AAREP DC

Another incredible evening of inspiration and real talk at our annual Women of Color in Real Estate Development panel! Thank you to our phenomenal speakers for sharing your journeys and insights, powerful advice on self-advocacy, work-life balance, and the importance of building a supportive community: Ayesha M. Hudson CEO A-Peace LLC Emalia Tamanikwa Director of Development EDENS Marisa Gaither Flowers, COO & EVP -Strategy Greater Washington Partnership Maria Thompson President Hoffman & Associates Carmen Romero CEO True Ground Thank you to KellyAnn Kirkpatrick and Shelynda Brown for your opening remarks and moderating. And a special thanks to Women of Color in Community Development for partnering with us again this year to create this powerful space for connection and conversation. This collaboration continues to be a highlight of our annual programming! #AAREPDCproud #WomenInRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #WomenOfColor #RealEstateDevelopment #SelfAdvocacy #WorkLifeBalance #ProfessionalCommunity

Yesterday was a day! Sworn in as a new Boardmember Events DC in the morning and privileged to be a panelist at the AAREP DC and Women of Color in Community Development annual event bring women leaders in real estate and community development together in the evening. Thankful to spend time with Shelynda Brown KellyAnn Kirkpatrick Maria Thompson Carmen Romero Emalia Tamanikwa @ayehshahudson to learn from each and share our experiences with the next generation of Leaders. Despite the challenges ahead, the future is bright. I find hope and resilience in community. Thank you.

We're thrilled to welcome Gragg Cardona Souadi as a gold sponsor of AAREP! Since 1999, this visionary development firm has been transforming the Washington, D.C., region through purpose-driven placemaking and strategic community investment. With an impressive portfolio of over 1.4 million square feet of residential and commercial space, GCS is redefining what it means to build thriving, inclusive communities. From groundbreaking projects like The Residences at Kenilworth Park—Ward 7's first affordable assisted living community—to iconic developments like the Ellington Apartments on U Street, GCS consistently proves that real estate can be a powerful tool for social impact. Their commitment to strong public-private partnerships and collaboration with local government agencies has enabled them to create spaces where people can truly live, work, and play. Transformative developments such as Fletcher Johnson at The Park and St. Elizabeth's Phases 1 and 2 showcase their dedication to building neighborhoods that foster pride, opportunity, and sustainable growth. We can't wait to see how GCS continues to make a lasting difference in our community! #AAREPDCProud #CommunityDevelopment #AffordableHousing #WashingtonDC #UrbanRenewal #SocialImpact #PurposeDrivenDevelopment?

We want to give a big thank you to one of our 2024 Bronze Sponsors, Bozzuto. Bozzuto is a diversified real estate company celebrated for their developments, construction, property management, and homebuilding. As a generationally-owned, independently-operated family business, they challenge themselves daily to continue building a rich family culture as passionate, inspiring, and vibrant as the communities they serve.? We’re honored to have Bozzuto’s support as we continue to empower Black real estate professionals and build stronger, more inclusive communities. ?#AAREPDCproud?#Bozzuto?#BronzeSponsor?#CommunityEmpowerment?#RealEstateLeadership

Last night I got the opportunity to attend the Women of Color in Real Estate Development panel hosted by Women of Color in Community Development and AAREP DC. It was really great to hear the experiences sand advice from all the amazing panelists. Specifically the amazing advice on how to advocate for yourself in your career. “Be clear about what you want, engage with those people, and be open to the possibilities “ - Marisa Gaither Flowers As someone who is still in the pioneer stage of her career, the information and stories that were shared were very insightful and encouraging. I look forward to continue learning, growing, and networking from these incredible women and these two amazing organizations. Thank you all for putting on a great event and I so look forward to the next!

Last night I got the opportunity to attend the Women of Color in Real Estate Development panel hosted by Women of Color in Community Development and AAREP DC. It was really great to hear the experiences and advice from all the amazing panelists. I also had the chance to chat with Marisa Gaither Flowers as well! As someone who is just starting out in the real estate industry, the information and stories that were shared were very insightful and encouraging and I look forward to continue learning, growing, and networking throughout my career. Thank you both for putting on a great event and I so look forward to the next! #womeninrealestate #aarepdc #wccd

#TBT Networking isn’t about how many events you attend or business cards you collect—it’s about building and sustaining relationships that make a lasting impact. As VP, Relationship Manager, CRE Lending at Capital Bank, N.A. I know firsthand how valuable these connections are. AAREP DC does an incredible job of bringing together like-minded professionals, creating a space to connect, collaborate, and cultivate relationships that truly matter. One of my favorite events each year is the annual gala, where we celebrate standout deals and honor the accomplishments of leaders in our community. It’s inspiring to recognize those who are shaping the future of real estate. As 2024 winds down, I’m feeling energized for 2025 and excited to see—and celebrate—the next wave of power players and deal makers (counting myself in ??)! #aarepdcproud #galaseason

Beautiful evening at this year's AAREP DC gala with the #SmootDC Team! Smoot Construction Company of Washington DC

Thank you, African American Real Estate Professionals of DC, for a fabulous night celebrating African Americans in the commercial real estate industry. As a former President and board member, I am incredibly proud of the amazing leadership who has elevated this organization to a profound organization dedicated to ensuring the success of black real estate professionals nationally. Cheers to all who made that night a true success!