Graduation day began with a warm welcome and breakfast, followed by a series of developer pitch presentations. The afternoon offered space to network and reflect, capped off with a powerful keynote by Alfred Fraijo Jr., Founder and Partner at Somos Group.
“I want you to see your own knowledge and experience as a secret weapon, one that can empower a whole new generation of business innovators and community activists,” said Alfred Fraijo Jr., “Programs like B.U.I.L.D. help break down barriers and expand economic and social equity.”
Through the B.U.I.L.D. Incubator, developers gained exposure to financing strategies outside of traditional Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), including bond financing and alternative capital sources. The program paired technical assistance with direct access to funders committed to supporting community-based development.
“In order to house all of our neighbors — not only in Los Angeles, but across California — we must have a bold vision,” said Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President & CEO of The Center. “That means stepping back from the day-to-day grind to identify the creative capital resources and partners that can turn ideas into homes.”
The Center is grateful to its funders and partners, U.S. Bank, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, and California Community Builders, for making the B.U.I.L.D. Incubator possible.
“U.S. Bank is proud to partner with The Center to support B.U.I.L.D. and help developers explore expanded financing opportunities and build stronger, more sustainable communities,” said Kate Wu, Assistant Vice President, Business Success Advisor at U.S. Bank.
“Our collaboration with The Center and the B.U.I.L.D. program reflects our commitment to growing the next generation of affordable housing developers,” said Tia Boatman Patterson, President & CEO of California Community Reinvestment Corporation, “By backing technical assistance efforts, we’re helping position these emerging leaders, especially in non-LIHTC spaces, for future capital access, while actively working to expand our lending capacity to support them.”
Graduates are walking away with more than just new knowledge — they now have the tools, capital access, and networks to move their developments forward and reshape the housing landscape in communities across California. Many are already applying what they’ve learned to real-world projects, demonstrating that with the right support, small-scale developers can lead large-scale change.
July 31, 2025