EDAP Inaugural Cohort

In March, the inaugural cohort for the Emerging Developers Accelerator Program (EDAP) held their graduation. The first class is made up of 9 emerging developers: Freweini Alemayoh, Moses Realty LLC; D’Juan Armstead, Tag Construction; Matthew Drane, Drane Property Group LLC; Muhammad Gadari, Go Freight Inc; Gamal Harding, Dream Living LLC; Sheryl Marrero, Savkon Construction; Aaron McDaniel, Blueprint Development Company; Letha Pugh, AWL Holding LLC; and Stacia Williams, Pillar Properties LLC.

I am proud of this inaugural graduation class. They have already started making an impact on affordable housing in Central Ohio. Many are already utilizing AHT loans for development of affordable housing in Columbus and Franklin County. To date, four members of the inaugural cohort have leveraged $98,175 in soft loans utilizing Franklin County dollars, and $1,227,300 in loans from AHT to create or preserve 19 affordable units. 

They are a group of individuals who bring a wide range of experiences, they have proved their dedication to the program and have wasted no time putting the knowledge they gained into action to help solve Central Ohio’s housing crisis. I cannot wait to see what other projects will come to fruition from this group!

It has been my privilege to serve as the President and CEO of the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County since August of 2021. In that time, AHT has accomplished a lot but one of the things I am most proud of is the creation of the Emerging Developers Accelerator Program. I believe this program will change the landscape of our city. It can bring along more developers. It can put a dent in the racial wealth gap. It can get us more housing at a time when every unit matters.

I want to thank the many advocates and supporters who have helped to make this program a reality. I am thankful to our partners JP Morgan Chase, the City of Columbus and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners who have championed this program and helped make it a reality. I am especially grateful to our EDAP Director, Tyneisha Harden. Tyneisha arrived at AHT and hit the ground running. She continues to exceed expectations and this program would not be the success it is without her. I would be remiss if I did not include my congratulations to her on recently being named one of Columbus Business First's 40 under 40 honorees. I am so fortunate to have Tyneisha on my team.