Fifteen impact-oriented developers selected to participate in inaugural cohort

(left to right - first row): 

Jasmond Anderson, JASZ Studio; Jay Taylor, Juxta Developments; Brandon Ward, Bidgigz LLC; Ferrell Fellows, Kingdom Legacy Development Company; Jason Brown, Dallas City Homes; Maggie Parker, Innovan Neighborhoods; Olga Lopez, CIMA Holding Group; Patrice Jefferson, SDMC Investments, LLC; Simeon Henderson, Innovan Neighborhoods

 

(left to right - second row/stairs):

Scottie  Smith, II, Shekinah Legacy Holdings; Annie Evans, SouthFair Community Development Corporation; Queenetra Andrews, Andrews Development & Holdings LLC; James Armstrong, III, Builders of Hope Development Corporation; Valerie Ballard, Operation Tiny House; Demont Campbell, Urban Nest Development; Jordan D'Silva, Web City Properties; Marc Henderson, Exodus Development Group

Innovan Neighborhoods is pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of the Community Developers Roundtable (CDR). Launched by Maggie Parker of Innovan Neighborhoods, the CDR addresses gaps in the community development ecosystem by offering a long-term, developer-led structure with ongoing feedback and accountability to community-oriented development projects. Fifteen community-oriented real estate developers were selected to participate in the program, which includes a projected $1 million dedicated pre-development fund, staff capacity stipends, and financial resources for technical assistance, including professional coaching and project feasibility studies. The program is in collaboration with BCL of Texas with funding support from JP Morgan Chase. Other funders include Tolleson Wealth Management, Bank of Texas, Communities Foundation of Texas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Charles Schwab, Muse Family Foundation, the State Fair of Texas, and Comerica Bank. 

 

The CDR will serve as a collective learning, networking, and funding opportunity for existing diverse nonprofit and for-profit community-oriented real estate developers. The members of the inaugural cohort are:


  • Jasmond Anderson, JASZ Studio
  • Queenetra Andrews, Andrews Development & Holdings LLC
  • James Armstrong, III, Builders of Hope Development Corporation
  • Valerie Ballard, Operation Tiny House
  • Jason Brown, Dallas City Homes
  • Demont Campbell, Urban Nest Development
  • Jordan D'Silva, Web City Properties
  • Annie Evans, SouthFair Community Development Corporation
  • Ferrell Fellows, Kingdom Legacy Development Company
  • Marc Henderson, Exodus Development Group
  • Patrice Jefferson, SDMC Investments, LLC
  • Olga Lopez, CIMA Holding Group
  • Scottie Smith, II, Shekinah Legacy Holdings
  • Jay Taylor, Juxta Developments
  • Brandon Ward, Bidgigz LLC


Combined, the fifteen participants have constructed or rehabbed over 430 single-family units, completed 24 small/mid-size multifamily projects, and 25 commercial retail projects. The participants have over 500 single-family units, 230 multifamily units, and nine commercial real estate projects in the collective pipeline. Dallas continues to see an increased need for diverse developers to lead revitalization throughout the city. “We can learn different ways of thinking that will open new doors and possibilities. We want to have equal opportunities to capital, contracts, and build generational wealth while solving for and improving community success,” said Olga Lopez, CDR participant and CEO/Founder of CIMA Holding Group, LLC.


The initial session of the CDR was held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, and hosted at the offices of The Beck Group in downtown Dallas. Participants heard from Printice Gary, founding partner and CEO of Carleton Residential Properties, Jeff Forbes of The Beck Group, and industry experts Steve Goldin and Jay Haigler. “Being included in this group of amazing developers and real estate professionals will not only help me scale and build capacity as a developer but also help me expand my reach and impact in the South Dallas Community that I serve,” said Scottie Smith, II, CDR participant and CEO of Shekinah Legacy Holdings.


The CDR will meet monthly through June 2023 for eight sessions and includes two additional networking events.

Beyond the Groundbreaking: Mastering the Fundamentals of Land Strategy

By Asheya Warren • January 29, 2026
This session continued the cohort’s exploration of the land development process, focusing on how developers evaluate opportunities through deal structure, pricing, yield, and timing—long before a project ever breaks ground. The conversation was anchored by Gilbert Gerst, Senior Vice President of Community Development Banking at Bank of Texas , who emphasized three fundamentals that consistently shape development outcomes: what you pay for the land, what you sell it for, and the time in between. From there, the discussion expanded to include how deal structures and evolving information influence risk, feasibility, and long-term value. Insights from Demarius Seals of DCS Development Services and Jared Helmberger of Bear Land reinforced that land development is an iterative process—one that requires disciplined analysis, adaptability, and an understanding of how product type and yield expectations shift over time.

Bridging the Gap: Fort Worth Cohort 3 Gains Direct Access to City Decision-Makers

December 23, 2025
The third session of the Community Developers Roundtable Fort Worth cohort brought developers inside City Hall for direct access to the leaders and staff shaping development across Fort Worth, hosted by the City of Fort Worth. Opening • Jay Chapa, City Manager City Leadership Panel • Kacey Thomas – Neighborhood Services • Ori Fernandez – Economic Development • DJ Harrell – Development Services City Staff & Program Experts Zoning, housing programs, finance tools, incentives, revitalization, and partnerships were represented by cross-department leaders including Marybel Pena, Sarah Odle, Dyan Anderson, Joshua Hezlap, Lilia Escobedo, Martha Collins, and Phillip Michael Smart. Lunch & Learn • LaShondra Stringfellow – Legislative updates impacting development This is exactly why the CDR exists: to give developers access to decision-makers, understanding of how systems connect, and confidence to move projects forward.

From Intimidation to Insight: Financial Fundamentals for Community Developers

November 28, 2025
Session 2 marked the first curriculum-focused gathering of the Community Developers Roundtable (CDR) cohort, hosted at the Fort Worth offices of Westwood .  This session brought participants together with experienced professionals from across the development and finance space. The focus was on connection, perspective, and creating room for honest dialogue, reinforcing CDR’s role as a place where emerging developers can engage directly with people who understand the realities of the work. The conversation continued throughout the day and wrapped up with informal discussion and networking, giving participants time to connect ideas back to their own goals and build relationships with one another and the speakers. Session 2 presenters included: • Will Northern, Crescendo Development • Porchia Barrett, HM&M • Diana Cetares, HM&M • Banking and financial institution representatives
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