Kevin Seawright Serves as Guest Panelist at Develop the Developer 2024
By Space Coast Daily // December 20, 2024
Kevin Seawright recently participated as a guest panelist and speaker at the Develop the Developer 2024 program, hosted by HomeFree USA in partnership with Freddie Mac.
The event brought together aspiring minority developers and entrepreneurs for an intensive educational program focused on community development and affordable housing.
“The opportunity to serve and advocate with up and coming minority developers/entrepreneurs is always special,” said Seawright, who shared the panel with fellow industry leaders Jonathan Moore of Rowdy Orbit and Paul Stanford from Baltimore DHCD.
Proven Track Record of Community Impact
The Develop the Developer program, which has produced 119 graduates across eight cohorts, continues to make significant strides in bridging opportunity gaps in historically underserved communities. Through its comprehensive 36-hour curriculum, the program provides essential training in financial literacy, contractor education, and guidance on accessing grants and local government funding.
The program’s success is reflected in its impressive statistics, having facilitated $123 million in new construction financing and $37.8 million in grant funding. These investments have resulted in 345 new single-family units and 558 new multifamily units, often developing previously vacant lots that had remained undeveloped for decades. This transformation of unused spaces into vibrant housing developments demonstrates the program’s commitment to sustainable community revitalization.
Expanding Opportunities Across Multiple Markets
HomeFree USA, based in Landover, Maryland, is one of several organizations offering the Develop the Developer Academy, alongside partners in Omaha, Tulsa, and Milwaukee. The program specifically focuses on supporting women and BIPOC developers, providing them with the tools and resources needed to revitalize their own communities.
The initiative’s approach to community development is particularly noteworthy for its emphasis on local involvement. By training developers who live in the neighborhoods where they work, the program helps foster stronger relationships with community stakeholders and preserves the historical and cultural attributes of each area.
Graduates of the program receive ongoing support and technical assistance to secure funding through various sources, including grants, loans, angel investors, and foundations that support minority-owned businesses. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that participants can successfully implement their development projects and contribute to sustainable community growth. The program’s recognition with the Innovations in Diversity and Inclusion Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal in 2023 further validates its impact on creating positive change in underserved communities.
