CEO & Co-Founder

Dr. Troy Nash

"I know what it feels like to wonder if you'll have a roof over your head tomorrow. That's why I've dedicated my life to making sure others never have to feel that fear."

"I remember the smell of those hallways. The broken elevators. The way adults would lower their voices when they talked about money. I promised myself that if I ever got out, I'd spend my life making sure other families had a real path forward."

"Not College Material"

As part of Kansas City's famous desegregation experiment, young Troy was bused from the inner city to predominantly white schools in neighboring Independence, Missouri—the hometown of President Harry Truman.

The academic assessments came back with a verdict that would have crushed most kids: "At-risk." "Not college material."

The counselors saw a poor Black kid from the projects and made their assumptions. They didn't see potential—they saw statistics.

But Troy refused to accept someone else's verdict on his life.

The Classroom That Changed a Family

When Troy returned to Kansas City at age 25, his first mission wasn't his own career—it was his family.

He converted his mother's small house into a classroom. He bought used textbooks from thrift stores. And he began tutoring his three older brothers—grown men who had never imagined college was for people like them. All three enrolled in college for the first time.

His mother earned her GED at 55 and enrolled in college herself. When she passed away on March 15, 2003, she was a junior in college. UMKC posthumously awarded her a Bachelor's degree.

A Life of Service

In 2014, Dr. Nash made history by becoming the first African American executive to become a partner in a top-ten commercial real estate firm in Missouri's history. This achievement shattered a glass ceiling that had stood since Missouri became the 24th state in 1821 —a barrier of 193 years.

CEO & Co-Founder

Dr. Troy Nash

"I know what it feels like to wonder if you'll have a roof over your head tomorrow. That's why I've dedicated my life to making sure others never have to feel that fear."

A Child of Public Housing

Troy Nash didn't learn about affordable housing from textbooks. He learned it from living it.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Troy grew up in poverty with his single mother and three older brothers. The family bounced between public housing projects—Holy Temple Homes and Friendship Village Apartments—never quite sure how long they'd stay in one place. Government assistance wasn't an abstract policy debate; it was the difference between eating and going hungry, between having heat in the winter and shivering under blankets.

His mother worked tirelessly, but the system wasn't designed to help families like theirs climb out. The projects were meant to be temporary—a hand up while you got on your feet. But for too many families, temporary became permanent, and hope slowly faded into acceptance.

"Not College Material"

As part of Kansas City's famous desegregation experiment, young Troy was bused from the inner city to predominantly white schools in neighboring Independence, Missouri—the hometown of President Harry Truman. He attended Korte Elementary School and Nowlin Middle School, where he was one of the few Black faces in a sea of white.

The academic assessments came back with a verdict that would have crushed most kids: "At-risk." "Not college material."

The counselors saw a poor Black kid from the projects and made their assumptions. They didn't see potential—they saw statistics. They didn't see a future leader—they saw another young man destined for the margins of society.

But Troy refused to accept someone else's verdict on his life.

The United States Air Force

As a teenager on the verge of dropping out of high school—surrounded by drugs, crime, and violence—Troy discovered the United States Air Force. It wasn't an easy choice; it was the only choice that offered a way out.

Stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, something remarkable happened. At just 20 years old, Troy was selected as Dorm Chief of Honor Flight 048 —responsible for the direct supervision of 50 airmen. The kid who wasn't "college material" was now leading men.

When the Gulf War erupted, Troy participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and Good Conduct Medal before receiving an honorable discharge.

The Classroom That Changed a Family

When Troy returned to Kansas City at age 25, his first mission wasn't his own career—it was his family.

He converted his mother's small house into a classroom. He bought used textbooks from thrift stores. And he began tutoring his three older brothers—grown men who had never imagined college was for people like them.

All three enrolled in college for the first time.

But his mother wasn't left out. At 55 years old, with Troy's support, she studied for and earned her GED. Then she enrolled in college herself—the woman who had spent her whole life working low-wage jobs to keep her boys fed was finally getting her chance.

When she passed away on March 15, 2003, she was a junior in college. The University of Missouri-Kansas City posthumously awarded her a Bachelor's degree. Troy accepted that degree on her behalf—a moment of triumph and heartbreak that would forever define his life's work.

Why Affordable Housing?

For Troy, housing isn't just a policy issue—it's personal.

He knows what it's like to live in a place where the walls are thin and the heat doesn't always work. He knows what it's like when your address determines your school, your safety, and your future. He knows that housing is the foundation upon which everything else is built —education, employment, health, family stability.

When you don't have stable housing, you can't focus on school. You can't keep a job. You can't build wealth. You can't break the cycle.

That's why Troy has dedicated his career to creating housing that doesn't just provide shelter—it provides dignity, stability, and opportunity. Housing that says to families: "You belong here. You matter. And you have a future."

Nine Degrees. One Mission.

The kid who was "not college material" didn't just go to college—he made education his life's work. Each degree is a tool in the fight for community transformation.

A Life of Service

Breaking Barriers Since 1821

Building The Nash Group

Today, Dr. Nash leads The Nash Group alongside his daughter Arielle—turning his personal journey into a family mission. Together, they've developed 254+ units of affordable housing with over $100 million in total development costs.

But for Troy, the numbers are never just numbers. Behind every unit is a family. Behind every development is a neighborhood that deserves dignity. Behind every project is the memory of a little boy in public housing who promised himself he'd make a difference.

"I'm not building buildings. I'm building futures."

Connect with Dr. Nash

Speaking engagements, partnership opportunities, and development inquiries welcome.