On June 25, 2021, HAND celebrated its 30th anniversary with an immersive virtual experience designed to inspire, create space for ideation, and strengthen the relationships that are vital to the creation of equitable communities. Check out the recap below to hear reflections on the organization’s past three decades, perspectives from industry thought leaders and powerful insights from our 2021 Housing Achievement Award Winner slate.

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The history of our nation is tainted with smears of systemic racism and discrimination from the very first steps of settlers onto American land. In 1619, a ship carrying the first enslaved Africans arrived at Point Comfort in Virginia. Just 15 years later, colonizers would make contact with Piscataway Conoy – the largest and most powerful tribal nation in our region, with a footprint that extended across DC, Maryland, Virginia and even further into the Mid-Atlantic. The dark days that followed laid the foundation for systems, policies, and programs that are still with us to this very day. HAND is standing firm in its commitment to centering equity, and as we recognize the milestone of 30 years, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that we have been battling the same challenges for hundreds of years. Still here in celebration. Still here in challenge. We remain dedicated to working alongside you to address the root causes that amplify housing disparities and restrict access to opportunity for communities of color. We celebrate, but we also say their names. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Piscataway Conoy. And so many others. THANK YOU to all of our speakers, sponsors, members, partners and guests who attended this year’s Annual Meeting & Housing Expo. We truly appreciate your commitment to creating a more just and equitable region. Check out the recap below to hear reflections on the past three decades, perspectives from industry thought leaders and insights from our award winners.

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Expo Hall and Social Lounge Open

9:05 AM – 9:40 AM        
Honoring Native Land | Piscataway Conoy                       

Three Decades of Reflection | HAND Leadership 

HAND leadership reflects on the organization’s 30-year journey.

Speakers

Jill Norcross Former Executive Director, HAND	Heather Raspberry Executive Director HAND	John Spencer Founder HAND

9:40 AM – 2:00 PM
IGNITE TALKS

Ignite Talk Correspondents
Also known as the “griots” or storytellers for the day, Gaskins and Andere provided key context for each Ignite Talk and offered insightful analysis on each dialogue. 

Alyia Gaskins Founder and CEO CitiesRX, LLC	Amanda Andere CEO  Funders Together to  End Homelessness

Equity In Action | Removing the Barriers, Unlocking Access for Black & Brown Developers
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Even in the midst of the growing housing affordability challenge, black and brown real estate developers are still met with the obstacle of accessing the capital needed to execute their plans to revitalize communities. Confronting the idea of “a seat at the table,” this moderated dialogue featured leaders in finance and real estate development who spoke candidly about these difficulties and solutions to drive more equitable outcomes for HAND members and other stakeholders.

Speakers

Catherine Buell Head of Community Development Amazon in the Community	Ellis Carr President & CEO Capital Impact Partners	Brett Macleod Executive Director JPMorgan Chase (Moderator)	Steve Rosenberg CEO & Founder Greystone	Ernst Valery Co-Managing Member SAA | EVI	Adrian Washington CEO & Founder Neighborhood Development Company

Putting the Community Back in Community Development
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Warning: This video features explicit language.

The GateBridge Community represents an innovative approach to mixed-income, mixed-use affordable housing – one that centers placemaking, closing the racial wealth gap, and building more diverse, inclusive, and equitable economies. This captivating discussion examined the GateBridge model from the perspectives of its founder Professor Anthony Cook and the development, philanthropic, and investor partners needed to bring it to fruition.

Speakers

Mustafa Abdul- Salaam  Managing Partner Community Economic Development Partners	Anthony Cook Professor of Law Georgetown University (Moderator)	Vance Gragg  Partner Gragg Cardona Partners	Dan Tangherlini Managing Director Emerson Collective	Ed Delany Senior Director  Senior Capital Officer Community Finance Capital One

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The deliberate devaluation of communities of color has had very real, far-reaching, and negative economic and social effects. There is a longstanding myth claiming that brutal conditions in Black communities are mainly the result of Black people’s collective choices and moral failings. Dr. Andre Perry’s publication, Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities, takes readers on a tour of six Black-majority cities whose assets and strengths are undervalued. This exciting and informative dialogue explored his findings and what this means for our industry.

Speakers

Dr. Andre Perry Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities	Monica Warren-Jones President, HAND Director, Capital Solutions, Enterprise	Susan Dewey Chief Executive Officer Virginia Housing

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Expo Hall & Social Lounge

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Presentation of Housing Achievement Awards & Children’s Essay Contest

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Roderick Hirsch Mortgage Area Sales Manager PNC Bank	Derrick Perkins SVP & Market Executive Bank of America

Have you discovered your WHY?
President’s Choice Awardee Angie Rodgers shares her why.

Speakers

Heather Raspberry Executive Director HAND	John Spencer Founder HAND	Monica Warren-Jones President, HAND Director, Capital Solutions, Enterprise

Nina Janopaul	Pam Mitchell	Craig Pascal	Brian Tracey