From Opportunity to Partnership: NYCHA’s CMLA Builds Another Strong Connection

When Johnny Wright and Shawn Perry joined NYCHA’s Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA) this past fall, each expected the program to provide an opportunity for their professional development. Neither, however, imagined that the program would turn an old friendship — one that went back to their childhoods — into a rich mentorship experience and then an even stronger connection and ongoing professional partnership.

Both gentlemen grew up and now work in the Bronx — Mr. Wright as Supervisor of Grounds at Parkside Houses, Mr. Perry as Supervisor of Caretakers at Mitchel Houses. Both entered this CMLA cohort with significant experience in public housing: Mr. Wright had been at NYCHA for nearly 25 years when he began the program; Mr. Perry had been with the Authority for just over 16 years. Long before that, though, when they were boys and their families lived near each other, these two formed a connection that has now stretched across multiple decades. Their CMLA pairing has added a new and vital professional dimension to what was already a long-standing connection.

“We’re from the same neighborhood!” Mr. Wright said. “And later, when we both became NYCHA supervisors, we shared that too. But the CMLA program gave us our first real chance to work together, all these years after we met as kids.”

Neither had known beforehand who their CMLA partner would be, yet their advantageous matchup quickly became a collaboration that helped both men to share ideas and their experience more openly.

For Mr. Perry, a CMLA mentee this year who stepped up to a supervisory role at NYCHA more recently, the CMLA has also provided practical tools that have reshaped his approach to management.

“It’s taught me a lot about how to lead my team best and how to speak with each individual more effectively,” Mr. Perry said. “You get better results with respect and kindness than just by claiming authority. You’re working with real people who have real lives — different ages, different situations, good days, bad days. If you listen and meet people where they are, you can do more to help and motivate them.”

Although Mr. Wright was officially cast in the mentor role in the pairing, both men describe this CMLA opportunity as a helpful chance to grow.

“I’m learning a lot too,” Mr. Wright said. “We talk things through and then go from there. We like to think over the ideas from the training together and then focus on areas where we can improve our management styles. Our roles really work hand in hand, so what one of us learns can quickly be shared and useful to the other one too . . . The CMLA program helps you become not just a better supervisor, but a better contributor — learning how to communicate with and care for people while still getting the job done safely.”

“I already considered Johnny someone I could depend on, but now it’s true both inside and outside of work,” Mr. Perry said. “This experience just made our bond even stronger.”