Meet Our Founders
Alisha Allen DeBerry
MBA — Founder
Alisha is a licensed real estate broker-in-charge, educator, and community advocate with a heart for expanding access to housing and economic opportunity. She leads Pathways Forward's strategic planning, programs, and partnerships. A recipient of the NCREEA 2025 Educator of the Year award, Alisha also holds the Distinguished Real Estate Instructor (DREI) and Gold Standard Instructor (GSI) designations and serves on the NC REALTORS® Board of Directors.
Darrell DeBerry
Co-Founder
Darrell brings a hands-on, community-first approach to everything he does. As Co-Founder, he leads outreach, partnership development, and housing education initiatives — walking alongside families as they navigate the homeownership journey with confidence and clarity
WHY PATHWAYS FORWARD WAS CREATED
Pathways Forward was created from a simple belief: strong communities are built when people have access to trusted education, clear guidance, and real opportunities.
Too often, families face major housing, financial, and career decisions without the knowledge, preparation, or support needed to create long-term success. The result is preventable setbacks that impact not just individuals—but entire families and communities for generations.
We recognized that many of these challenges begin long before eviction, foreclosure, or financial crisis. They begin with information gaps, limited access, and the absence of clear pathways forward.
Pathways Forward exists to close that gap.
Our work is rooted in prevention, education, and empowerment—helping people make informed decisions before crisis happens.
About Us
Pathways Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating long-term community stability through housing education, financial literacy, youth leadership development, and economic empowerment.
We are intentionally education-based and non-transactional, focused on prevention rather than crisis response.
Our programs help individuals and families understand housing decisions, improve financial confidence, prepare for homeownership, explore career pathways, and access trusted community resources that support long-term success.
By combining strategic partnerships, practical education, and community-centered solutions, we help build stronger individuals, stronger families, and stronger communities.
OUR VISION
We envision thriving communities where individuals and families are informed, prepared, and empowered to make confident housing, financial, and career decisions that create stability, generational wealth, and lasting economic mobility.
We believe access to education, opportunity, and trusted resources should create pathways—not barriers—to success.
Our vision is not simply homeownership—it is sustainable community impact.
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It is families building wealth.
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It is youth building futures.
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It is communities building strength that lasts for generations.
A Community
Prepared & Empowered
"A society where individuals and communities are informed, prepared, and confident in making housing and financial decisions that strengthen stability, opportunity, and community well-being."
We envision a future where no family loses a home for lack of knowledge, where every young person understands the path to ownership, and where communities are strengthened through education delivered at every stage of the housing journey.
🔑 Informed Access
Every individual equipped with knowledge before making housing decisions.
📈 Financial Stability
Families building long-term economic resilience through financial education.
🤝 Community Strength
Neighborhoods thriving when residents are prepared, confident, and connected.
🌐 Equitable Reach
In-person and virtual programming — because geography should never limit access.