An Inspiring Evening of Celebration, Connection, and Community Impact
The 2025 Leverage theme, Framing Future Impact, reflects how design can spark lasting change, block by block, project by project. We are thankful to our sponsors, supporters, guests, and colleagues for fueling the Collaborative’s mission to turn community visions into design solutions.
This special evening brought together leaders in architecture, design, development, and community building for a night of connection, storytelling, and inspiration.
Explore the Digital Program Book
It's not too late to make a gift - support CDC and Leverage here!
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2025 Leverage Award Winner - John Chin
The Community Design Collaborative was thrilled to honor John W. Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, with the 2025 Leverage Award! This award recognizes local leaders who have strengthened neighborhoods through design and led transformative community development in the region.
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2025 Anchor Award Winner -
THE YARD on John Coltrane Street
Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation (SMCDC) is celebrating the legacy of jazz music and culture in the neighborhood by preserving and revitalizing John Coltrane Street (1500 Block of N. 33rd Street), home of the historic Coltrane House. The Yard, located along this historic gateway corridor, is a new public outdoor space developed by SMCDC for Strawberry Mansion to celebrate its culture and build community!
Learn more about the project here!
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2025 Linchpin Award Winner -
Eli Storch & Design Advocacy Group
Inform, Engage, Act
The Design Advocacy Group (DAG) is a public forum and advocate for design quality and equity in the planning, architecture, preservation and physical development of Philadelphia.
Learn more about DAG here!
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Thank you to our generous sponsors!
We’re also grateful to the following supporters for their generous contributions to Leverage 2025:
Diamond & Associates - JKRP - OZ Collaborative - SEIC - Joseph B. Callaghan
React Environmental Professional Services Group, Inc. (REPSG) - Cellar Dog
SCHRADER GROUP, a Hord Coplan Macht Studio
Penns Woods Winery - Triple Bottom Brewing
