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T.D. Jakes To Build Affordable Housing Developments In South Florida

T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures and New Urban Development announced a partnership on Dec. 12 to build two affordable housing developments in South Florida, according to a joint statement about the venture.

One of the developments, located in Hallandale Beach, about 20 miles north of Miami, is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2024. The multifamily, mixed-income development features 200 units on five acres at the center of a historic Black community with limited affordable housing options.

The second property will be a senior living development in Miami Gardens. It will have 150 units on seven acres, featuring a clubhouse and walking trails.

“Florida continues to grow and the need for more living options is at an all-time high,” said Marcus Dawson, managing partner of T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures.

The Dallas-based real estate company implements non-denominational pastor and founder of The Potter’s House Bishop T.D. Jakes’ vision of creating attainable and sustainable communities. Its recently launched comprehensive community development platform focuses on economic development, job training and education.

“It is our mission to create the necessary alliances that help address the most glaring issues like affordable housing,” Dawson continued. “New Urban Development shares our vision for community transformation for seniors and underserved populations, and their accomplishments in South Florida model what development should look like in our communities.”

New Urban Development, founded in 2005, is the real estate development affiliate of the Urban League of Greater Miami. According to the press release, New Urban Development is Miami’s largest Black-owned real estate developer, focusing on revitalizing South Florida neighborhoods.

“We all believe in a holistic approach to community revitalization that values transformation over transactions and incorporates education programs, financial literacy and other resources to residents.”

In April, Jakes announced a 10-year partnership between the T.D. Jakes Group and Wells Fargo on CBS Mornings. The bank has committed up to $1 billion to fund various community development projects.

“The future looks very bleak, particularly for minorities,” Jakes said. “Black people, Brown people and also poor White people who are finding it difficult, workforce people, to find a job, to find opportunities to get housing, to get upward mobility.”

Jakes’ inaugural project with Wells Fargo is a mixed-income housing development with retail facilities on 95 acres outside Atlanta on former U.S. Army base Fort McPherson.

Bishop T.D. Jakes is continuing to take action in real estate. As previously reported by AFROTECH, the senior pastor of The Potter’s House is behind T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, which works to create affordable housing across the U.S.

On Dec. 12, the Dallas, TX-based company announced that it has partnered with New Urban Development, “Miami’s largest Black-owned real estate developer,” according to a press release. As a way to tackle the housing crisis in South Florida, T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures and New Urban Development are set to build two affordable housing developments, one in Hallandale Beach, FL, and one in Miami Gardens, FL.

“Florida continues to grow and the need for more living options is at an all-time high,” Marcus Dawson, managing partner of T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, shared in a press statement. “It is our mission to create the necessary alliances that help address the most glaring issues like affordable housing. New Urban Development shares our vision for community transformation for seniors and underserved populations, and their accomplishments in South Florida model what development should look like in our communities.”

The press release shares that in Hallandale Beach, the construction will be for a multifamily, mixed-income development consisting of 200 units, while the Miami Gardens project will be for senior citizens and have 150 units.

“The relationships and access to funding sources through T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures will help us expand the work we’ve been doing to improve the housing options in overlooked and underserved neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas,” Oliver Gross, president of New Urban Development, said. “We all believe in a holistic approach to community revitalization that values transformation over transactions and incorporates education programs, financial literacy and other resources to residents.”

So far, the Hallandale development is set to start in the beginning of 2024.

DALLAS—December 12, 2023 – T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, LLC (TDJREV), a real estate company leading the creation of healthy and sustainable communities in a global marketplace, today announced a partnership with New Urban Development, Miami’s largest Black-owned real estate developer, to build two affordable housing developments in Hallandale Beach, Fla., and Miami Gardens, Fla. The strategic partnership signifies a concerted effort to provide affordable housing for in-need areas of South Florida while also helping to revitalize and stabilize the communities. This project is the continuation of Chairman T.D. Jakes’ push to create affordable, accessible housing nationwide for those who need it most.

“Florida continues to grow and the need for more living options is at an all-time high,” said Marcus Dawson, managing partner of T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures. “It is our mission to create the necessary alliances that help address the most glaring issues like affordable housing. New Urban Development shares our vision for community transformation for seniors and underserved populations, and their accomplishments in South Florida model what development should look like in our communities.”

As Miami’s largest Black-owned real estate developer and real estate development affiliate of The Urban League of Greater Miami, New Urban Development has been revitalizing neighborhoods in South Florida for nearly two decades. The company has facilitated the development of more than 13 housing projects including multi-family and senior living units.

“The relationships and access to funding sources through T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures will help us expand the work we’ve been doing to improve the housing options in overlooked and underserved neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas,” said Oliver Gross, president of New Urban Development. “We all believe in a holistic approach to community revitalization that values transformation over transactions and incorporates education programs, financial literacy and other resources to residents.”

The multifamily, mixed-income development located in Hallandale Beach will feature 200 units on five acres, located at the center of an historic African American community with limited affordable housing options. The development is expected to break ground in Q1 2024.

The senior living development in Miami Gardens will consist of 150 units on seven acres. Located adjacent to Miami Gardens Senior Family Center, this will be the first housing complex developed for seniors in Miami Gardens and will feature a clubhouse and walking trails. The City of Miami Gardens awarded the land to New Urban Development to complement the existing senior recreation center while Miami-Dade County awarded funding for the housing development.

“It is my absolute honor to welcome the partnership between T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures and New Urban Development to Miami-Dade County,” said Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. “Their joint venture in Miami Gardens exemplifies a purposeful commitment to not only create housing options but to create an environment tailored to the unique needs of our senior residents, embodying a vision of dignity, comfort, and community.”

TDJREV established a development in Dallas called Capella Park, which is a master planned community spearheaded in 2007. TDJREV is also slated to break ground on Ft. MacPherson, a former U.S. Army base in Atlanta, which will be transformed into mixed-income housing, businesses, and a master planned community. Similar developments are planned for Chicago, Houston and other areas across the country.

Nationwide affordable housing is a top concern for all Americans, but particularly, African Americans and those living on the margins of society. Recent reports show the Black homeownership rate was 45% in 2022, 30% lower than White households, making the gap wider than it was 50 years ago. In addition to soaring interest rates and home prices plaguing all homebuyers, other obstacles to Black homeownership still include discriminatory public and private housing policies that hinder Blacks from being approved for loans, the devastating impact of student loan debt, which disproportionately impacts Black women, and the wage gap where Black employees are still paid substantially less for equal work.

About T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures
TDJREV is a Dallas-based real estate company dedicated to implementing T.D. Jakes’ vision of creating attainable and sustainable communities in a global marketplace and developing 21st Century solutions to address rudimentary needs in targeted communities with a focus on economic development, job training, financial literacy and education enrichment. Its real estate portfolio includes Capella Park, a 400-plus acre community in south Dallas that includes single-family homes, live-work space and a pre k-8 school.

About New Urban Development
Founded in 2005 as the housing development affiliate of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc., New Urban Development’s primary responsibility is the financing, acquisition, development, construction oversight and asset management of the myriad of commercial and residential housing developments owned and/or managed by the Urban League of Greater Miami and its subsidiary entities. New Urban Development transforms dwellings into homes, homes into neighborhoods, and neighborhoods into opportunities.

Recently, the T.D. Jakes Foundation opened the door of opportunity to over 1,500 job seekers by providing them with career advancing opportunities, resources, and knowledge. On October 7, the T.D. Jakes Foundation continued enriching under-served communities through education and workforce development at their You’re Hired Fall 2023 hiring mixer and with a special Disruptive Conversations panel.

In an effort to close the employment gap, global leader, T.D. Jakes and Paul Quinn College President, Dr. Michael Sorrell led a unique discussion alongside Workforce Dallas Development Czar, Lynn McBee. The discussion addressed real world solutions to confidently navigate the obstacles faced with the rise of AI, acquiring tech skills, and underrepresentation in the tech industry.

As the landscape of technology and artificial intelligence (A.I.) rapidly evolves, it has the potential to usher in both uncharted possibilities and professions that can propel our society for- ward. But, the emergence of novel tech and A.I. presents a double-edged sword: not all groups will be seamlessly integrated into this transformative wave. Without targeted support and equitable access to workplace training and development, under- served communities risk being left behind and miss- ing out on the jobs that will drive the future economy. The panel illuminated the ways all socio-economic demographics can succeed and help the audience adapt their skills to flourish in the face of rapid workforce change.

As part of their Fall Hiring Mixer, 40 companies including but not limited to H.D. Supply, State Farm, FC Dallas, Bank of America, Amazon and many more were present. Many companies conducted on-the-spot hiring and provided job seekers with life-changing employment opportunities like headshots, laptop give-a-ways, interview prep and more.

The T.D. Jakes Foundation’s work in the community will continue through intervention services, job training, educational and aftercare programs. This event is one of many opportunities the foundation strives to elevate and integrate services, including job skills, training, and support to transform lives so those in need can navigate a maze of programs and bureaucracies.
To learn more about what the T.D. Jakes Foundation is doing visit: https://tdjfoundation.org/

WHO: Panelists: T.D. Jakes Foundation Chairman T.D. Jakes, Dallas Mayor Eric
Johnsonand Paul Quinn College President Dr. Michael Sorrell will explore
significant topics affecting today’s workers.

Moderator: WFAA Reporter, Rebecca Lopez

WHAT: Disruptive Conversation Panel: Based on the New York Times best-selling
book ‘Disruptive Thinking: A Strategy to Change How We Live, Lead and Love’
,this exclusive conversation will discuss the future of the workforce and
disruptive topics like AI and how to navigate an ever-changing work landscape
successfully. The panel will illuminate the ways all socio economic
demographics can succeed and help the audience adapt their skills to flourish
in the face of rapid workforce change.

Open to the public; $50 admission. Disruptive Conversation registration here.

Hiring Mixer: In collaboration with Workforce Dallas, The Dallas Mavericks,
and Truist Bank the highly-anticipated annual event aims to add to the 26,000+
jobs added to the Texas economy in recent weeks. Including more than 40
companies like HD Supply, State Farm, FC Dallas and more conducting on-the-
spot hiring and providing job seekers with life-changing employment
opportunities.

Includes resources for those who need assistance with transportation,
childcare, health care and financial literacy.
Hiring mixer made possible by Workforce Dallas, The Dallas Mavericks, Truist Bank, and support from State Farm

WHEN: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Disruptive Conversation Panel: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Hiring Mixer: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: The P.L.A.C.E at The Potter’s House of Dallas
6777 W Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75236

WHY: As the landscape of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly evolves, it
has the potential to usher in both uncharted possibilities––and professions––
that can propel our society forward. But the emergence of novel tech and AI
presents a double-edged sword: not all groups will be seamlessly integrated
into this transformative wave. Without targeted support and equitable access
to workplace training and development, underserved communities’ risk being
left behind and missing out on the jobs that will drive the future economy. T.D.
Jakes Foundation provides a helping hand, guiding those in need through
intervention services, job training, educational and aftercare programs. The
foundation aims to elevate and integrates services, including job skills, training
and support to transform lives and enrich communities so those in need aren’t
left to their own devices to navigate a maze of programs and bureaucracies.

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Speakers on stage and posed
On site event photos with jobseekers
B-Roll available upon request
Interviews available with:

Kelley Cornish, President & CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation
Others available upon request

ABOUT T.D. JAKES FOUNDATION

T.D. Jakes Foundation is building bridges by unlocking the power of global competition
through workforce training that prepares workers to compete in today’s economy through
STEM/STEAM education, financial literacy and inclusion, and a laser focus to close the racial
wealth gap and support minority women in corporate leadership. For more than 40 years,
T.D. Jakes has connected diverse communities across socio-economic divides. The
Foundation harnesses decades of resources and connections to prepare people for success
in the 21st-century workforce, lift underserved populations and connect corporations to new,
highly skilled pools of talent amid increasing global competition. For additional information
visit: https://tdjfoundation.org/

Broadway Dallas, Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) and a consortium of generous underwriters announced today a district-wide STEAM education program themed around the Broadway musical BEETLEJUICE.

Over the course of multiple weeks, 3,400 theatre students and teachers from 26 Dallas ISD High Schools will participate in specially created curriculum that relates to the production, taught in classrooms by Broadway Dallas teaching artists. As part of the lesson plan all the participating students and teachers will attend a dedicated performance of BEETLEJUICE at the Music Hall at Fair Park, where the show will play from February 20 – March 3, 2024.

The program was borne of a growing partnership between Broadway Dallas and Dallas ISD, which strives to provide students access to “the spirit of Broadway” through a wide array of programs and initiatives. The program has previously featured the national tours of HAMILTON in 2021 and AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS in 2022.

This year, the curriculum was developed to prepare students for college and 21st-century careers and includes a sequence of lesson plans where students will learn the art and science of hand drafting, which in the theater is used for scenic design. Through hand-drafting, students will apply basic principles of scales, measurement units, and physics, thus developing fundamental skills can be transferred to the construction, engineering, and architecture industries.

“We believe that access to live theater can be life-changing and being able to offer students an opportunity to see a Broadway show, many for the first time, is what we value most,” says Ken Novice, president and CEO of Broadway Dallas. “We take great pride in this program as it extends the theater experience into classrooms with a customized curriculum relating to each production. This year, BEETLEJUICE is the perfect match for our students as they learn about scenic design because it’s a visual spectacle we couldn’t be more excited to share with our Dallas ISD students and teachers.”

“The immersive learning opportunity our students will receive is an integral part of their educational journey,” said Executive Director of Academic Enrichment and Support Scott Rudes. “Exploring the captivating realm of live theater production under the guidance of experts, all the while honing vital 21st-century skills, is a profound blessing. We graciously thank Broadway Dallas and their partners, for providing a truly unforgettable learning experience.”

T.D. Jakes Foundation is a Dallas-based nonprofit that focuses on being the bridge connecting underrepresented communities with life-changing opportunities. The Foundation, as an extension of its STEAM Academy, joins Broadway Dallas again this year as the presenting sponsor of the program through a special partnership with the Dallas Mavericks.

“The work of our foundation is unwaveringly committed to reshaping the future for under championed communities by prioritizing education and workforce development. By infusing insights about STEAM into education we are ensuring students are equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow,” said T.D. Jakes, Chairman of T.D. Jakes Foundation. “Our collaboration with Dallas Independent School District and Broadway Dallas exemplifies the transformative impact we aim for. I believe students can only aspire to what they’ve been exposed to, and through this program, we’re igniting the potential in countless young lives guiding them towards career paths they might not have considered otherwise. With our partners, we are building a stronger tomorrow, one that empowers and uplifts every individual in in Dallas and beyond.”

The Foundation and the Dallas Mavericks are excited to continue their multi-year partnership that expands opportunities and enables more young people to explore STEAM education and careers. The Dallas Mavericks’ sponsorship fits with its larger MavsTakeACTION! program, which is designed to address racial inequalities, promote social justice, and drive change within the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Additional project funding is being provided by the Addy Foundation, Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, H-E-B/Central Market, and the Dallas Education Foundation.

Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!

BEETLEJUICE is directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Director of Warner Bros. forthcoming TOTO, the animated musical film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark’s 2017 book) with an original score by Tony Award nominee Eddie Perfect (King Kong); a book by Tony Award nominee Scott Brown (“Castle Rock”) and Tony and Emmy Award nominee Anthony King (“Robbie”); music supervision, orchestrations and incidental music by Kris Kukul (Joan of Arc: Into the Fire); and choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom).

BEETLEJUICE features scenic design by three-time Tony Award nominee David Korins (Hamilton); costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (The Producers); lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Kinky Boots); sound design by Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski (Moulin Rouge!); projection design by Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen); puppet design by Drama Desk Award winner Michael Curry (The Lion King); special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), hair and wig design by Drama Desk Award nominee Charles G. LaPointe; make-up design by Joe Dulude II; associate director is Catie Davis and associate choreographer is Michael Fatica; casting by The Telsey Office.

Producers for BEETLEJUICE include Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions and NETworks Presentations.

BEETLEJUICE opened at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre on Thursday, April 25, 2019, presented by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures (Mark Kaufman) and Langley Park Productions (Kevin McCormick), and won the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for David Korins’ scenic design and was nominated for eight Tony Awards including Best New Musical. BEETLEJUICE had a history making run on Broadway – following the release of the musicals original Broadway cast recording and Tony Awards appearance, the box office exploded, making it the surprise hit of the 2018/2019 season. BEETLEJUICE’s Tony Awards performance has gone on to be the most watched musical number from the broadcast with over 3,921,530 views. BEETLEJUICE became a sensation with fans everywhere including on TikTok, which lead to an additional burst of ticket sales from a new audience for Broadway, making the musical one of the top grossing shows on Broadway, going on to break the Winter Garden box office record. The smash hit musical BEETLEJUICE played 366 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway before being shuttered with the rest of Broadway on March 12, 2020. BEETLEJUICE returned triumphantly to Broadway with performances on April 8, 2022, at the Marquis Theatre where it continues to haunt Broadway through January 8, 2023.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS and WARNER RECORDS released BEETLEJUICE – ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING for digital download, streaming and on CD. The album is produced by Tony Award winner Matt Stine, Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Tony nominee Eddie Perfect and three-time Grammy Award winner Kurt Deutsch and has surpassed 250 million streams in the United States and 760 million streams globally. These landmark numbers continue the remarkable success of the album, reaching the list of top 10 most streamed OBCRs of the previous decade. The show’s songs have placed in Spotify’s “Viral 50” charts in 13 different countries. In addition, “Say My Name,” one of the show’s breakout showstoppers, was chosen as Amazon’s “Alexa Song of the Day” in 2019. The incredible growth is partly a result of user-generated content on TikTok, where songs from the album have been used in over one million videos.

BEETLEJUICE is based on the 1988 Academy Award-winning Geffen Company motion picture presented by Warner Bros. and directed by Tim Burton. The smash hit comedy starred Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder with story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson.

In 2022, Dallas Summer Musicals changed its name to Broadway Dallas. Since 1941, the non-profit Broadway Dallas has presented the Best of Broadway to North Texas audiences. Located in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park, Broadway Dallas promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of North Texas and the Southwest Region.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Broadway Dallas relies on a variety of funding sources to offer affordable ticket prices, preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and develop impactful community programs.

Broadway Dallas gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors, annual fund donors and corporate partners Germania Insurance, American Airlines, Texas Instruments, The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA TV Channel 8. For more information about Broadway Dallas, visit our website at BroadwayDallas.org.

The Dallas Independent School District sits in the heart of a large, diverse and dynamic region with a metropolitan population of 6.5 million people in the 12 counties in North Central Texas. Dallas ISD comprises 384 square miles and encompasses the cities of Dallas, Cockrell Hill, Seagoville, Addison, Wilmer, Hutchins and parts of Carrollton, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Garland, Highland Park, Lancaster, Mesquite, Balch Springs, and Combine. The district is the second-largest public school district in the state and the 16th-largest in the nation.

We are proud of our award-winning schools, outstanding teachers and staff, committed parents and volunteers who comprise the dedicated team that serves approximately 145,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, in 230 schools, served by 22,000 dedicated professionals.

Founded by Chairman T.D. Jakes in 2020, T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building bridges to opportunity for underserved populations in the United States and around the world. The Foundation aims to create a generational legacy of success for those it serves by providing access to the skills and resources needed for success in the modern workplace and forging partnerships with private companies, nonprofits, and public organizations to amplify the impact of every initiative. Building on Chairman Jakes’ 45 years of connecting diverse communities across socio-economic divides, TDJF is focused on uplifting communities, educating people of all ages on STEAM subjects, and connecting corporations to new, highly-skilled pools of talent amid increasing global competition. For more information, visit: www.tdjfoundation.org.

The Dallas Mavericks are a first-class global sports and entertainment organization providing memorable experiences for fans worldwide. The Mavs compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference and play at American Airlines Center under the direction of Coach Jason Kidd, General Manager Nico Harrison, CEO Cynt Marshall and Governor MARK CUBAN. Since the inaugural season in 1980- 81, the Mavs have won four division titles, two conference championships and one NBA championship in 2011. In addition to on-court success, the Mavs are committed to making a difference in North Texas through community programs and the Mavs Foundation. For more information on Dallas Mavericks players, staff, stats and tickets, visit mavs.com