Memphis officials have announced the launch of the Emerging Developer Academy (EDA), a new initiative aimed at addressing the city’s affordable housing shortage through local talent development. The program is a collaborative effort among the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, the Alliance for Housing Progress, Freddie Mac’s Develop the Developer Academy, and the City of Memphis.
According to a press release from Shelby County, the EDA is designed to equip emerging developers with practical skills and resources to create affordable housing projects within their own communities. Participants will receive mentorship, hands-on training, and technical assistance to help them transition from project concept to completion.
The program’s steering committee represents a broad coalition of leaders across housing, finance, and community development sectors. Members include Tonya Meeks of ULI Memphis, Jozelle Booker of The MMBC Continuum, Kelbert Fagan of Convergence Memphis, Brody Wamble of Simmons Bank, Ashley Cash of the City of Memphis Housing & Community Development, Charia Jackson of CRA Memphis, Michael Cowan of Community LIFT, and Rasheedah Jones of the Alliance for Housing Progress.
Shelby County officials describe the EDA as a key component of ongoing efforts to promote inclusive economic growth while expanding access to affordable housing. By cultivating a network of local developers, the initiative seeks to strengthen community-based investment and ensure that new development efforts align with neighborhood needs.
The Emerging Developer Academy reflects Memphis’s broader commitment to fostering equitable growth and empowering residents to participate directly in shaping the city’s housing landscape. Through collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit partners, officials hope the program will lay the groundwork for long-term solutions to the region’s housing challenges.
