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Blair Durham
President & Co-Founder of Black BRANDBlair Durham is a Hampton Roads native, a Virginia Tech alum, and the Co-Founder and President of Black BRAND, Hampton Roads’ Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to more than 400 individual and corporate members and five impactful programs aimed at narrowing the wealth gap through the provision of social, knowledge, resource, and financial capital. Blair serves on a number of boards throughout the region, lending her thought leadership and expertise in the nonprofit and business development spaces and is the recipient of several honors and distinctions for her efforts. She and her husband, Bashiri, are the proud parents of three children and they make their home in Portsmouth, VA
Tony Harold, Sr.
Founder of Affinity Capital Fund LLCFAMILY FIRST: Tony V. Harold. Sr. is a member of a very large family from Virginia Beach, VA. After college, Tony married and has three sons, three loving daughters-in-law, one grandson and granddaughter-in-law, and one great-grandson who is two years old!
PURPOSE: Tony is a proud Father restoring a God-based Family VISION & LEGACY.
EDUCATION: A graduate of Hampton University, Tony earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrating in Accounting and Real Estate.
DREAM CAREER: Currently, Mr. Harold is the Founder and President at Affinity Capital in the Chesapeake, VA office. He has 20 years of real estate experience, owns 300 Units of apartments, and is invested in 1,215 apartments in Virginia, North Carolina, and is expanding in 17 states. Tony recently became a published author of his book: “Zero to 300”, the story of his climb to Success in Real Estate on https://www.amazon.com/Zero-300-Commercial-Multifamily-Generational/dp/B0CGL4GSH7, and is available for speaking engagements.
Day to Day, Tony and his team interact with investors to help them earn a better-than-market return on their investments as they impact the community together. Tony is the primary shareholder of Affinity Capital, the Founding company of The Freedman’s Bank of 1865 Real Estate Investments, a $57 Million Dollar Offering-in-progress, and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. See www.affinitycapitalfund.com.
Prior to Affinity, Tony started his career in Public Accounting with Pricewaterhouse Coopers CPAs in Richmond, VA, as an Auditor; then into Virginia politics on L. Douglas Wilder’s Historic Campaign to become the First Black Governor in the USA; and in 2003 he became a licensed agent with Berkshire Hathaway RW (then Rose & Womble) Real Estate Brokers in Suffolk, VA.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Governor Wilder’s office appointed Tony to oversee a statewide humanitarian blanket drive that sent two rail cars to Angola, Africa war victims; Mayor Paul Fraim’s office appointed Tony to serve a 9-year term as Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the City of Norfolk’s Public arenas. Globally, Gary Foster, EVP of Rush Communications, the parent company of Def Jam Records, requested Tony’s help with donations for hurricane damage that hit the island of Jamaica. In ministry, Tony has been a member and served in numerous roles at Calvary Revival Church of Norfolk, VA for 25 years. Additionally, Tony has served in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated Richmond and Norfolk Alumni Chapters, 200+ Men Inc., and the Greater Hampton Roads Black Chamber of Commerce. Currently, Chairman of the Housing Committee for the Virginia Beach VA Chapter of the NAACP where his team is helping more People of Color to EDUCATE, QUALIFY, RECEIVE First Time Homebuyer Financial Assistance, and OWN affordable housing to increase GENERATIONAL WEALTH. Mostly, Tony enjoys MENTORING youth!
CONTACT: FB tony.harold71, IG @tony.harold, E: tony@affinitycapitalfund.com, M: 757.615.3853
Dr. Eric Majette
CEO of Thrive Realty SolutionsDr. Eric L. Majette is a former Xerox Corporation Presidents Club Awardee, the highest award that an employee could receive. He currently holds the role of marketplace ambassador, minister, entrepreneur, author, realtor, consultant and educator. Eric has over 35 years of proven, senior business development, executive sales, marketing, fundraising, and corporate relations experience.
In 2014 that Majette received his Honorary Doctor of Ministry from VUL, all while achieving the Hampton Roads Excellence Award. Majette has also had previous ministry experience as the Founder and Senior Pastor of the former Guiding Light Church International. In addition, Majette has served as a Marketplace Ministry leader, an instructor for the TD Jakes School of Leadership, and as a Contract Instructor for Regent University. He has launched and led several business and marketplace faith-based initiatives, that were both local and national.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Norfolk State University in 1985 and later received his Master of Divinity Degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg in 2009.
Majette is a dynamic and well-sought-after speaker who has spoken at national leadership conferences such as the Bishop TD Jakes International Pastor and Leaders Conference and MEGA FEST. He has appeared on several National TV Networks, with an additional project being Love in Action” (Aired on CBN). He is the Founder of the Christian Business Chamber and previously served as President. He previously trained and equipped ministry leaders as well as business leaders in the marketplace and is known to impact the 7 Mountains of Cultural Influence including government, education, business, religion, family, arts, and entertainment. His passion as a servant leader to help impact others has afforded him the opportunity to establish strategic relationships and partnerships. Eric was blessed in 2019 with the opportunity to return to his hometown. He was appointed as the Senior Pastor for “New Life Church Global”. During the Pandemic, he launched “Thrive Realty Solutions “powered by EXP Realty. In 2023, Majette was appointed President of the NAACP Virginia Beach Branch. In addition, he serves on the Norfolk State University Athletics Board of Directors. Most Recently, Dr. Majette was elected to participate in the Hampton Roads Realtor’s Association Candidate Institute.
He and his wife Vonda live in Virginia Beach VA, have been married for 30 years, and have two children and two grandchildren.
Thaler McCormick
CEO of ForKidsThaler McCormick has been with ForKids for over 28 years, serving as Chief Executive since 2001. During her tenure, she has grown the organization from serving just 16 families in Norfolk to more than 70,000 individuals annually in Southeastern Virginia. As Chief Executive, she has actively pursued and implemented a broad network of public, private and non-profit partnerships, making ForKids one of Virginia's largest, most effective service providers for homeless families and children. Most recently Thaler has overseen the successful completion of a $25M Capital Campaign to create two regional service centers in Suffolk and Chesapeake. Opened in the Spring of 2021, the Landmark Center in Chesapeake is a regional resource, featuring an expanded 24-seat Regional Housing Crisis Hotline, an emergency overnight shelter tripling capacity for families, and 5 spacious classrooms and maker spaces to serve 120 children in the Batten Learning Hub. ForKids has garnered numerous local, state, and national awards and earned strong public support for its innovative, result-driven programs as well as for its creative and effective engagement with the community. Prior to her work with ForKids, Thaler worked as a Senior Consultant for Arthur Andersen in Washington, D.C., and wrote on housing and development issues for the Urban Land Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Miami University and a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia School of Architecture.
Tarvaris McCoy
Principal at The Real McCoy Companies
LAURA A. NGUYEN
COO at Pinnacle Real Estate Investment GroupOver the past 15 years, Laura Nguyen has rapidly progressed through the ranks of commercial real investment management. She has deep experience in executive-level portfolio management, debt and capital market decision management, risk mitigation, due diligence, investor relations, and financial reporting.
She was corporate secretary and director of investor relations of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust (NASDAQ: WHLR) where she served on the executive team that acquired and managed income-producing retail properties, primarily grocery-store-anchored shopping centers. Laura participated in capital raises, corporate debt financings, board meetings, executive panels and presentations on behalf of WHLR. Laura oversaw and brought the investor relations function in house during her tenure and was responsible for earnings call and presentation materials, corporate strategy, and overseeing all investor commutations. During her time at WHLR, the company grew sell-side analyst coverage from 1 analyst to 3 analysts.
Nguyen began her real estate career at Gold Key / Professional Hospitality Resources, where she worked closely with the CEO and management team that owns and managed hotels, restaurants, luxury residential projects, and mixed-use developments. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Old Dominion University. She previously worked in financial planning and among other civic endeavors is the 2022 president of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Network’s Coastal Virginia chapter and serves on CREW Network’s global industry research committee. Laura is a graduate of the class of 2022 CIVIC Leadership Institute. As the mother of three children. Laura finds joy in attending sporting events, volunteering in the school and spending time outdoors.
Henri Parson
Realtor at EXP Realty, LLCDr. Henri Parson holds a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and doctorate degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)/Old Dominion University. As the Director of the Microvascular Biology at the Strelitz Diabetes Research Center, EVMS, she has been involved in many clinical research trials and investigator-initiated research studies. In these research projects, she has designed and implemented studies on diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, she has participated in obtaining numerous grants to further understand diabetes as well as the cultural and socioeconomic disparities in minority populations. In addition to being an experienced scientist, Dr. Patten is also a real estate agent, who assists buyers, sellers, and investors navigate the real estate market. She is currently an agent at eXp Realty, an international real estate brokerage.
Tawana Randolph
CEO of Grace Realty Group LLCTawana Randolph is a retired Chesapeake Senior Deputy Sheriff. She began her journey as an entrepreneur in 2018 when she became a licensed Virginia Real Estate agent. Tawana, along with her husband William, began investing in residential real estate in 2015. They have since built a rental portfolio of 22 properties (in 3 states), complete 3-5 fix & flips, and purchase 1-2 buy & hold/long term rentals per year. Tawana is the creator of the "24-Hour Flipper" Investor Course and the CEO of Grace Realty Group LLC. She is committed to helping and educating others about how real estate can change and enhance the trajectory of your life. Tawana believes that building a real estate portfolio that will foster financial freedom today while creating generational wealth for tomorrow is the ultimate goal.
Jae Roe
President & Founder of SOVA Real Estate Solu�ons LLCJae A. Roe, CPM®, ACoM, has over two decades of experience in the commercial real estate sector. She is President and Founder of the consulting firm SOVA Real Estate Solutions LLC and is also a licensed real estate salesperson specializing in commercial sales and leasing with Coldwell Banker Commercial. Her experience encompasses a diverse range of property types, including office, industrial, medical, historic, retail, mixed-use, and multi-family. In addition to her real estate expertise, she is a dynamic presenterand trainer.
Jae is a dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) advocate who has held multiple leadership roles within the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®), notably Regional Vice-President for Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Her insights have graced the pages of prestigious publications such as The Journal of Property Management, National Real Estate Investor, and Bisnow. In 2021, she earned the esteemed title of Woman of Influence by the GlobeSt Real Estate Forum and, in 2023, received the Legacy Award from the IREM® Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Regent University and is an Accredited Commercial Manager
(ACoM) and Certified Property Manager (CPM®).
Seko Varner
Consultant at Positive Vibes, LLCWhile possibly best known as a DJ and owner of Positive Vibes Inc. DJ Service, or for his earlier involvement in African Diasporic Cultural events, developing and running the Golden Fold Mentorship program, or for a failed run for a School Board Seat, Seko Benjamin E. Varner is at heart a Social-Change Entrepreneur.
Born in Brooklyn New York, raised in Columbus Ohio, and now residing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Seko brings his wealth of experiences in education, counseling, entertainment, media, real estate, and finance together in Positive Vibes Consulting.
Seko leads a team of partners and collaborators to assist businesspeople access resources. Positive Vibes Consulting focuses on Project Management, Personal credit Boosting, and accessing Business and Investment Funding to lead Business Owners to become Real Estate Investors. The team's flagship project management initiative is the Hampton Roads Greenbook, which is an App and website that highlights Hampton Roads Black and Minority Organizations, Professionals, and Businesses. Seko is a graduate of Hampton University, Regent University, George Washington University, and he often brags about being kicked out of Old Dominion University twice. He is married with two grown-tailed children and a pet-project as the music producer Grandpa Crunk.
Tierra N Walker- Holloway
Principal Broker Property Manager at Walker One Property GroupTierra Walker Holloway, Principal Broker-Owner of Walker One Property Group,
Co-Founder of Walker One Residential Cleaning & Walker One Ltd., is
affectionately known as “Tierra Around Tidewater”. Her guiding principle: “Start
Where You Are, Use What You Have.” A Navy Veteran and 24-year Hampton
Roads Local transplant originally from Baltimore, MD, Tierra has been a force in
the real estate industry since 2004. Witnessing the loss of generational wealth in
her community during the crack era, Tierra made it her mission to empower and
inform those often unseen and overlooked. As a Virginia Housing 1st Time Home
Buyer Trainer, she equips individuals with the knowledge and resources to gain
and sustain wealth through real estate ownership. Having navigated the housing
crisis, Tierra found value in property management, which became a foundational
component of WOPG. Over half of her career has been spent assisting over 200
families to avoid foreclosure and navigate various housing challenges. That
expertise formed an integral part of the value of community-based care and
representation Tierra felt was missing in the Hampton Roads Real Estate market.
With a focus on residential & commercial sales and the continued growth of over
12 million in managed assets currently part of the WOPG portfolio, the goals of
her clients and client care remain at the core of her and the firm's success. As a
visionary, Tierra has carved a niche in our environment, addressing disparities
and covert racism in housing needs, particularly for Black individuals. The WOPG
community partner program offers space in their offices for small businesses and
content creators to grow and collaborate. With Year 4 on the horizon, Tierra and
her firm are poised to continue growing and impacting Hampton Roads through
real estate education, empowerment, investment, and homeownership.
