Community Networking as an Investor

[Account Closed]

I am about to buy my second property (a commercial mixed use space) in the neighborhood I invest in.  It's mostly a blue-collar area, but in the beginning stages of being touched by gentrification.  As a female investor who has worked in nonprofits and community organizing for most of my adult life-- and hopes to start a brick & mortar business in this next project, I am doing my best to make sure that the moves that I make are working to revitalize the area in a way that is equitably beneficial for me and for all of the longer-term residents and business owners in this pocket.

Other than volunteering and partnering up with local organizations, I wonder if anybody has any creative and viable solutions to effectively engage with and become a part of the community.  I'm also interested in hearing/ reading any stories (successes and failures) about investor interactions with preexisting communities.  What not to do is just as important as what to do!