Chester artist Devon Walls is trying to bring change to the heart of Chester by expanding his skills to include real-estate investor, writes Cherri Gregg for CBS Philly.

Infamous for its high crime rate and poverty, Chester has struggled in recent years, but Walls is trying to turn this around. After travelling the world as a successful artist, he is now using his money to invest in his hometown of Chester.

“I feel that I am one of the people who can come back and make change,” said Walls, “but you can’t change the community without owning the land.”

One of his many properties is the MJ Freed Theater on the Avenue of the States. There, he holds art performance workshops and other events aimed at bringing back the sense of community. This has drawn in local artists, and new businesses have followed suit by opening up in the downtown area.

“The change is bigger than me,” said Walls. “I believe that if we all stay and we all build — the community will change.”

Read more about Devon Walls at CBS Philly by clicking here.