The intensive training program has helped more than 250 real estate developers nationwide to grow their businesses and focus on community-centric development.
May 13, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – After nine months of training, 15 emerging real estate developers from across Greater Atlanta have graduated from Capital Impact Partners’ inaugural EDI Real Estate Development Program in Atlanta, which is designed to help them become more involved in the region’s booming real estate market.
The free EDI Real Estate Development Program launched in Atlanta in August 2024 after successfully graduating more than 250 real estate developers in Detroit; Washington, D.C.; the San Francisco Bay Area; Dallas; Austin; and Cleveland.
EDI developers receive the tools they need as they enter the industry and grow their businesses — including training, technical assistance, mentorship, networking, and potential pathways for financing.
“The program has been instrumental in helping me sharpen both my strategy and execution as a real estate developer,” said Ashley Davis, a real estate developer from the Atlanta region who just completed the program. “I gained access to industry insights, networking opportunities, and technical expertise that has allowed me to better structure deals, navigate the development processes, and identify creative financing solutions — especially for affordable housing projects.”
The real estate developers emerge from the program with a greater ability to lead community-centric development. Combined with their existing local expertise and connections, these developers are now better positioned to create more affordable housing and other real estate projects that reflect the needs and desires of community members.
“Real estate is very local,” said Derrick Holland, a real estate developer from the Atlanta region who also completed the program. “Developers or strong local partners who have their boots on the ground are able to fully understand the needs of the community. It’s very important in the work we do to go into a community in a respectful manner and program our development so that it ties in with the community’s existing assets.”
There is a particular need for more affordable housing. From 2010 to 2020, more than 800,000 people moved to the Atlanta region, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy. Home prices in Atlanta’s five-county core have increased by 73% since 2017, according to a study by KB Advisory Group and Urban Land Institute Atlanta (PDF). Rent prices have also increased significantly, by 33%, and the five-county region has lost 130,000 units that had been priced at less than $1,000 per month.
The program’s 15 alumni are seeking to develop real estate in the city of Atlanta, as well as Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, or Gwinnett counties:
- Ray Acosta, Dacula
- Miles Alexander III, Jonesboro
- Terry Brantley III, Atlanta
- Shelita Compton, Kennesaw
- Aaron Davis, Decatur
- Ashley Davis, Mableton
- Majesty Gayle, Atlanta
- Derrick Holland, Tucker
- Tomond Jack, Decatur
- Michael Oden, Marietta
- Marissa Phipps, Tucker
- Melvin Phillips, Atlanta
- Lester Simpson, College Park
- Raven Thompson, Atlanta
- Ramon Tookes, Atlanta
“When I started the program, I had the passion and foundational experience, but I lacked some of the targeted resources and relationships needed to take my projects to the next level,” said Ashley Davis. “Today, I feel empowered with a stronger network, clearer roadmap, and the tools to pursue larger-scale developments with intentionality and impact.”
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About Momentus Capital
The Momentus Capital branded family of organizations refers to the combined operations of Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance, as well as their affiliates, Momentus Direct Capital, and Momentus Securities (an SEC-registered broker-dealer, MSRB-registered, FINRA/SIPC member). While each organization under the Momentus Capital brand still operates as a separate entity, its clients now have access to more resources and products.
The Momentus Capital branded family of organizations is transforming how capital and investments flow into communities to provide people access to the capital and opportunities they deserve. We are working to reinvent traditional financial systems by offering a continuum of financial, knowledge, and social capital to help entrepreneurs, community-based organizations, and local leaders at every growth stage to build strong communities and create generational wealth.
This includes a comprehensive package of loan products, impact investment opportunities, training and business advising programs, and technology solutions that advance locally-led solutions.
Leveraging more than 80 years of combined experience, more than $3 billion in assets under management, and strong community engagement, the Momentus Capital branded family of organizations has delivered $24 billion in financing, created and preserved 298,000 jobs, and served 14,350 small businesses and 6 million people across our history.
With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and San Diego, California, Momentus Capital operates nationally with a focus on larger urban areas and cities in Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Texas, and the Washington D.C. metro area.
Learn more at momentuscap.org.
About Capital Impact Partners
Capital Impact Partners, part of the Momentus Capital branded family of organizations, is transforming how capital and investments flow into communities to provide people with access to the capital and opportunities they deserve. As one of the nation’s leading mission-driven Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), we help build strong communities and create generational wealth by deploying mission-driven financing, capacity-building programs, and impact investing opportunities.
Capital Impact Partners offers flexible financing for catalytic mission-aligned projects in four primary sectors: increasing access to health care, education, affordable housing, and healthy food.
In addition, we manage several multi-year initiatives in key regions to support emerging developers, small business owners, cooperatives, and community health enterprises through training, professional networks, access to experts and mentors, and pathways to grants and loan capital.
Capital Impact Partners has disbursed more than $3 billion since 1982 to create access to critical social services, grow entrepreneurs, and create quality jobs. Capital Impact Partners’ leadership in delivering financial and social impact has resulted in the organization being rated by S&P Global and Fitch Ratings and recognized by Aeris for its performance.
The Momentus Capital branded family of organizations refers to the combined operations of Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance, as well as their affiliates, Momentus Direct Capital and Momentus Securities (an SEC-registered broker-dealer, MSRB-registered, FINRA/SIPC member). While each organization under the Momentus Capital brand still operates as a separate entity, their clients will now have access to more resources and products.
With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and San Diego, California, Momentus Capital operates nationally with a focus on larger urban areas and cities in Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Texas, and the Washington D.C. metro area.
Learn more at capitalimpact.org and momentuscap.org.
