Women of Color in Community Development

Women of Color in Community Development, or WCCD, was organized in 2008 by founders, Lisa Hall, Susan Jones, Lessie Powell Evans, and Oramenta Newsome to offer a forum where women of color in fields related to community and economic development could be highlighted and celebrated for their professional achievements. Since 2008, WCCD has grown from an informal network to a membership organization and has continued to strengthen its mission of supporting the personal, educational and professional development of women of color engaged in fields related to community and economic development. WCCD members enjoy this supportive professional network through regularly scheduled professional development events, panel discussions, mentoring, networking sessions and social gatherings, which further promote the personal and professional advancement of women of color in the field.

Join the Network

WCCD members enjoy a supportive professional network that promotes personal and professional advancement through regularly scheduled professional development events, panel discussions, mentoring, networking sessions and social gatherings.

Attend an Upcoming WCCD Event

Attend a professional development seminar, networking event or social gathering to cultivate and expand relationships with women who represent various sectors in the community development industry.

Join us for the 2024 Sustaining Member Brunch.
Sunday September 22 from 1:00 to 4:00pm
Location: Wellspring Manor - 11311 Drumsheugh Ln,
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

The Brunch will be held at the Wellspring Manor & Spa, a black-owned luxury oasis of peace and renewal just outside Washington D.C., nestled in Prince George’s County, MD. Join your fellow WCCD Sustaining Members as we fellowship over chef-prepared delicacies, sip on a curated selection of beverages, and indulge in savory desserts in this all-inclusive sanctuary.

This year's Keynote Speaker to be announced soon.

Register here.

Join us for the WCCD Summer Networking Happy Hour!
Wednesday July 17 from 5:30 to 7:30pm
Location: The Gathering Spot, DC 1720 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Enjoy the height of summer by connecting, relaxing, and celebrating the successes of our WCCD community at The Gathering Spot, a private black-owned club rooted in community and culture, bringing together diverse voices to inspire change. Whether you're a long-time member or new to WCCD, this is your chance to network, share ideas, and enjoy great company!

Members are encouraged to bring a guest to help grow our dynamic network of women of color in community and economic development. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to expand your network and build lasting connections!

RSVP here to join us.

WCCD and Community Development Events

Investing in Real Estate
with Pam Dorsey & Nikki Dade
June 11, 2024 | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | Virtual

Join us on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 6pm to 7:30pm for an insightful virtual event where Pam Dorsey and Nikki Dade, founders of Paragon Investment Partners, will share their expertise on investing in real estate.

Pam Dorsey and Nikki Dade are multifamily, real estate investors focused on acquiring B-C Class properties that generate passive income in working-class communities. They founded Paragon Investment Partners with a desire to build a solid, multifamily investment portfolio while introducing value-add opportunities for investors and the community. Paragon Investment Partners is invested in 148 units to date.

In addition to Paragon Investment Partners, Pam owns and operates an HR consulting firm, PD Solutions Group following a successful 25-year career leading Human Resources programs and teams in prominent companies like NPR and Spacex. Pam owned her first home at the age of 21 and has 10 years of experience leading the renovation, rental and sale of residential properties in Prince George County Maryland. In addition, she is a licensed, Title Insurance Producer in Maryland and freelances as a notary signing agent, executing mortgage signings.

Nikki is a real estate agent, who is an expert in the local market, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to real estate investing through her keen market analysis and deal valuation. Prior to co-founding Paragon Investment Partners, she owned and operated Faces of Dimensions, a lucrative hair and make-up studio servicing the Metropolitan area for over 15 years. She is a proud graduate of Howard University and holds an MBA in International Business from Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship at NovaSoutheastern University.

Free for Members, $25 for non-members

Innovating in Baltimore: Spotlight on Black Women Developers in Baltimore
Date: June 6, 2024
6:00 – 7:30pm (In-person)
Venue: Hoen Lithograph Building
2101 East Biddle Street, Baltimore, MD 21213

Join us for a spotlight on Black women developers in Baltimore as they spearhead economic development initiatives. Explore the top challenges faced by developers as they drive innovation and foster growth in the city. Gain insights from successful developers who have navigated the landscape west of the Inner Harbor, addressing key issues and seizing unique opportunities for affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization.

Panelists:

Bree Jones, Founder of Parity Homes
China Boak Terrell, Executive Director of American Communities Trust
Stephani Estrada-EL, Program Manager of The Affordable Housing Trust Fund - City of Baltimore’s Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD)

Free for members & $25 for non-members.

SHE RISES: ELEVATING WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Thursday May 16, 2024 from 6pm-7:30pm

J.P. Morgan - The Bowen Building, 875 15th Street NW, Washington, DC

Led by industry experts and successful entrepreneurs, this workshop aims to uplift and equip Black women entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge needed to soar in today's competitive business landscape. Come in with your ideas, questions and challenges. Come out with a plan to transform your business.

The Well-Prepared Black Woman - A Conversation on Wealth Management and Legacy Planning

Friday, April 19, 2024 from 12-1pm EST via Zoom.

Please join us for an in-depth virtual discussion on building and preserving wealth with a unique focus on the experiences of Black women.

Speakers:

Lee Christian Parker, Executive Director/Banker

Tawanna Browne-Smith, Vice President/Banker

J.P. Morgan Private Bank

As We Rise: Black Women in Affordable Housing, Finance, and Law

Thursday March 28, 2024
8am-2pm at The Madison Hotel, Washington DC.

As We Rise: Black Women in Affordable Housing, Finance, and Law is a symposium convened to highlight the unique and powerful presence of Black women in an industry where there is limited representation. The event is being jointly convened by the DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) and Women of Color in Community Development (WCCD) in celebration of Women’s History Month. The event will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

Registration is managed by DCHFA. Please register here.

The PromoteHER Workshop: The Blueprint to Landing Your Promotion in 2024

January 18, 2024 from 12-1pm EST via Zoom.

Join us for a transformative workshop that will empower you to rise in your career, break through barriers, and secure the promotion you deserve. This workshop is exclusively designed for mid to senior level corporate professional women who aspire to reach new heights in their careers.

611 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, #284

WASHINGTON, DC 20003

WCCD.DC@GMAIL.COM

WCCD is a membership organization and professional network of women of color in the community and economic development industry in the Washington metropolitan region.