Dorchester Bay EDC highlights new leader at its annual dinner

The Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (EDC) held its 37th annual fundraiser on June 9 at the Shirley Eustis House in Roxbury. Jodi-Tatiana Charles of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce opened the ceremony with a warm welcome of guests to the event and the Eustis House gave them tours of the historical house.

The fundraiser also served as a great introduction for Dorchester Bay’s new CEO, Perry B. Newman, who previously served as the senior director of Israel advocacy at Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

“My vision for Dorchester Bay is to continue our legacy of creative and impactful real estate development, deep community engagement, service to our residents and neighborhoods, and helping to spur economic growth through access to capital and entrepreneurship,” Newman told the gathering.

Dorchester Bay builds and preserves affordable rental and owner occupied homes while also providing more than $7.5 million in small business and home improvement loans.

“Our Indigo Block project, for example, just approved by the BRA, will not only feature 80 units of rental affordable housing and nine home ownership units, but will also feature 20,000 square feet of light industrial/commercial space, alongside the MBTA Uphams Corner station,” Newman said.

“We’ll be able to foster economic activity and support job creation right on the Fairmount line while creating new housing opportunities,” he added, “so that people from our area and from elsewhere along the Fairmount line will be able to get to and from work easily.”

The night was topped with the recognition of two honorees for their exemplary dedication to the improvement and growth in the community and the lasting impact of their work: Greg Janey, president and CEO of Janey Construction Management and Consulting, Inc., and Devid Lee, president and Managing Director of Stull and Lee, were praised and presented with awards.

“Gregory Janey and Janey Construction played an important role as construction manager on our Quincy Heights project,” said Newman. “Moreover, we worked closely with Greg when he served as head of the Mass. Minority Contractors Association to increase minority labor participation in our projects, including the Bornstein & Pearl Food Production facility. Working together, and following Greg’s leadership, we have helped to move the needle on minority hiring on construction projects across many CDCs.”

Newman also recognized Lee as “an example of professional excellence” in architecture and design. “We wanted to highlight his role not only as a creative force, but also as a nurturer of talent. At his own firm and at other firms in Boston, those who have been mentored by David are today successful architects and designers. David is helping to build professional capacity for the future, which is very much consonant with our efforts to develop leadership capabilities in our own communities and with young people in particular’.”

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation is an integral cornerstone of the community. Its commitment to the neighborhood is extensive and includes the development of Uphams Dudley Reentry Program, the first CDC-based and award-winning reentry program to support ex-offenders return to their communities.

To learn more about the programs offered through Dorchester Bay EDC, visit dbedc.org.

Chanie Infante Louisma is a Dorchester resident with a passion for working with people. She is involved with several community programs and writes about her experiences in Boston at her blog ,LifeByZen.

You can connect with her on Twitter @LifeByZen.