Episode 92: DeLisa Guerrier

We break things. That is what we as humans do. We have an almost innate compulsion to systematically destroy what is around us, usually in the name of greed, access, revenge. Even in the “greatest story ever told,” there is Judas. Who for 30 pieces of silver betrayed a friend with a kiss, ended a ministry, and yet was the match that lit the flame for one of the greatest spiritual, religious and controversial movements of the last two thousand years.

We live in a world today that is being broken on the familiar wheels of racism, mysogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, and the demonization of the education system. And as our economy, neighborly feelings and social compacts once thought to be invioable are torn assunder, there are still the builders in our midst.

DeLisa Guerrier and her husband (founders of Guerrier Development) have amassed a multi-billion dollar development and contruction empire in Nashville, TN to build housing for people who may not spark interest on the social register or on Moody’s. They are building theme parks to celebrate, of all things today, reading. And activating the minds of our children. Green shoots of hope and possibility in a time of great tumult and great upheavel. All, sadly, self-inflicted wounds. 

What uplifts me in my conversation with DeLisa? It is the story of love and faith that have been the foundation of her work, and her belief that there is hope for tomorrow. Her message is clear: as our ancestors survived, so shall we - we will make it to the other side of this season of turmoil and rumors of war, we just keep driving and building through this storm.