We just got back from visiting one of the four Develop the DeveloperSM (DTD) Academies, LISC Milwaukee, that just so happens to be located in Brianna’s hometown. We left feeling inspired by the emerging developers looking to invest in their communities and want to spotlight the great work that is happening throughout the DTD program — and how others can get involved.

  • Lawrence Washington and Brianna Brown giving a presentation at LISC Milwaukee

    Lawrence and Brianna ready to start their Freddie Mac Multifamily presentation.

  • Students of LISC Milwaukee listening to a Freddie Mac presentation

    LISC Milwaukee classroom full of students for the Freddie Mac Multifamily presentation.

  • Lawrence Washington and Brianna Brown presenting for a class at LISC Milwaukee

    Kicking off the Freddie Mac Multifamily presentation to the LISC Milwaukee class.

  • An interactive Freddie Mac Multifamily Underwriting presentation

    Lawrence presenting Freddie Mac Underwriting guidance to the classroom.

The Heart of Develop the Developer

DTD is focused on supporting reinvestment and development in historically underserved communities. This is done by connecting aspiring developers, including women and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) developers, with the tools and resources they need to build up their own communities. 

Multifamily developers who participate will attend classes with an intensive 36-hour curriculum that helps community members learn how to remove barriers to access capital and move projects forward. Once they’ve finished the program, graduates obtain additional guidance and technical assistance to secure funding through various sources, including grants, loans, angel investors, and foundations that support minority-owned businesses and encourage economic progress.

This program and its participants drive economic growth by creating multifamily housing units that may not have otherwise been developed. Many developers work on vacant land lots that have been undeveloped for decades — bringing life back to their local communities.
 

The Local Academies

Develop the Developer is offered through established academies, currently located in Omaha, Nebraska, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Baltimore, Maryland, with plans to expand to additional markets.

Contact your nearest location to learn more about participating in the academy — or if you’re interested in learning more about the program, visit our Develop the Developer webpage.