15 Entrepreneurs of Color Poised to Transform Cleveland’s Development Landscape
Cleveland – September 25, 2024 – A new group of 15 entrepreneurs is poised to help make sure the racial makeup of real estate developers reflects the Cleveland neighborhoods they work in.
The Cleveland Equitable Development Initiative (CLE-EDI) is empowering minority real estate developers to spark economic growth and bring community-focused development to the forefront. By cultivating local talent, CLE-EDI aims to reshape the city’s future from the inside out.
Launched in fall 2023, CLE-EDI has already made movement. Its first cohort of 15 developers completed the program this spring, each one paired with a seasoned mentor to fast-track their projects with continuous and ongoing support. Now, a new group of entrepreneurs is joining the effort, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. They will come together for the first time Wednesday, Sept. 25, at a 5:30 event at Electric Gardens, 425 Literary Road, Cleveland.
“We were excited to have great interest from applicants for the second round of this program,” said Yvette Ittu, president and CEO of Cleveland Development Advisors. “These new program members have an inspiring mix of backgrounds and interests, and we believe they will play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Cleveland and its surrounding area.”
As with the first class, the new cohort members will be paired with experienced developer mentors to assist in the progression and execution of their projects.
The initiative is a joint effort by Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA), which provides expertise and financing to real estate projects that advance economic and community development; Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, a local community development intermediary that invests in community revitalization work in Greater Cleveland; and Capital Impact Partners, a mission-driven nonprofit lender based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Led by William Willis, Senior Director of Development Services at CDA, CLE-EDI is positioning this new class of innovators to not just participate, but to lead the charge in Cleveland’s revitalization. “This cohort’s diversity will fuel groundbreaking projects that reflect the true spirit of our city,” said Willis.
New program participants include:
- Akin Affrica, a lifelong Clevelander who purchased his first investment property 32 years ago. Since then he has closed on well over 400+ real estate projects. He is currently renovating 12 townhomes, 1 single family home, 1 mixed-use property and 2 new construction residential properties. His goal for 2025 is to complete 8-12 residential new construction properties and redevelop a commercial property into a food hall for at least a dozen entrepreneurs. He is also a restaurateur with 8 current restaurants.
- Jenice Contreras, President and CEO of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, overseeing the NEO Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Her work includes CentroVilla25 project, a $12 million adaptive reuse initiative that is set to turn a warehouse into a thriving community asset in Clark-Fulton. She has served on several key boards in Greater Cleveland and is a member of the City of Cleveland’s Planning Commission’s Near West Design Review Committee.
- Stephen Davis, an experienced affordable housing development professional with over 10 years of development experience in both the public and private sectors. Stephen has held key roles as a project coordinator, project manager, senior development, and HUD Choice Grant administrator. In 2022, he co-founded Pantheon Innovative Builders, focusing on affordable housing development, 3D-Printed Construction, and workforce development and training.
- Kevinee Gilmore, a company founder and CEO. She created #FosterCare, a nonprofit that engages celebrities, brands and elected officials (including DMC, Shawn Carter Foundation, Paris Hilton, SZA and President Joe Biden) in the plights of foster youth. She is the former child welfare strategist to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. As a former foster youth, she was the creative behind the $2.3 million dollar donation that affords current foster youth a free education attending Cleveland State University.
- Briget Grant, a 15-year serial entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in the medical field. Most recently, she launched the Ryte 2 Development Corp., an all minority, all female led commercial and real estate development initiative including consultancy in Cleveland. Through Ryte 2, she is leading the Glen H.A.V.E.N (Harvesting Affordable Value Enriched Neighborhoods) project, a mixed-use development in Cleveland’s Glenville community that will service residents with mental health diagnosis, dual diagnosis and other disabilities.
- Naji H. Kelley, founding principal of NHK Companies, a minority and veteran-owned real estate investment and development firm focused on transforming communities through responsible development and asset stewardship. He has an extensive background in media and communications, logistics, information technology and business development. He is an active NAIOP Northern Ohio member serving on their Government Affairs Committee.
- Tracey Kirksey, Center Director of the Rose Centers for Aging Well, an affiliate of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. She has purchased, renovated, managed or sold properties in Washington, D.C.; Cleveland; and Richmond,VA. After returning to her hometown of Cleveland, her real estate work includes helping families build custom market homes in Hough, market rate new construction in Glenville, historic renovations, single family and senior housing, and retail and commercial developments.
- Cecil Lipscomb, Executive Director of the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland. He has been on the board for a number of area non-profits, including The Center for Community Solutions and Eliza Bryant Village. Previously he Senior Director of Institutes at Cleveland Clinic and worked as Director of Fundraising for Case Western Reserve University’s School of Engineering.
- Gary Martin, who in the past year started a company that buys and operates residential property management firms in the Midwest. Prior to that, he worked in equity research and mergers and acquisitions for First Brands Group, Lincoln Electric and Northcoast Research.
- Ishmael Martin, with 19 years as real estate developer and the founder of Martin Premier Homes. He has developed, completed and sold homes in Cleveland, Maple Heights, South Euclid and Shaker Heights.
- Michael S. Mendoza, an associate broker at FASS Real Estate Services, specializes in helping business professionals and investors buy, sell, lease and manage commercial and residential real estate. Prior to joining FASS, he spent more than 12 years as a Cleveland Clinic Administrator, managing hospital operations and physician practices. His Clinic real estate work included oversight o building several surgery centers and leasing medical office space for physician practices.
- Brandon Moore, who has worked in construction management and as a project manager with Marous Brothers on Cleveland area projects including apartment buildings, corporate headquarters, office renovations as well as projects like the new Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters Building and many of the new CMSD schools.
- Alex Quinones, a real estate investor and developer with 18 years of experience managing contractors and renovation crews on Cleveland project. He strives to demonstrate the highest level of integrity and commitment, and to bring a little fun into every real estate transaction and development. Quinones is a member of the National Construction Coalition for Hispanics.
- Carnisha Rodgers who, since relocating to Cleveland in 2020, has developed a profound interest in community development and revitalization. She has 25 years of experience in management and accounting, and is eager to continue contributing to Cleveland’s growth and renewal.
- Ceyon Swoope, who has worked in the real estate industry for 25 years, including as a loan officer and Real Estate agent. He found his niche in rehabbing and flipping properties in Northeast Ohio and abroad. Ceyon wants to make housing more affordable, green and sustainable while maintaining functionality and neighborhood aesthetic.
With the program set to begin in October, CLE-EDI continues to evolve, expanding its network of developer mentors committed to guiding these rising visionaries. The full mentor list is available [here].
- Tom Charek, Welty Development
- Michael Panzica, M Panzica Development
- Andrew Iarussi, RHM Real Estate Group
- Josh Rosen, Sustainable Community Associates
- Arne Goldman, Marous Brothers Construction, Inc.
- James Sosan, JOS Construction LLC.
- Ray Nix, Nix Development Company
- Ali Semir, Mosaic Affordable Housing
- Alvin Johnson, Multifamily Monopoly
- Nadine Ngouabe Dlodlo, Women’s Home Preservation
“Cleveland’s development landscape is evolving—and these entrepreneurs are making sure the change starts now,” Willis said.