The 3rd Annual PlaceKeepers Minority Developers Conference:
Better Together
July 27-29, 2023
Thursday @ Metro Technology Center (1900 Springlake Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73111)
Friday @ OSU Discovery Building
(300 NE 9th Street OKC, OK 73104)
Sunday - Meeting @ First Americans Museum (659 American Indian Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73129)
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This 3-day event is designed for developers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. If you are passionate about creating vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods that reflect the diversity of our cities, this conference is for you!
On the first day (7/27), we will kick off the conference with an opening dinner. The dinner will feature a plenary speaker who will set the stage for the discussions to come. This will be a great opportunity to meet fellow attendees and connect with like-minded individuals.
The second day (7/28) is the full conference day. During the conference, we will delve into topics such as affordable housing, community development, and economic empowerment. We will have keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. Each giving you the chance to engage with experts in the field and share your own experiences.
The third day (7/29) will be a tour of the east side developments. During the tour, you can see firsthand the innovative projects that are transforming communities and meet the people behind them. This will be a great way to gain inspiration and ideas for your own work.
Minority communities across the country are in the midst of a renaissance. To ensure that residents and stakeholders participate in the revitalization of their community, Northeast OKC Renaissance Inc. (NEOKCR) created the PlaceKeepers Minority Developers Conference to bring aspiring and practicing real estate professionals, community developers, placemakers, and grass-roots organizers together for an experience focused on place based, community-led approaches to real estate development in minority communities. the PlaceKeeper’s Minority Real Estate Developer’s Conference. OKC has already seen several completed or under construction TIF projects in addition to MAPS 4 on the horizon. The PlaceKeepers Real Estate Developer's program will fuel community members to be a part of the anticipated developments.
PlaceKeeper's Minority Developer's Conference 2021
Session 1: A NE OKC Renaissance
Dr. Quintin Hughes Sr. - President of NE Oklahoma City Renaissance
Denyvetta Davis - President of the NE OKC Neighborhood Coalition
Dr. Quintin Hughes and Denyvetta Davis open the 2021 PlaceKeepers Minority Developers Conference by discussing priorities, initiatives, and areas of focus for the built environment in NE Oklahoma City.
Session 2: Public Spaces and Development.
Nikki Nice - Councilwoman of Ward 7 in Oklahoma City
Camal Pennington - Planning Commission Oklahoma City Ward 7
Elizabeth Larios - Project Manager for the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City
Daisy Muñoz - Capital Access Manager at Progress OKC/MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board
Our esteemed panelists sit down to discuss how public spaces such as schools and parks are affected by development, and each persons role in the process.
Session 3: Live, Work, and Play
Gina Sofola - CEO of Sofola and Associates
DeAndre Martin - Project Manager at the OKC Innovation District
Dr. Quintin Hughes Sr. - President of NE Oklahoma City Renaissance
The Live, Work, Play panel discusses the jobs coming to the Innovation District, how Page Woodson can support the housing needs of the employment growth, and how the Eastpoint Development can serve as the play for the community with businesses like Kindred Spirits and Spiked Coffee.
Session 4: Women in Development
Valerie McMurry - Co Founder of Ground Root Development
Ashley Terry - Vice President of Development at Wheeler District
Gina Sofola - CEO of Sofola and Associates
This panel sits down to discuss the challenges they have had to overcome as women in development.
Session 5: Construction, Finance, and Design
Reeve Tarron - Senior Vice President at Legacy Bank
John Day - CEO of First Security Bank
Franklin Wheeler - President at Franklin.Build
Jorge Charneco - Managing Principal at Miles Architecture
This panel discusses the relationship and process of engaging a General Contractor, Architect, and Lender.