Our Team

Meleny Thomas, PhD, serves as the Executive Director (Development Without Displacement Director) of the South Baltimore Community Land Trust. She has dedicated over 18 years of service to youth and families and building community-based organizations. Meleny is a firm advocate for equitable development and remains committed to championing marginalized communities, like the one in which she resides.

In her role, she oversees both the management of the Development Team and fundraising aspects of various construction projects. These projects are geared towards creating permanently affordable housing options for members of the community, with a focus on those whose income falls within 80% of the Area Median Income. Central to her philosophy is the unshakable belief that regardless of one’s geographical location, access to fundamental human rights should be a universal entitlement.

Dr. Thomas played a pivotal role in the formation of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) in Baltimore City. This crucial fund stands as a fundamental source of financial support for development initiatives in Baltimore aimed at aiding individuals with incomes at or below 50% of the Area Median Income. Through the dedicated efforts of the SBCLT Team, their impactful work garnered recognition in 2022 when they were honored as a Game Changer by Baltimore Magazine, Community Advocate of the Year by Neighborhood Design Center 2024 and recognized by the Baltimore Business Journal as a 40 under 40 Awardee in 2024.

Continuing to forge ahead, Meleny and her team remain steadfast in their pursuit of creating permanently affordable housing options. Simultaneously, they are actively engaged in facilitating a just transition towards Zero Waste infrastructure development. Dr. Thomas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration.