Cohort Three of the M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows
at The University of Baltimore
The third cohort of The University of Baltimore Real Estate Fellows are working to address critical development needs within Baltimore's middle-market neighborhoods. UBalt students and alumni will have 10-weeks of mentoring from seasoned real estate professionals. After the mentoring sessions, students will then identity a neighborhood, create a project, complete a development plan, and develop an application for financing. The winning proposal will get the necessary financing up to $1 million in a Guidance Line of Credit from Baltimore Community Lending to proceed with the project. The culmination of a the work will have each student or team of students share their plan in the "Pitch for a Million" competition.
Learn more about the selection process.
The University of Baltimore Real Estate Fellows and Venture Challenge (REFVC) is sponsored by M&T Bank, Baltimore Community Lending, and the UBalt Real Estate and Economic Development Advisory Board. New this year is that the winner will have $10K in equity to put towards the project. The equity fund is sponsored by industry executives and the Reznick Foundation.
Meet The M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows
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Thomas Anderson
Thomas Anderson is expecting to earn his degree in business administration with a specialization in real estate and economic development in 2023. The Baltimore native considers himself a prison abolitionist. He promotes the power and importance of education in the prison system. He is a featured speaker, article writer, and has been interviewed and featured in articles focused on prison education. Anderson has a passion and purpose for transformative housing that was ignited from his past experiences. As a student of the University of Baltimore, he is part of the Second Chance Program. He began his college career at UBalt while incarcerated and later transitioned to on campus learning in the spring of 2020.
Why the Fellows program?
The Fellows program is a great opportunity for me to develop my transformative housing idea and bring it into reality. The wisdom and guidance I will receive from this program will enable me to provide a better future, not only for myself, but also for the marginalized and disenfranchised of our society. -
Bob Ezumah
Bob Ezumah is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Global Affairs and Human Security from UBalt's College of Public Affairs and expects to graduate in the fall of 2022. He also has a BSc. in Government and Public Administration and a MBA focused on management and strategy. The Columbia, Md resident is most proud of the planning, proposed development, and construction of a shopping plaza. In his spare time he enjoys soccer and is a fan of the English Premier League and cheers for Chelsea and Liverpool Clubs.
Why the Fellows program?
I want to be in the Fellows program to contribute to the economic growth and development of Baltimore City through Real Estate Development and Reuse.
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Wesley Hawkins
Wesley Hawkins lives in Baltimore and is an alumnus from The University of Baltimore where in 2018 he received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He is also a graduate of Trinity Washington University where he earned a master's degree in education, curriculum and instruction. He is retired correctional officer, a property manager, a business owner, an author of the book Dear Nolita, the CEO of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Nolita Project Inc., a mentor to underprivileged youth in the Baltimore community. He is also a motivational speaker and published author (https://www.wesleyhawkins.org/). A project Project that makes him most proud was a property that he purchased and remodeled. It's purpose was for temporary housing for youth in the program. This property provided all the necessities for displaced youth who needed help. His hobbies include writing and poetry.
Why the Fellows program?
I want to be in this fellowship program because as a former UBalt student, not only did I receive a wealth of knowledge from the college, I also made great connections and relationships with the professors and student body. I have full confidence that this program will give me the information, opportunity, connections and resources to take the current work I’ve dreamed of doing to the next level.
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Amber Jones
Amber Jones graduated from The University of Baltimore in 2018 whre she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a specialization in real estate and economic development. The Baltimore City resident is most proud of a ReBuild Metro's Vacant House Stabilization Program for East Baltimore. A project that is launching in 2022. Her hobbies include attending live concerts or plays, travelling, and exploring hidden local gems.
Why the Fellows program?
I have ideas to help my city that I want to bring to fruition and this program will teach me how to plan and communicate those ideas in a way that can get them financed and completed. -
Lamar Purnell
Lamar Purnell earned a B.S in Jurisprudence from The University of Baltimore in 2017 and is currently pursuing a J.D. in the School of Law. He says that one of the projects that makes him the proudest is starting a behavioral health clinic in the inner city of Baltimore. In his downtime he likes to read books and listen to podcasts about personal growth and finances. He also likes to workout, box, and run.
Why the Fellows program?
I want to learn more about real estate and to build a stronger network with real estate professionals. In addition, I think this program will help give me the resources needed to take the next step in my real-estate developer journey. -
Na'Quon Willett
Na'Quon Willett is a business administration major and specializing in entrepreneurship and is a member of the Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellows Program and expects to graduate in 2023. Prior to arriving at UBalt he attended Anne Arundel Community College where he earned A.A.S. in Entrepreneurship. Willett is also a Bob Parsons Scholar. A project he is proud of includes a collaborative rehabilitation project with Tribeca Management where he assisted in the rehabilitation of a three building, 48 unit apartment complex in Washington D.C. A Crofton, Md resident, Willett's hobbies vary from stock investing and financial analysis, travelling, and spending time with his family and friends.
Why the Fellows program?
As a mission-driven entrepreneur, the Fellows program gives me the opportunity to:
• Learn the technicalities of developing and managing an efficient development project from seasoned professionals in the industry
• Network with like-minded individuals
• Construct and execute a development plan that rehabilitates infrastructure in Baltimore
• Have an economic impact on current/future homeowners, employers, and employees in the City of Baltimore