Two Black Women Drive Cleveland’s Affordable Housing Boom

In Cleveland, Ohio, two remarkable Black women are making significant strides in addressing the critical need for affordable housing. Shelia Wright and Angela Thi Bennett, the co-owners of Frontline Development Group, have embarked on a mission to foster real estate development that not only provides housing but also enhances wealth generation within their community.

Transforming Cleveland’s East Side

Their first major project, Gordon Crossing, is a mixed-income apartment building located on Cleveland’s East 101st Street. Tenants began moving into the development in 2026, marking a significant achievement for Wright (Frontline president) and Bennett (vice president and general counsel), who are deeply invested in creating better opportunities for their community, starting with the fundamental need for housing.

Wright and Bennett, both successful women with MBA and law degrees who grew up on Cleveland’s East Side, launched Frontline Development Group in 2018. They represent a rare segment of the real estate industry, as Black real estate developers constitute only about 0.40% in the United States. Their commitment is particularly impactful in historically disinvested Black neighborhoods like Central, Hough, and Fairfax.

People Development Through Real Estate

Frontline Development Group’s mission extends beyond just building structures; it’s about “people development,” as Bennett puts it. They are committed to ensuring that minority contractors and workers are included in all their projects, fostering economic participation within the community. “These are our people. We’re going to make sure that they’re able to economically participate in this development,” Bennett stated.

Their dedication is evident in the high demand for their projects. Over 1,300 people applied for the 54 units at Gordon Crossing. Their next development, Gateway 66, is an 80-unit mixed-income apartment complex planned for the Hough neighborhood, with construction set to begin in August. This project will include units for both working-class and middle-class renters, addressing the significant demand for affordable housing in the city.