About Us
Team
Mission and Vision
Mission
To advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the commercial real estate industry through education, mentorship, and partnerships.
Vision
Our vision is a commercial real estate industry where diversity thrives, and leaders of color have equal opportunities to influence and lead.
Download Our Impact Report
Learn more about how Project REAP has been diversifying the commercial real estate industry for 25 years.
History of Project REAP
Project REAP (Real Estate Associate Program) was founded in 1997 by Mike Bush, then Vice President of Real Estate for Giant Food, with a mission to increase minority representation in the commercial real estate industry. At a time when less than 2% of management roles were held by ethnic minorities, REAP was created to open doors to professionals of color by providing both the education and, more critically, the industry networks necessary to thrive.
Launched in Washington, D.C. in 1998, the program quickly expanded to major cities across the U.S., including Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. REAP’s unique approach recognizes that, unlike many industries, entry into commercial real estate often depends on who you know, not just what you know. By providing access to industry insiders, firms, and career development through a competitive and selective process, REAP breaks down barriers to entry for minority professionals.
Today, REAP has built a thriving community of over 2,000 alumni who now work at leading firms across the commercial real estate landscape. REAP continues to transform the industry by providing professionals of color with both the knowledge and connections they need to succeed, ensuring that leaders of color have access to the networks that have traditionally been out of reach.
Taneshia Nash Laird
Executive Director, Project REAP
Taneshia Nash Laird is a recognized leader in diversity and inclusion within urban development and the arts. A former city and state official for economic development, Taneshia has not only overseen multifamily housing, commercial office, retail, and light industrial projects, but as both an entrepreneur and a nonprofit CEO, she has also spearheaded the development of culturally significant real estate ventures, such as art galleries and performing arts centers in urban communities. She has successfully navigated public-private financing initiatives to drive economic growth and cultural preservation. Taneshia is also an Associate Professor in the Africana Studies department at Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she shares her expertise in creative entrepreneurship. In addition, she serves on the boards of the National Medal of Arts-winning Billie Holiday Theatre and the National Independent Venue Foundation.
Taneshia holds a BBA from Bernard Baruch College and an MA in Live Entertainment Management from the University of Miami. As Executive Director of Project REAP, she is dedicated to empowering professionals of color to thrive in the real estate industry. She is a proud graduate of the REAP Academy, NYC, 2022.
Board of Directors
Mike Kercheval
Chairman
Executive Director (Retired)
University of Colorado Real Estate Center | Boulder, CO
G. Lamont Blackstone
Past Chairman
Principal, G.L. Blackstone & Associates | Mount Vernon, NY
Erica-Nicole Harris
Vice Chair
Vice President, Wispark LLC | Milwaukee, WI
Jimena Sayavedra
Vice Chair
Industrial Real Estate Specialist, Newmark | Chicago, IL
Khalid Rashid
Treasurer
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Clarion Partners | Los Angeles, CA
Katrina Rainey
Secretary
Director, Site Acquisition & Portfolio, Microsoft | New York, NY
Alan Barocas
Senior Executive Vice President, Leasing (Retired), General Growth Properties | Chicago, IL
Giselle Battley
Global Talent Acquisition & Certified DEI Executive, Yahoo | New Orleans, LA
London Kemp Boykin
Director, World Wide Real Estate Development, Amazon | Los Angeles, CA
Joseph French
Senior Vice President, Institutional Property Advisors/Marcus & Millichap | White Plains, NY
Akil Hameed
CEO/Broker
FASS Real Estate Services | Cleveland, OH
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Sonia L. Huntley
Senior VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Urban Land Institute | Washington, DC
Jazmen Johnson
VP, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, ICSC | Washington, DC
LB Johnson
VP, Health & Wellness Real Estate Development
Walmart | Bentonville
Bob O'Connell
National Real Estate Lead, McDonald's USA | Chicago, IL
Angele Robinson-Gaylord
Senior Vice President, Starbucks | Philadelphia, PA
Allan F. Suarez
Principal & Chief Operating Officer, All Renovations Construction, LLC | New York, NY
Founder
Mike Bush
Founder & Senior Mentor, REAP | Adjunct Professor, Urban Development, Georgetown University | Washington, D.C.
Testimonial
Khalid Rashid
Managing Director, Clarion Partners
REAP Academy NYC, 2006
Board Treasurer, Project REAP
"Project REAP played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory in commercial real estate. As a graduate of the 2006 NYC Academy, REAP provided me with invaluable industry insights and the network I needed to succeed in this competitive field. Today, as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Clarion Partners, I continue to benefit from the foundation that REAP laid. Serving as REAP's board treasurer, I’m proud to give back to the organization that helped me reach new heights and support the next generation of leaders."
Christine Stulak
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Project REAP
With 20 years of experience as an administrative assistant, including 10 years as a virtual assistant at Fancy Hands—the last five of which were spent as a dedicated assistant to CEOs, entrepreneurs, and best-selling authors—Christine Stulak brings exceptional organizational and communication skills to her role at Project REAP. As the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, she provides critical support, ensuring smooth daily operations, managing schedules, and coordinating key communications. Her expertise in time management and attention to detail make her an invaluable asset in supporting Project REAP’s mission to empower leaders of color in the commercial real estate industry.
Christopher L. Chaney
Director of Corporate Partnerships, Project REAP
Christopher L. Chaney is a seasoned corporate sales and media professional with over 20 years of experience in building strategic partnerships that advance organizational missions. At Project REAP, he manages relationships with industry partners, driving support for the organization’s mission to increase diversity in commercial real estate. In his previous roles, he has collaborated with brands like AARP, Walmart, United Airlines, and JP Morgan Chase to create impactful partnerships.
Christopher’s career highlights include organizing prestigious events at the Waldorf Astoria and the New York Stock Exchange, honoring influential leaders and building brand visibility for partners like Jaguar and Moet Hennessy. He also co-founded The Inccubator, a multicultural media platform set to launch in 2025.
A Harlem, NY resident, Christopher is a York College (CUNY) graduate and serves on the board of CONNECT – Safe Families, Peaceful Communities, a nonprofit focused on ending domestic violence in New York City.
De'Andra Onyekwere
Director of Marketing & Communications, Project REAP
De'Andra Onyekwere is a seasoned commercial real estate professional with expertise in market analysis and investment strategy. As the Director of Marketing and communications at Project REAP, she leads efforts to amplify the organization’s mission and brand. De'Andra holds an MBA in Accounting and Business Management and has worked in various leadership roles across the real estate industry. She is a proud graduate of the REAP Academy, Dallas, 2022.
David James
Design Lead, Project REAP
David James brings over a decade of experience in graphic communications and brand development to his role as Design Lead at Project REAP. As the founder of Mokojumbie Design, a boutique design firm, David has helped numerous small businesses and non-profit organizations achieve their marketing goals through impactful design. At Project REAP, he oversees the creation of all marketing collateral, ensuring that the organization's brand and messaging are clear, cohesive, and compelling.
David holds degrees in Engineering, Mathematics, and Art – Graphic Design from Rutgers University, as well as an MA in Graphic Communications Technology Management from Kean University.
Local Planning Directors
In addition to Project REAP’s dedicated staff, we benefit from the support of Alumni Fellows who serve as Local Planning Directors. These leaders play a crucial role in advancing Project REAP’s mission by helping to coordinate and support the program within their respective markets across the country