and I can taste it."

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