Historic District Development Corp CEO Chenee' Joseph Honored by ATLANTA Magazine for Third Year

ATLANTA - Feb. 8, 2023 - PRLog -- Chenee' Joseph, CEO and President of Historic District Development Corp (HDDC), (https://www.hddc.org/about) has been honored for the third consecutive year as one of Atlanta Magazine's "Atlanta 500" in the religion, advocacy, and nonprofits category. This prestigious award, published by ATLANTA Magazine annually, recognizes Atlanta's most influential leaders who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields.

In the 2023 Edition, ATLANTA Magazine's guest editor emphasizes the critical role that Diversity has played in Atlanta's prosperity, and the Atlanta 500 (https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/2023-atlanta-500-religion-nonprofits-advocacy/#nonprofit) issue celebrates the city's diverse and dynamic leadership. This strong sense of inclusiveness and community has been integral to Atlanta's growth and development.

Joseph has been a strong advocate as the spokeswoman for the Historic District and has been a driving force in the revitalization (https://twitter.com/TMOGLOBAL/status/1623014980793602060) of the Auburn Avenue area in Atlanta. This includes the Front Porch project, the first mixed-use development in 15 years. This remarkable 32-million-dollar, community-driven development initiative will include four retail units, 22 affordable co-living rental housing units, and a massive 20,000-square-foot community garden that will help address social and racial inequity through a master-planned, mixed-use development with over 100,000 square feet of green space, retail, and residential units.

In 2019, HDDC breathed new life into the historic Haugabrooks Funeral Home, transforming it into an affordable art gallery for artists and event space. The building was purchased in 1929 by the trailblazing Geneva Haugabrooks, an African American businesswoman. They are also redeveloping the Henderson Place apartments to include 76 affordable units and a community grocery store. Joseph emphasized that safeguarding residents from gentrification and protecting food sustainability are vital pillars of their work.

The Historic District Development Corp., co-founded by Coretta Scott King in 1980, is among Atlanta's oldest community development entities. HDDC was created to maintain the history and cultural value of the area where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was raised.

HDDC has developed over $200 million in properties since its inception 40 years ago. It has operated with low operating costs, with no more than 60% of revenue going toward operating costs. It has served the population of the Old Fourth Ward, with approximately 6k residents in 2021. In the last three years, HDDC has served an estimated 18k people, while the number of people served in its first year is unknown.

Karen Hatcher, CEO and Head Broker of Sovereign Realty + Management and co-Chair of HouseATL's Homeownership Working Group, shares...https://mailchi.mp/0aef0b9adedd/hddccheneejosephatl500ann...