Living
Beacons of a new generation
D.C. Black Pride honoring youth at ceremony Friday
Christopher Watson and Theara Coleman are being honored at this weekend’s D.C. Black Pride festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
When the 23rd annual D.C. Black Pride festivities begin Friday in the Thornton Room at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave.), it will be a night devoted to paying tribute to those who have done something special for the LGBT community.
Mayor Vincent Gray will be awarded the Eleanor Holmes Norton Award for his work fighting for LGBT rights. Dr. Imani Woody and Courtney Williams will be recipients of the Welmore Cook Award, each honored for their strong community involvement.
Two names that might not be as familiar — at least not yet — are Theara Coleman and Christopher Watson. For the first time, D.C. Black Pride will present a leadership award to black LGBT community leaders who are 30 years old or younger and these recent graduates are the inaugural honorees.
Hailing from the projects of Brooklyn, N.Y., Coleman is the daughter of a retired NYPD police officer and a stay-at-home mom who is active in social services. With support from her family, Coleman was able to thrive as an LGBT student and received a scholarship from Howard University, graduating earlier this month.
In college, Coleman was an English major and an African-American Studies minor and spent time away from the classroom concentrating on civic and social services, especially when it came to LGBT issues.
“All four years I was at Howard I was involved with working with Cascade, the LGBT organization on campus. I started out doing event planning to spread awareness, and I ended up being vice president and subsequently president for two years,” Coleman says. “A lot of our work was trying to create a better understanding on campus so the school can feel the presence of the LGBT community and see the importance of recognizing us as a community at Howard and our need for resources.”
Coleman says her efforts have helped pave the way for future LGBT Howard students to have an easier time with other students and the administration.
Outside of her work at Howard, the 22-year-old also interned with the ACLU, writing blogs about her experiences of being an LGBT student in high school and college and assisting on research and grant writing.
“That pushed me to get an internship with Stonewall Democrats and I learned about all the policy that has to do with LGBT rights because the majority of what we were doing was how officials running for office were addressing LGBT issues,” she says. “I also served for a short time with Obama for America as an LGBT outreach coordinator, reaching out to the community to get more LGBT voters out to put Obama back in office.”
Coleman also works as a mentor to students in transitional housing and volunteers at a variety of other organizations. Having just graduated, she is currently looking for a job that will help her utilize her skills and help others in the process.
She’s thinking about something in the non-profit field where she can help with grant writing. Her dream job is to help LGBT youth in high school and use her experiences to show them how to navigate the world once they get into college and enter the real world.
As for the award, Coleman says she is humbled that she was chosen and dedicates it to her mentor, Victoria Kirby, who has been her inspiration throughout her Howard years.
“It means a lot to me because of all the work I have been doing in undergrad and how much I have immersed myself in pushing for LGBT rights and I appreciate that all the leg work I have done is being recognized,” Coleman says. “It means I am heading in the right direction with what I want to accomplish in life.”
Also heading in the right direction is Watson, who works as the clinical research site director at George Washington University, while he works on a master’s of public health degree in epidemiology. He has a bachelor’s of science in biology from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
The country boy from North Carolina has been doing public health work for more than a decade.
“I started in North Carolina in response to the outbreak of HIV infections among college-aged men in 2003,” he says. “I moved in 2005 to study pharmaceutics at Howard but decided within a year that it was not for me and my goal — thanks to a mom who said I couldn’t move back home so work it out in D.C. — was to make it in corporate America.”
That decision led Watson to a job at Bank of America. Soon after, GW approached him to join its public health team as its clinical research site director, working on HIV and other issues.
“It’s been one of the best decisions I ever made,” he says. “I love public health. I love helping people and I love making a difference in individual lives.”
Watson’s responsibilities include community mobilization and engagement in the local community. He’s become a strong advocate in the national scene for additional funding for black gay men.
“I would ultimately like to have an influence in policy development as it relates to African-American health and look at how we can build on the existing research and also begin to revise and develop new policies that are culturally congruent for the lives of African Americans,” he says.
Watson is looking forward to tonight’s awards and his proud mom will be on hand to watch him receive the award.
“It’s a surreal experience. It’s rewarding to know your sacrifices don’t go unnoticed but if no one knew my name, I would be happy,” he says. “I appreciate it. I’m grateful to have this moment, and I share this award with my colleagues, family and friends who give me the support structure to do the work at the level I’m able to do it.”
Real Estate
What property should I purchase if I’m not sure how long I’ll be in D.C.?
Row homes, English basements and more options abound
Great question! If you are looking at real estate as an investment – two great property types to look at would be a smaller row home and also a row home that has an English basement. Some property types that you might want to stay away from would be a condo or a co-op unit. Let’s take a look at why these properties would be good and bad:
Smaller Row Home
Row homes are a great investment for many reasons. You can often find smaller two-bedroom row homes in the same price point as those of a two-bedroom condo, which might be seen as a “condo alternative” and afford you much more freedom. There are no condo associations or home owner associations that you must belong to so this keeps your monthly carrying costs on the lower end and you are allowed to make more independent decisions. For example, if you wanted to paint the house purple – in most cases you would be allowed to. If you wanted to change the color of the front door or put shutters on the windows – you would be allowed to. This is usually not the case with condo or co-ops.
When it comes to the rental market – similarly renters like the independence of privacy in a home and not being among many other people. The luxury of perhaps direct off-street parking, outdoor space or even just more space at the same rental amount that a two bedroom condo rent would be – this is more appealing for a renter and would likely rent faster than that of a condo or co-op. For this model – you would obviously need to move out before you could take advantage of the investment of this type of real estate.
A row home with an English basement
With this type of real estate you can immediately begin receiving income after your purchase. You can occupy the upstairs of the row home, which is usually the larger portion of the home, or you could even occupy the basement, which is usually the 1-2 bedroom smaller portion of the home and receive rental income for the other half of the home. This can be in the way of a yearly traditional tenant or in the manner of short-term rentals (check with the most recent STR policies within the District). With this model, you stand to make even more of a return on your investment upon your move out of the home as you can rent the entire home or you can rent the top unit and basement unit independently to gross a larger amount of income. It is important to note that it is never advised to purchase a row home unless you can fully afford it WITHOUT the idea of accepting additional rental income to offset the mortgage cost.
These two options listed above are the most typical found within the District because they are fee simple, standalone pieces of real estate and are not within a condo association, HOA, or a co-op with governing documents that tell you what you can and cannot do which makes row homes an attractive type of real estate for a long-term hold.
When looking at types of properties that you might want to stay away from – condos and co-ops come to mind and I say this with a caveat. You can surely purchase these types of real estate but must first understand the in’s and out’s of their governing documents. Condos are bound by the governing condominium documents which will tell you for how long your lease must be, a minimum of lease days, you can only rent after you have lived in the residence for a number of years, likely will stipulate no transient housing – which means no short term rentals. It could also quite possibly say that you can only rent for a specific amount of time and lastly it will also stipulate that only a specific amount of people can rent at one time in order to stay below the regulated lending requirements set forth by Fannie and Freddie Mac. Similarly, Co-ops are even more strict – they can tell you that you are just not able to rent at all or if you can you can only do so for a specific number of years and then you are required to sell or return back to the unit as your primary residence.
As you can see, when it comes to condos and co-ops there are more specific and stringent bylaws that owners must agree to and follow that limit or even outlaw your ability to rent your piece of real estate. When you purchase a row home – there are no regulations on what you can and cannot do regarding rentals (outside of the short-term regulations within the District).
When looking for a piece of real estate in the District it is important to think through how long you could possibly wish to hold onto this property and what the future holds. If you think this is a long-term hold then you might consider a row home option – again, you can find a smaller two-bedroom row home that amounts to that price similar to a two-bedroom condo and would afford you a more flexible lifestyle. It’s important to work with a real estate agent to ensure that they guide you in this process and help answer any questions you might have. It’s also always advised to speak directly to a short-term rental specialist should you wish to go down that route as they will truly understand the in’s and out’s of that marketplace.
All in all, there are specific property types that work for everyone and within the District we have a plethora of options for everyone.
Justin Noble is a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty licensed in D.C., Maryland, and Delaware for your DMV and Delaware beach needs. Specializing in first-time homebuyers, development and new construction as well as estate sales, Justin provides white glove service at every price point. Reach him at 202-503-4243, [email protected] or BurnsandNoble.com.
Business
Heather Lawver’s journey to growth, inclusion with Ceemo.ai at StartOut’s Growth Lab
‘A program that embraces unique challenges LGBTQ+ founders have’
In the bustling world of startups, where innovation and diversity intertwine to forge new pathways, Heather Lawver, founder and CEO of D.C.-based Ceemo.ai stands out not just as a visionary entrepreneur but as a beacon of inclusivity and determination. Her journey to build Ceemo.ai, an advertising and branding platform dedicated to revolutionizing how startups conceive and market their brands, has reached a pivotal milestone with its selection into StartOut’s esteemed Growth Lab Accelerator, sponsored by J.P. Morgan.
With less than one percent of startup funding being allocated toward LGBTQ+ founders in 2023, according to a recent StartOut study, this five-month program is critical in providing resources and education to help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs grow and compete.
Ceemo.ai joins eight other companies nationwide for this exclusive five-month training program.
A commitment to inclusion
Lawver founded Ceemo.ai in 2021 as a way to help entrepreneurs build better brands and seamlessly apply them to the marketing and pitch materials they need to launch the company of their dreams. The company’s simple five-step brand quiz helps founders think strategically about how they want to be perceived by their customers to then generate a full brand book with wordmark logo, color scheme, and font suite. Ceemo then applies that new brand book to a full suite of marketing and pitch materials, giving founders a roadmap to making sales and securing investment.
Her application to the Growth Lab Accelerator cohort was driven by more than the desire for business growth; it was fueled by her longstanding volunteer work with StartOut and a profound commitment to fostering an environment where LGBTQ+ founders are not only included but celebrated.
The selection of Ceemo.ai for StartOut’s Growth Lab, an accelerator known for its top-quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities tailored for LGBTQ+ founders, marks a pivotal chapter in Lawver’s mission to help cultivate a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
“Being in an accelerator where I’m not the only queer person in the room is not just empowering; it’s transformative,” she shares. “It means so much to be selected for a program that embraces the unique challenges LGBTQ+ founders have, and these issues are not just acknowledged but are central to the narrative of success and innovation.”
“The founders in our 2024 Cohort are problem solvers, developing unique products and solutions across a range of industries, from technology and software to food and beverage,” said David Barbee, Head of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. “As they continue to scale, these companies will need access to resources like capital and banking solutions, investors and business advisors. We are proud to provide mentorship and access to our firm-wide capabilities to help them reach the next level.”
“This platform is not just an accelerator; it’s a community where the unique challenges and triumphs of LGBTQ+ founders are acknowledged, celebrated, and used as a springboard for groundbreaking business success,” said Lawver.
Ambitious goals for bright future
Over the past decade, Lawver’s expertise in enhancing pitch decks and fundraising strategies has been instrumental in securing more than $170 million for minority entrepreneurs across various demographics, including women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled individuals, and seniors.
Her vision for her time in the five-month cohort is characterized by ambition and a keen focus on leveraging the program’s resources to scale Ceemo.ai’s impact. Her top goals include refining the platform’s Crunchbase algorithms to offer unparalleled market insights for startups, enhancing their organic sales funnels, and forging strategic partnerships with tech giants like Canva, Adobe, Google, Shopify, and Squarespace. These objectives are not just growth metrics but stepping stones towards revolutionizing how startups approach branding and marketing in a highly competitive digital landscape.
(Founded in 2009, StartOut, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the largest national organization to support LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with more than 28,000 members nationwide. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future.)
Real Estate
The rise of virtual home tours
Adapting to changing consumer preferences in spring real estate
In today’s dynamic real estate market, the spring season brings not only blooming flowers but also a surge of activity as buyers and sellers alike prepare to make their moves. However, in recent years, there’s been a notable shift in how consumers prefer to explore potential homes: the rise of virtual tours.
For the LGBTQ community, these virtual experiences offer more than just convenience; they provide accessibility, safety, and inclusivity in the home buying process.
Gone are the days of spending weekends driving from one open house to another – unless that’s your thing of course, only to find that the property doesn’t quite match expectations. With virtual tours, you can explore every corner of a home from the comfort of your own space – find something interesting? Schedule a showing with any LGBTQ Realtor at GayRealEstate.com.
This is particularly significant for LGBTQ individuals, who may face unique challenges or concerns when attending in-person showings. Whether it’s the ability to discreetly view properties without fear of discrimination or the convenience of touring homes located in LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods across the country, virtual tours offer a sense of empowerment and control in the home buying process.
Moreover, virtual tours cater to the diverse needs of the LGBTQ community. For couples or families with busy schedules or those living in different cities or states, these digital walkthroughs provide a convenient way to view properties together without the need for extensive travel. Additionally, for individuals who may be exploring their gender identity or transitioning, virtual tours offer a low-pressure environment to explore potential living spaces without the added stress of in-person interactions.
At GayRealEstate.com, we understand the importance of adapting to changing consumer preferences and leveraging technology to better serve our community. That’s why our agents offer an extensive selection of virtual tours for LGBTQ individuals and allies alike – visit our website, choose an agent and within minutes you’ll have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) via their website.
From cozy condominiums in bustling urban centers to sprawling estates in picturesque suburbs, virtual tours showcase a wide range of properties tailored to diverse tastes and lifestyles.
In addition to virtual tours, GayRealEstate.com provides comprehensive resources and support to guide LGBTQ buyers and sellers through every step of the real estate journey. Our network of LGBTQ-friendly agents is committed to providing personalized service, advocacy, and representation to ensure that all individuals feel respected, valued, and empowered throughout the process. Plus, we are happy to provide a free relocation kit to any city in the USA or Canada if you are a home buyer.
As we embrace the spring season and all the opportunities it brings in the real estate market, let’s also celebrate the power of virtual tours to revolutionize the way we find and experience our future homes. Whether you’re searching for your first apartment, forever home, or investment property, GayRealEstate.com is here to help you navigate the exciting world of real estate with confidence, pride, and inclusivity.
Jeff Hammerberg is founding CEO of Hammerberg & Associates, Inc. Reach him at [email protected].
What property should I purchase if I’m not sure how long I’ll be in D.C.?
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