Norfolk, VA. (Thursday, July 2, 2026) – Community Relations Manager Corey Brooks represented Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) in Denver recently, alongside the City of Norfolk and other community leaders, to accept a National Civic League (NCL) 2026 All-America City award. Norfolk was among 20 finalists – and ultimately selected as 1 of 10 winners.
The All-America City Award honors communities that demonstrate civic engagement, collaboration and innovation in addressing local challenges. It’s the third time Norfolk has been named to NCL’s prestigious list, having previously won in 2013 and 2016.
Brooks said the Authority’s collaboration with several partners was key to Norfolk’s success.
“We work with all three components of the outreach highlighted by the NCL,” Brooks explained. “The People First side tied to the St. Paul’s Transformation Project, Community 1st, which focuses on crime prevention, and NeighborCare with the dedication to bringing resources directly into neighborhoods and offering social support, healthcare and more.”
The city’s application and award-winning presentation emphasized a coordinated approach built around the three groups – People First, Community 1st and NeighborCare. The team coordinated a mock city council skit that emphasized each organization’s pillars as a way to focus on their significance, as well as how they collaborate with each other, residents, private partners and city organizations.
At the heart of Norfolk’s approach is a simple idea – meet residents where they are, leaders said.
“We bring the resources directly into the community,” said Brooks, highlighting his partnership with Kendrick Nowling in the city’s Department of Military & Community Affairs. “Transportation can be a barrier, so these resource fairs, and other services we provide, remove that and helps build stronger relationships between residents and the different agencies.”
For those who traveled to Denver to present Norfolk’s story, the win represented more than recognition – it was validation. City staff, residents and community leaders, which included a team of about 30, collaborated on the presentation, which showcased Norfolk’s story through both data and lived experiences.
“It felt like the work is not in vain,” said Clayton Marquez, co-director of Community 1st. “Just to be a part of something great and know it’s helping the community – one step at a time.
“We walk the family communities every day – mornings at bus stops, evenings when kids get off the bus – just making sure people feel safe. We do cleanups, host events, hand out food, help seniors carry groceries – whatever the community needs.”
According to data cited by Marquez during Norfolk’s presentation, the results are measurable. Neighborhoods served by Community 1st have seen significant reductions in violence.
“In the communities that we work in, there’s been about a 70% decrease in violence,” he said. “And Norfolk recorded its lowest crime rate in forty-plus years in 2025.”
Brooks said the process also created new opportunities for collaboration and learning.
“We had the chance to sit at the table with other city departments, coordinate ideas and bring back innovative approaches that have worked elsewhere,” Brooks said.
Despite Norfolk’s All-America City designation reflecting progress, leaders emphasize the work is ongoing and reinforces a continued commitment to tackling challenges like public safety, housing stability and economic mobility.
“It takes all of us,” Marquez said. “No part is greater than another. We’re all moving parts working together to make the community better.”
For more information about this story, dcuenca@nrha.us.
About Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority: Founded in 1940, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is Virginia’s largest redevelopment and housing authority and a nationwide leader in real estate development and property management. With its annual capital and operating budget, NRHA continually works with Norfolk residents to renew and revitalize the city. For the latest information about NRHA, visit our website at https://nrha.us.