Today we’d like to introduce you to Darwin Wade.
Hi Darwin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’d describe my life’s story as one rooted in community development and housing—not just as a profession, but as a personal calling.
I grew up in public housing in a small East Texas town called San Augustine, in a community shaped by poverty, limited opportunity, and the realities that come with both. Even as a child, I understood that housing was more than a place to live—it was the foundation for safety, stability, and hope. That understanding became my “why,” and it continues to guide my work today.
My parents were blue-collar workers in the poultry and timber industries that sustained our rural economy. As the youngest of eleven siblings, I became a first-generation college graduate and later the first in my family to earn graduate degrees. Education opened doors for me, but service gave my life direction.
One of the most meaningful chapters of my journey came full circle when I served on—and later chaired—the Board of Commissioners of the public housing authority that once served my family. That experience gave me firsthand insight into how housing policy, finance, and people’s lives intersect. Early in my career, I worked for the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority as a Housing Choice Voucher Coordinator and Homebuyer Counselor, helping families move toward self-sufficiency and, ultimately, homeownership. Over the next several years, I worked across nonprofit and public-sector roles developing housing, managing grants, and building partnerships—eventually helping shape the very systems that once shaped me.
In 2025, following a period of significant organizational restructuring within the City of Dallas, I made a deliberate decision to step away from public-sector employment after 23 years and chart my next chapter. It was a thoughtful and strategic transition that allowed me to reflect on where I could make the greatest impact with the experience and perspective I had gained.
That decision led to the launch of Wade and Wade Consulting, LLC, an independent consulting practice focused on helping communities strengthen systems, leverage resources, and deliver housing solutions that are sustainable and people-centered. Our work spans grants management and compliance, housing strategy and finance, training and facilitation, neighborhood revitalization and planning, capacity building, and faith-based development strategy. Every project is personal to me—because I know what’s possible when systems work, and what’s at stake when they don’t.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
Coming from a small rural town, there were times early in my career when I didn’t see many people who looked like me in leadership roles in housing, finance, or government. Fortunately, I found powerful examples much closer to home—within my church and community. I was surrounded by entrepreneurs, tradespeople, educators, and public servants who quietly modeled leadership, ownership, and service.
One person who made a lasting impact was my Sunday School teacher, George Martin. He encouraged my interest in housing and recommended me for my first professional role after college at Pineywoods HOME Team Affordable Housing, a community housing development organization where he served on the board. That opportunity helped launch my career and showed me firsthand how mentorship can change trajectories.
Professionally, I’ve also learned that good intentions alone aren’t enough. Community development work is complex, highly regulated, and deeply intertwined with politics and public trust. Balancing mission with compliance, urgency with sustainability, and community needs with institutional constraints has been one of the hardest—and most important—lessons of my career.
Launching my own consulting practice added another layer of growth. Moving from public-sector leadership into entrepreneurship required me to think differently about risk, value, and sustainability. But it also gave me the freedom to bring my full experience to the table and work with partners who are serious about systems-level impact. Remaining active in the housing space—as a consultant, trainer, speaker, panelist, and advocate—has been challenging, humbling, and deeply rewarding.
Each challenge sharpened my perspective and reinforced the importance of thoughtful leadership, humility, and persistence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wade and Wade Consulting, LLC?
My work sits at the intersection of housing, public finance, and systems improvement. Over the years, I’ve led and supported initiatives involving affordable housing development, permanent supportive housing, federal and state grants, and cross-sector partnerships.
Through Wade and Wade Consulting, LLC, I work with cities, nonprofits, developers, advocacy groups, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen housing and community development strategies. This includes aligning funding with policy goals, improving grant systems, navigating complex development deals, building nonprofit capacity, and helping projects move from concept to reality.
One area I especially enjoy is training and facilitation. As a national trainer with the National Community Development Association, I work with practitioners across the country on federal entitlement grant compliance—helping them navigate complexity while staying focused on impact.
What ties all of my work together is a focus on sustainability and accountability. I’m less interested in one-time wins and more focused on helping organizations build systems that continue to deliver results long after a project ends.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is growing up in public housing—meeting friends at the bus stop each morning, coming home after school for a snack, and spending afternoons playing outside until nightfall and homework time. It felt like a large extended family. We didn’t think about being poor or low-income; we knew we had a safe place to live, learn, and play.
I remember walking with my grandmother to the town square because we didn’t have a car, and watching her—or my aunt—take the monthly rent payment to the housing authority office to make sure it was paid on time so we could remain safe and secure. Those moments were simple, but they were filled with community, responsibility, and care.
Years later, I could never have imagined that the same little boy would be appointed by the mayor to serve on that very housing authority board—and eventually become its chairman. Or that he would go on to work in housing departments across Texas, from small towns to major cities, ultimately serving as an Assistant Housing Director in one of the largest cities in the nation and later becoming an entrepreneur.
Life has a way of routing—and sometimes re-routing—you. Those early memories remind me why the work matters and why creating stable, supportive places to live can truly change the trajectory of families and communities. I am a witness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wawconsultingllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wawconsulting?igsh=YzFnbHZkdHU5aHdj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/728880460303631
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wawconsultingllc
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/wawconsulting
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WadeandWadeConsultingLLC
Image Credits
Lakeisha Wade
