The Real Estate Accelerator Lab (REAL) is an industry-supported program designed to educate and mentor the next generation of Greater Cincinnati real estate professionals. Program participants are chosen to bring together a diverse class with a focus on leadership and those typically underrepresented in the real estate development industry. The goal of the REAL program is to expand diversity of race, ethnicity and gender identity in real estate development by offering a selected group the opportunity to expand their knowledge and build skills. Participants will develop a valuable network of fellow students, REAL graduates and industry professionals. Importantly, graduates will learn the building blocks of creating and sustaining thriving careers and communities.

The nine-month program is comprised of a day-long orientation and eight program days. Each program day has a specific topic of focus.

2020-2021 Schedule*

1st Thursday of every month with the exception of May; 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
All sessions with the exception of October will take place at 1819 Innovation Hub, 2900 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206.  The October session will take place at Braxton Brewing Company’s meeting room at 27 West 7th Street, Covington, KY 41011.

Orientation – September 3, 2020
Program Day 1 – October 1, 2020
Program Day 2 – November 5, 2020
Program Day 3 – December 3, 2020
Program Day 4 – January 7, 2021
Program Day 5 – February 4, 2021
Program Day 6 – March 4, 2021
Program Day 7 – April 1, 2021
Program Day 8 (3:30-5:30 PM): Graduation & Capstone – May 13, 2021

The REAL Board is Comprised of the Following Organizations

Catalytic Development Funding Corp. of NKY
Cincinnati Development Fund
Cushman & Wakefield
First Financial Bank
The Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce
LISC Greater Cincinnati & Northern KY
Moody Nolan
The Port
STNL Development
Terrex Development & Construction
Huntington Bank
Taft Law
Ironsmith Development
ULI Cincinnati

Participants

Ideal participants are mid-career, Greater Cincinnati professionals who have a strong interest in advancing their career in the real estate profession. The program will be enriched by the diversity of participants which will include people of color, women, entrepreneurs, LGBTQ, non-profit and for-profit professionals. Select leaders with varying levels of familiarity with real estate development will create a myriad of experiences and perspectives.

Candidate Criteria

Cohort members are selected from a pool of applicants through a rigorous process of screening and interviewing.

• Emerging Leader: Individuals poised to assume leadership positions and/or have an entrepreneurial drive to create and foster real estate development in their communities
• Skills: Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience which may include education, work or real estate investment or a combination thereof

Application

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Completed and signed application
• Short essays
• Resume or bio

Applications for the 2020-2021 REAL 2.0 program have closed.

Tuition for REAL Participants

The Real Estate Accelerator Lab is a tuition-based program. The tuition cost for current members of ULI is $1,200.00. Tuition for non-members is $1,500.00 and includes a 12-month Associate ULI Membership.

Tuition assistance through the REAL Scholarship Fund is available for qualified individuals, particularly those who are self-employed or work at a non-profit. Information about applying for tuition assistance is on the application.

For questions about the REAL program, contact ULI Cincinnati at cincinnati@uli.org.

Program graduates from REAL 1.0 included:
Kemo Aakhutera, eMerge CoLab
Brandon Black, Drawnversation and Greater Appreciation LLC
Dureka Bonds, Plum Tree Realty
Samantha Carmine, The Covington Farmers Market at Renaissance Covington
Anita Clark, Picture Perfect Rental Properties
Christine Crowe, Simply Organized
Micah Dickson, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Michael Golden, The Port
Lindzie Gunnels, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC)
Keitha Johnson, Eurie Realty
Jalen Johnson, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
Alexis Kidd Zaffer, Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Kyle Ludlow, The Kroger Co.
Sean Mahaffey, Robbins, Kelly, Patterson & Tucker
Joseph Malek, City of Cincinnati, Department of Community and Economic Development
Brady Melton, Green Habor Holding, LLC
Marcus Parrish, Keller Williams Advisors Realty Greater Cincinnati Realtist Association
Samantha Reeves, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation
Morgan Rigaud, Queen City Hills LLC
Taylor Ross, Domicile Realtors, Inc.
Emily Scovil, Ann Buys Houses
Michael Smith, Jr., Corbus
Nique Swan, Gravity Management Group
Allen Woods, MORTAR
Brian Yagyuen, Triversity Construction

Program cohort members participating in REAL 2.0 include:
Demetreous Ali, Holdstein Management Group LLC
Terri Altman. DeTimmerman
Adetokunbo Ayoade, Ayoade Design
Yvonne Ballard, NOVE Home & Body Decor LLC
Alexandria Barnes Porter, Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority
Kenitra Battle, Common Sense Capital Solutions
Felicia Bell, Trinity Investment Solutions, LLC
Christopher Bennett, Bendav Properties LLC
Fatima Bodrick, Source Investment Solutions
Tia Brown, Seven Hills Neighorhood Houses
Aharon Brown, City of Forest Park
LaTosha Chappell, Hand in Hand Realty
Robert Denham, City of Cincinnati Community and Economic Development
Thomas Drought III, Colliers International
Kate Esarey Greene, The Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington
Andrew Haynes, REDI Cincinnati
Joshua Kimber, Noble Barber & Beauty
Edward Mathis, Republic Commercial Real Estate
Derek McCain, City of Cincinnati
Dwayne McNeal, DMEFitness & Batboy LLC
Cedric Peerman, Cavalier Ventures LLC
Kimberly Nickoson Ranz, Ayla + West
Dejah Rawlings, Homebase Cincinnati
Luke Warren, City Center Properties
Sterling Wright, McCormick & Co.