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Four members were elected to Project REAP‘s board, the leading initiative nationwide to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the commercial real estate industry. Among those new members is one with ties to Newark.

Allan Suarez is principal and COO of Harlem-based All Renovation Construction LLC, and co-founder of Newark Foundry Workspaces. His appointment, along with the others, was announced July 14 and effective May 2022.

Suarez is a REAP graduate.

In Harlem, All Renovation Construction is a full-service general contractor for large-scale institutional, commercial and residential projects. Suarez has been with the company since 2012. In Hudson County, Newark Foundry Workspaces – launched in 2017 – began with the revitalization of a blighted mansion dating back to the gilded age. At both organizations, Project REAP said that Suarez is responsible for establishing new relationships with city economic developers, end users and financial institutions to bring business interests together into successful real estate developments.

In response to his participation in The Construct Relief Foundation to help families affected by Hurricane Sandy, Suarez is a recipient of the Salvation Army’s Community Above Self Award.

“I’m excited to welcome these members to the board at this pivotal moment in our 24-year history,” Manikka Bowman, executive director of Project REAP, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “The newly elected slate represents a remarkable mix of top-tier executives and successful entrepreneurs located throughout every region of the U.S. who have pledged ample skills and resources to further REAP’s evolving and expanding nationwide mission and reach. Throughout their careers, each one has committed to achievement not only of professional excellence but toward advancing DEI in the industry and improving the quality of life for the communities and the built environment.”

The three additional members joining the board with Suarez are:

• Audra Cunningham, executive vice president and chief administrative officer – T. Dallas Smith & Co., Atlanta, Ga.
• Khalid Rashid, managing director, Portfolio Manager – Clarion Partners, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Reesa Fischer, managing director, Strategy & Client Solutions, Keller Augusta – Boston, New York City and South Florida

Rashid is also a REAP grad.

In May, the organization added a big-name sponsor: Amazon. Classes for the spring cohort began in April.