On Oct. 19, at the scenic LeMont Restaurant the first Real Estate Gala was held. Lotus Real Estate and Pittsburgh Minority Real Estate Group (PMRG) welcomed nearly 200 guests and introduced them to their mission to empower and encourage youth, small businesses and communities to build wealth and make a difference.
PMRG was formed to help change the effects of gentrification in our communities. As a part of their inaugural event PMRG recognized Workforce Development Global Alliance (WDGA) as their first beneficiary for their efforts in making a difference in the borough of Homestead and Kenya. Yvonne Furlonge, WDGA Chairperson and Archie L. Dennis IV accepted the honor.
Also on this evening, David Lewis was recognized as a community leader. Lewis, now emeritus professor at Carnegie Mellon University, was the founder in 1964 of Urban Design Associates (UDA), a nationally renowned and pioneering urban design firm that practices in the spirit of participatory design.
Chuck Sanders was also honored. Sanders is the founder of Urban Settlement Services. Today, the company is known as Urban Leading Solutions (ULS) and is one of the most highly rated privately held vendor management companies and a certified minority business enterprise providing real estate information products to the mortgage industry. These inaugural awards were created to recognize legendary leaders who have demonstrated PMRG’s mission and commitment to build people and build communities.