The HAND network is hard at work to address the growing housing affordability challenge across the Capital Region. Five Minutes With is a series highlighting these members and other stakeholders. This informal conversation delves into their recent projects, the affordable housing industry, and more. In this edition, we had the pleasure to chat with Emi Reyes, CEO of the Latino Economic Development Center and HAND Board Member. Take a look at our dialogue below to discover Emi’s commitment to community development, diverse experiences, and insights on cultivating more equitable communities in the area.

HAND: The HAND Team is excited to have you on the Board of Directors! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your past work experience?
ER: I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the HAND Team as a board member! My journey began in Washington DC, where I was born to Salvadoran immigrants. Their hard work and determination instilled in me a deep passion for entrepreneurship and community support. This drive has guided my career, culminating in my current role as the CEO of the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC).

During my time at Bennington College in Vermont, I co-founded our college’s inaugural student farm, an experience that sparked my interest in working with agricultural entrepreneurs, particularly in Central America. Following my studies, I spent five years with Chipotle Mexican Grill, where I gained valuable insights and experience while managing locations across the DMV area and Albany, NY.

In 2018, I embarked on a new chapter by joining LEDC as an intern in the small business lending department. This led me to the role of loan officer which provided me with invaluable experiences, shaping my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small businesses. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m eager to bring this rich blend of personal and professional experiences to the Board of Directors at HAND. I am committed to leveraging my background and passion to contribute to the growth and success of the organization and its mission.

HAND: Tell us about how you plan to use your experience to inform HAND’s Board of Directors and staff.
ER: Over the years, I have cultivated strategic leadership skills from my work at LEDC where we constantly navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and execute strategic initiatives to drive growth and impact in our community. Also, working with diverse stakeholders, including government entities, nonprofit organizations, and community members, has allowed me to understand how to effectively engage with various groups. I plan to employ this experience in order to create meaningful dialogue and collaboration among HAND’s stakeholders, ensuring that our initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.

HAND: What are you most looking forward to over the coming months at HAND? Are there any projects that you are particularly excited about?
ER: I am very excited about the GenerationHAND program. I believe that we have such an amazing opportunity to help bring up the next generation of community development professionals and leaders. Being able to offer our GenerationHAND Braintrust Committee’s experience to the industry’s emerging leaders is something that I am excited and proud to be able to offer.

HAND: One of the initiatives you’ll play a key role in is our GenerationHAND Braintrust Committee. What is one piece of advice you would give to professionals who are just starting out in this industry?
ER: One big piece of advice I’d give to up-and-coming professionals would be to build a diverse network that offers an array of perspectives and knowledge in a specific industry. In my experience working in the non-profit and CDFI industry, one of the most important things is that collaboration is key. Whether that is with government agencies, local organizations, community leaders, small business owners, or community residents— it is important to be connected to different areas of your field. It doesn’t only help on a personal and professional level, but it also enhances the work of the organization you are working at.

HAND: What is your “why” for working in this industry?
ER: My “why” for being a part of this industry is connected to my strong ties with my neighborhood and my commitment to ensuring that all residents benefit from community development. Growing up in DC, I’ve witnessed the progress and growth, but I’ve also seen that it hasn’t reached everyone. Many long-time residents are struggling with rising costs and limited opportunities.

I believe that true community development involves fostering an environment where all individuals can prosper. By working in this industry, we assume a pivotal role in closing these disparities by offering accessible financial resources and services to marginalized communities, enabling them to actively engage in the positive transformation and development occurring within their surroundings.

Being a part of this sector allows me to collaborate with other local organizations, community leaders, and residents to identify their specific needs and offer financial assistance or counseling to ensure they get exactly what they need. This work not only supports individual success stories but also contributes to the overall resilience and vitality of the community.

HAND: What might you be doing if you weren’t working in this space?
ER: If I weren’t working in this space, I believe my passion for the food industry would still guide my path. Growing up in a family of restaurant owners profoundly influenced my appreciation for the intricacies of the food lifecycle, from cultivation to cooking. During my time in Vermont, I worked in a restaurant and immersed myself in the kitchen environment, which I found exhilarating due to its intensity and demand for quick thinking.

I envision myself exploring opportunities that align with my love for food and the challenges of the kitchen. Whether it’s venturing into culinary entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, or culinary arts education, I am drawn to spaces that allow me to channel my full brainpower towards finding innovative solutions and contributing to the food industry in meaningful ways.

  David Bowers                      Paul Stanford 

To wrap up this year’s GenerationHAND mentorship program we interviewed one of our mentor-mentee pairings, David Bowers (Enterprise’s Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Market and Senior Advisor of the Faith-Based Development Initiative) and Paul Stanford (Director of Grants Administration at the City of Baltimore Department of Housing & Community Development). During our conversation, Paul attributed a large part in obtaining his current role to David’s mentorship. David also highlighted the value of the insights he received from Paul, which led to interesting perspectives about approaches to life and work.

HAND: Paul, congratulations on your current role as Director of Grants Administration at the City of Baltimore DHCD! Can you tell us about your journey to this point and how your mentor, David Bowers, played a role in helping you to secure your current position?
PS: Thank you. My journey in the housing field started as an AmeriCorps Member with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan during college. The exposure I received seeing the positive impact Habitat for Humanity had on the community and families they helped become first-time homeowners gave me clear direction on the career field I wanted to pursue: housing. Specifically, affordable housing.

From there, I continued to expand my career and gained experience in different areas of housing, from housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, housing policy, program development, real estate development finance and managing large local rental housing and grant programs with different localities in Virginia, District of Columbia Government, and now the City of Baltimore.

My role as  is special because I play an important role in providing and managing millions of dollars in funding for housing and community development projects that will provide affordable housing and an economic impact on much-needed areas in Baltimore and manage a team of dedicated staff members. I now work in the city where I live and bought my first home. During the interview preparation stage for the position, I reached out to my mentor David Bowers for guidance and interview prep assistance. David previously served in a leadership role within Baltimore on its Affordable Housing Trust Fund Commission and would be a great asset in helping me prepare for my interview.

During our discussions, David provided me with expert-level training on one of the main grant programs I would be responsible for under the position and how to manage a team effectively. Having these discussions with David in preparation for the interview increased my confidence during the interview process, which eventually led to an offer and my acceptance as Director of Grants Administration.

HAND: David as the vice president and Mid-Atlantic market and senior advisor of the Faith-Based Development Initiative for Enterprise Community Partners, you lead a team that provides local developers access to financing and capacity building/technical assistance. Additionally, you are engaged with local coalitions advocating for increased resources for affordable housing and community development, among many other hats that you wear. Prior to joining Enterprise, you were a program manager for a single-family housing program at the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, a financial and programs advisor at the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, and worked in the office of U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski. You have extensive experience in housing and community development, especially working in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders in Baltimore and DC. Can you tell us how your mentors have assisted you along your journey? 
DB: Professional mentors have assisted me in my journey with several critical lessons. An early lesson was to be willing to stretch beyond my comfort zone to engage in an opportunity that would expand my horizons and provide me with strategic experience and exposure.  This is how I ended up doing appropriations work during my tenure working with former U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski.  I was hesitant to take advantage of the opportunity because I didn’t think of myself as “a numbers guy” but more of a policy guy.  One of my mentors in the office essentially told me to sit down, shut up, and listen.  She then schooled me on the power of the appropriations process and how valuable it would be for me to learn that process and be in those rooms.  It was some of the best advice I have ever received.  A second lesson I was taught by a mentor was to think three moves ahead.  At one point, I was about to leave the Senator’s office to take a job that would have doubled my pay.  My mentor told me it was a nice next step.  But has counseled me to think of how it would position me for the second and third move after that.  He and I would play chess at times.  He always beat me.  Part of the reason is that he could consistently think three to four moves ahead.  I decided to stay on board and get more experience doing appropriations work.  That was a better long-term professional move for me though it required a short-term sacrifice financially.  A third lesson a mentor taught me was to always understand what I am looking to get out of an employment experience because the employer/company always knows what they are looking to get out of the employee.  Whether it is the impact I want to have via my labor or what I want for my own professional growth and development – be clear on what is in it for me.  She helped me understand the importance this plays in setting the dynamic for interaction over issues including work responsibility, pay, time and title.

HAND: Paul, why do you believe your mentor-mentee relationship with David was fruitful? Specifically, what actions or mindset did you have as a mentee that helped lead to the success of your relationship?
PS: No knock to present or past mentors in the program, but I have the best mentor. I could not have asked for a better mentor. David took the GenerationHAND mentorship program seriously by ensuring we met bi-weekly, took notes, followed up on challenges I faced, and met the entire scheduled meeting times. I respected our mentor-mentee relationship by being available and on time for scheduled meetings and being prepared to have open conversations with David.

My mentor-mentee relationship with David began before the opportunity with Baltimore. With David being previously involved with the City of Baltimore and having expert-level knowledge on one of the grant programs, I would be responsible for making me believe our mentor-mentee relationship and my current position with the City of Baltimore was meant to be.

HAND: David, what is something you took away from this program that surprised you?
DB: A pleasant surprise for me in the experience as a GenerationHAND mentor was the insights I received from my mentee. During our conversations, there were interesting exchanges where I heard interesting perspectives about approaches to life and work from a different view. A variety of factors were likely at play – being from different generations and having different life experiences.  I was surprised at how our conversations really became comfortable two-way exchanges.

HAND: Paul, what would you say to mentors and mentees considering joining the GenerationHAND mentorship program? 
PS: For those considering joining the GenerationHAND mentorship program, I would say do it. Mentors and mentees can benefit from each other and potentially create a long-term mentor-mentee relationship. Communication and setting meeting expectations are key to a successful mentor-mentee relationship.

HAND: David, why did you want to be a mentor in this program, and what advice would you give to future GenerationHAND mentors? 
DB: I was willing to be a GenerationHAND mentor because I believe strongly in giving my time, talent, and treasure to benefit others. Part of that is from a sense of religious obligation. Part of it is from a sense of moral and cultural obligation. Others have poured into me, so I am compelled to pour into others. My hope is that my insights, questions and listening ear….that the time I spent with my mentor will play some part in helping him have an even more abundantly successful career.  I believe each generation should go further than the one before–building upon prior generations’ work and lessons.  For future GenerationHAND mentors, I would suggest to be available, be open, be honest and be you.

The HAND network is hard at work to address the growing housing affordability challenge across the Capital Region. Five Minutes With is a series highlighting these members and other stakeholders. This informal conversation delves into their recent projects, the affordable housing industry, and more. In this edition, we had a conversation with Ayesha Hudson, the first loan recipient under  Equity in Action (EIA), HAND & Greystone’s debt and equity platform. Check out our dialogue below to learn about her 20+ year career, why she sought to get her project financed by the EIA, and what she believes is a “secret sauce” to creating more equitable communities in our region!

HAND: Congratulations on being the first loan recipient under HAND & Greystone’s Equity in Action program! We’ll get into that shortly, but first, can you tell us about your career journey up until this point?
AH: My career journey has been fulfilling! I am grateful to have achieved a 20+ year career in public service while simultaneously acquiring and managing investment properties. Both pursuits allowed me to impact others’ lives in very positively significant ways. When I consider my trajectory, it makes perfect sense that my path has led me to real estate development. I am motivated, through servant leadership, to create and preserve livable spaces in communities that are often overlooked. My varied career has given me a hands-on, inside look at my communities’ pain points while my empathy was groomed for action. I am looking forward to contributing more by way of quality, livable housing, and resident programming.  

HAND: Now, let’s talk about Equity in Action (EIA), a debt and equity platform designed to increase opportunities for black and brown real estate developers. Can you tell us why you sought to get your project financed by the EIA program?
AH: After engaging HAND’s membership and programming, I believed the EIA program was sincere.  Then when I met the lending team, I was convinced.  I began to see my loan application as a vehicle for positive change that would culminate with building improvements for my residents, growth of my business, and encouragement for other black and brown developers as they seek fair financing options.     

HAND: Tell us more about the project. What communities do you plan to serve, and what differentiates it from others in our region?
AH: This project is serving the beautiful Deanwood community, which has historically been underserved. I grew up within 3 miles of the building and would later respond to medical emergencies as a paramedic in this very neighborhood. While it can be a challenge to preserve housing in the lower socioeconomic areas of the District, our project fuses the business activity of real estate with a social responsibility to others. As an activated real estate development company, we are planning to add renewable resources and a more pleasing aesthetic to our block.  We are surrounded by neighborhood amenities, including public transportation and recreation making it a hidden jewel. We are looking forward to receiving some shine!  

HAND: How does it feel to be the first loan recipient under the Equity in Action program?
AH: I feel enthused, empowered, and better prepared to do this work!  My celebration, however, is tempered by the realization of the long-standing need for these kinds of lending initiatives. Once others follow, more black and brown developers can bring their full energy to the table so we may create better communities for our own communities. 

HAND: Many of us are familiar with the history of racism and its impacts on housing. Can you speak on how you approach your work in this space? How can developers of color in the real estate industry move the needle in a different direction?
AH: I approach my work in this space with a mix of empathy and realism. As I hone my development skills, I am guided by my spirituality and connectedness to the black community. Since my first investment in 1999, I have had an affinity for properties that, on first look, appear blighted. Knowing that our community yields so many hidden jewels, I am conscious of supporting it with the best intentions; financial reward has followed.  Moving any needle requires coordination and attentiveness.  As more developers of color align our skills, resources, and grit with one another, we will move the needle one project at a time. Relationship building and mentorship are integral to its success.      

HAND: Do you believe there is a “secret sauce” to addressing housing affordability and creating more equitable communities in our region? If so, what do you think that is? What do you think is the largest obstacle? –
AH: I believe the lack of housing affordability will need to be systematically dismantled through housing legislation. The laws that govern financing, tax implications, and subsidies present layers of restriction already germane in undervalued communities.  To me, the largest obstacle is fear of change.  The perceived social norms of poor people are woven into real estate development. As political decision-makers revamp laws to create more inclusivity, the housing landscape will inevitably change. 

HAND: What is your “why”? What keeps you motivated to continue your work in this space?
AH: I feel compelled to share my resources and influence in black and brown communities.  I enjoy working with people and being a part of a solution.  Being a housing provider allows me to take part in both callings. My grandfathers were involved in various real estate endeavors to include owning and operating a well-shopped convenience store in West Philly to running a farm in Waldorf, Maryland.  They imparted the importance of building a legacy, having self-reliance, and always sharing.  This opportunity to change my life and those around me is what keeps me motivated. 

HAND: If you weren’t working in this industry, what might you be doing?
AH: In my dreamt-up career, I’d be a part-time civil rights trial attorney who travels the world interviewing and writing about interesting people. 

BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations have limited access to equity building tools and resources. In partnership with Capital One, Prosperity Now is extending the Building High Impact Nonprofits of Color into the DMV area. This fund will grant $1.1 million to Prosperity Now, a national racial and economic justice nonprofit based in Washington, DC.  Prosperity Now will put the funds to immediate use to spark economic advancement and impact through empowering organizations that reflect the communities they serve. Prosperity Now will work with several organizations across the metropolitan DMV to provide leadership and capacity-building opportunities to advance their work. HAND is pleased to be participating in the cohort with the following organizations: 

• Collegiate Directions 
• Latino Economic Development Center 
• LIFT-DC
• Marshall Heights Community Development  
• My Sisters’ Place 
• Safe Sisters Circle 

Check out the official press release here.