Episode 11: Culture as a Revitalizing Force
As we continue our 2024 journey of listening to and learning from idea agents and change-makers, we will be joined over the following few conversations by cultural ‘activists’ who have used their insights and platforms to change neighborhoods, communities, and the lived experience for many through investment, art, and philanthropy.
In this episode, we engage in a deeply personal and inspirational conversation with Derek Fleming, a Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors. Derek shares his journey from studying economics and real estate management to working on urban renewal efforts in complex, diverse, and economically challenged communities throughout the United States. We also hear from Derek as he charts the experience as one of the driving forces behind Red Rooster, one of the nation’s most critically acclaimed restaurants and cultural spaces.
Derek connects the personal to the professional from growing up in Compton to present-day New York City and all the spaces and places in between, coloring the pivotal role of culture and lived experience in edifying and building ‘belonging’ spaces through real estate, emphasizing the importance of hard work, authenticity, and faith in the pursuit of passion and living out his dreams.
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Show Notes
Derek Fleming brings over 20 years of experience managing public-private developments that create value and preserve community culture. His expertise centers on deal structuring, negotiations, capital raising, business development strategies, and community engagement.
Derek is playing a leadership role as a Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors, joining many in grappling with how, as the inequitable economic effects of COVID-19 persist, policymakers will ensure that the recovery creates a new paradigm for equity in urban redevelopment. He is leveraging his deep expertise and proven delivery to realign approaches to development in communities of color, where he focuses on crafting deals that assure successful outcomes for all.
Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:
Derek connects the personal richness of his formative years in Los Angeles and Oakland to the manifestation of how he uses real estate to edify the culture in economically challenged communities.
Derek’s reflections on Black culture and its value in building a more representative experience for America, as demonstrated through myriad revitalization efforts across the country.
Derek highlights the importance of being passionate and authentic in your work and the power that has to change lives.
and more…
More About Derek Fleming:
LinkedIn: Derek Fleming | Instagram: Derek Fleming | Online: HR&A Advisors Website
Transcript
More Elephant Intro
[00:00:38] Jason Rudman: Welcome to the latest More Elephant podcast. Today, I'm in conversation with Derek Fleming, Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors and recently named by Crains New York as one of its 2023 notable Black leaders.
The excitement I have about this conversation is because we're going to go deep on culture and representation and lived experience and, specifically, about edifying culture through real estate. Derek has a unique and deep focus on real estate and urban renewal in complex, economically challenged communities. His story, what he has worked on, the ideas that he has had, and the change that he has demonstrated in a number of cities throughout America is a story worth listening to.
So, Derek, welcome to the More Elephant podcast. I'm thrilled you're here.
[00:01:38] Derek Fleming: Thank you, Jason. It's great to be here.
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