Empowering Diverse Developers to Lead Revitalization Efforts
In an effort to better ensure that real estate developers truly reflect their city’s diversity and that diverse real estate developers are able to participate in growth and revitalization efforts, we have launched the Equitable Development Initiative. Charting a new path toward inclusive economic opportunity, this program combines our local knowledge, partnerships, and key strengths – including program design and project financing – to support diverse developers to grow their careers and support communities.
Applications Now Open – Apply by July 10th!
2024 Atlanta Equitable Development Initiative
If you are a diverse real estate developer in the Atlanta area creating affordable housing, apply to join the 2024 Atlanta Equitable Development Initiative!
Benefit from free training, mentorship, networking, and pathways to financing.
*Eligibility criteria can be found in the application form.
Questions About the Atlanta EDI Application?
Questions About the Atlanta EDI Application?
Watch our recorded webinar to learn more about our program, application process, and requirements.
Watch Recorded Webinar
Passcode: na%N!q0x
Training
Program participants engage in formal real estate development training, workshops with local development experts and city leaders, and discussions around challenges and opportunities for diverse developers in metropolitan regions.
Mentorship
Participants receive one-on-one support from both a developer mentor and a finance mentor. These local experts provide project-specific guidance to further participants’ real estate development efforts.
Financing
Capital Impact will work with program participants to connect them to project financing options, leveraging the tools they’ve gained to strengthen their financing applications.
Upcoming Application Opportunities
Atlanta EDI - Open June 10th
If you’re interested in applying for our Atlanta EDI, please check back on June 10 at 12:00 p.m. EST for the application and more details.
DMV EDI - Open Fall 2025
If you’re interested in applying for DMV EDI, please check back in Fall 2025 for more details.
Interested in Participating in EDI?
Fill out our inquiry form to receive updates on our upcoming EDI cohorts.
Equitable Development Initiative Eligibility Criteria
Candidates are selected based on the following eligibility criteria guidelines:
- Demonstrated barriers to accessing capital, including limitations to balance sheet capacity, and the resources required to advance affordable housing projects that benefit their communities
- Able to illustrate how barriers to accessing critical industry networks have restricted or limited accelerated personal and professional growth
- Demonstrated need for specialized real estate, financial, technical, and enterprise management training to scale their businesses
- Live in or near the primary metropolitan area of the program, and have a strong connection to the city in which they are working
- Demonstrate a commitment to inclusive growth and actively participating in that effort in the applicant’s city
- Be able to commit to in-class training sessions on a weekly basis for up to six (6) hours per week during the cohort period
- Be interested in responding to requests for proposals for real estate development opportunities with or without a development partner in the next 1-2 years
Questions?
Jeffrey Mosley, Director, National Diverse Developers
DiverseDeveloper_Inquiry@capitalimpact.org | 703-647-2394
If you have questions about one of our Equitable Development Initiatives, please contact the respective program lead:
Bay Area Program
Caitlin Keane, Equitable Development Manager
ckeane@capitalimpact.org | 703-647-2389
Detroit & Cleveland Programs
Rieanna Stewart, Detroit Training Manager
rstewart@capitalimpact.org | 703-215-7849
DMV (Washington Metro Area) Program
Melissa Stallings, Director, DMV Initiatives
mstallings@capitalimpact.org | 703-967-3615
Dallas Program
Aaron Gougis, Dallas Initiatives Manager
agougis@capitalimpact.org | 703-647-2326
Atlanta Program
Tommy Lester, Manager, Atlanta Initiatives
tlester@capitalimpact.org | 571-560-1364
Meet Our EDI Program Participants
Equitable Development Program participants represent a diverse group of individuals with a range of backgrounds and experience. We invite you to learn more about them by downloading the
fact sheets below.
OUR PARTNERS
We would like to thank our partners at JPMorgan Chase and the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation for their generous support of the Equitable Development Initiative and our broader efforts to create a more inclusive economic opportunities in Detroit and Washington, D.C.
Returning Detroit to Greatness
When Richard Hosey returned to his hometown in 2008, the economic downturn had completely changed the city he remembered. With help from Capital Impact, the Detroit native has focused his efforts on returning the city to its former greatness through projects that foster inclusive growth for all residents.
Learning New Skills to Shape Their Future
The EDI program provides key skills to promising individuals representing a broad spectrum of community development expertise. Follow along as we take a deep dive with three participants to learn more about their backgrounds and their future plans.
Building Community in Washington, D.C.
When Thomas Houston and Talayah Jackson had the vision to turn a vacant lot in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7 into affordable housing, office space for entrepreneurs, and a locally owned grocery store, they used their skills from the EDI program – and financing from Capital Impact – to get their project off the ground.
