Building Black: Land Ownership and Community Development

Ashley Scott is a visionary entrepreneur, creative executive, REALTOR, and CEO of The Mobile Mavens, an Atlanta-based full-service marketing agency specializing in 360-degree immersive brand experiences and digital marketing.  She helps small businesses engage their target audiences by developing brand strategies and creating assets and events in support of that strategy.  Ashley currently serves as the Vice-President of The Freedom Georgia Initiative formed in 2020 to create a thriving safe haven for black families in response to dealing with racial trauma, a global pandemic, and social-economic instabilities. Her marketing brilliance is behind the back to nature event to be hosted annually by FGI called the “BIG BLACK Campout” bringing black families outdoors.  She is a wife to Robert Scott, an electronics technician, musician, and producer as well as the mother of two small children.  Ashley is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and an active member in her church ministry.

Alex Aaron is the Founder and CEO of Blank Slate, a minority-owned development and construction company specializing in revitalizing vacant historic properties and stabilizing distressed neighborhoods. The firm is committed to promoting economic development while preserving the existing community. Since 2016, Blank Slate has developed and sold $4.5MM across Baltimore City neighborhoods including Broadway East, Greenmount West, Hollins Market, Oliver, Park Heights, Reservoir Hill, Roland Park, and Seton Hill. Currently, Blank Slate has 11 units under construction with a total value of $2.6MM. Mr. Aaron is responsible for raising capital, guiding project vision and design as well as representing the company at community events and meetings. Alex earned a B.B.A in Finance from Howard University. He currently resides in Baltimore City with his wife and two sons.

Khalil Uqdah has rehabilitated vacant and blighted properties for residential resale since 2012. His extensive knowledge of tax credits, grants, opportunity zones, and other sources allows for a high-quality, low-cost product to market rate and affordable homes buyers. Mr. Uqdah is part of the development team at Charm City Buyers and a lead on Henderson Crossing, a $15M for-sale residential development consisting of 50+ units located in East Baltimore. He is also a developer on The Packing House, a $24M adaptive reuse and historic preservation project involving higher education, emerging industries, and the investment community. By removing vacant and blighted properties without displacing current residents, Mr. Uqdah leverages his knowledge of creative financing to create community. Mr. Uqdah continues to oversee a portfolio of 20+ rental units in Baltimore, MD and Hartford, CT.