North Texas Community Foundation announces Fort Worth entrepreneur and civic leader, Dr. Flora Brewer, as the first recipient of the Foundation’s Trailblazer Award. The honor recognizes the outstanding leadership and achievements of individuals who have driven innovation and impact in our community.
A Fort Worth resident for over 40 years, Dr. Brewer has been at the helm of various supportive housing projects bringing long-term, sustainable change for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
Dr. Brewer is the President of Paulos Properties, a social-purpose real estate development company working to bring socially productive businesses to the Near East Side neighborhood. In 2015, she combined her business, nonprofit and philanthropic knowledge to develop a nationally-recognized, sustainable, permanent supportive housing complex, The Palm Tree Apartments, which houses 24 previously unsheltered households.
Adapting the successful model she used at the Palm Tree Apartments, Flora helped found New Leaf Community Services in 2019, which is creating innovative permanent supportive housing developments in our community through projects like Quail Trail. The Quail Trail project consists of 48-units and welcomed its first tenants in 2021.
“Flora helped design the blueprint for creating sustainable solutions to ending homelessness in Fort Worth. Individuals and families in our region will benefit from the incredible impact Flora has made on our community for years to come. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor,” said Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation.
Dr. Brewer holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Public Policy from UT Arlington, and has served on the Board of Directors for Nonprofit Service Center, YWCA, Southeast Fort Worth, Inc., DRC Solutions, National Diaper Bank Network, Every Texan, and New Leaf Community Services.
The Trailblazer Award was presented to Brewer on April 21st at the Foundation’s Mission in Action event focused on housing solutions.
