The Opportunity
- Amplify Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund $2 Billion initiative.
- Showcase that affordable housing is not just about brick and mortar but about the community and creating a pipeline of those who are creating those communities.
Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund announced a $137 million investment in affordable housing in Washington, DC, alongside Mayor Muriel Bowser. To highlight the work of the Fund a press and community event needed to be created managed and executed. The goal was to bring the Fund to the community in tangible ways that show a real impact on DC residents. Efficiently executed the press conference, ensuring coverage in the Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, and WHUR radio.
Following the conference, a post-lunch reception was held with local officials, DC agency representatives, and affordable housing partners in attendance. Bald Cypress expertly managed the entire production, including logistics, vendor coordination, and event elements. Emphasizing the importance of community engagement, we chose East of the River Steel Band to entertain guests, adding a unique and memorable touch to the event.
The Work
DOT created messaging, collateral materials, and events that served as vehicles to highlight the work that Amazon is doing in the affordable housing space. Focusing on Amazon’s “hometown” communities of Seattle, Nashville, and Arlington/Washington, DC we developed a roadshow that consisted of a two-day event in those markets. This two-day event provided Amazon Real Estate Fellows an opportunity to hear from real estate developers and elected officials in selected markets and the following day tour affordable housing developments and hear firsthand from the developers.
The Outcome
These “roadshows” are creating pipelines of real estate developers of color who have access to development expertise and peers. A digital end of the program report was created and a 2-minute video on the Amazon Fellows was produced by DOT Communications.
