Finding Strength in Connection
When I left the NFL and stepped fully into the world of real estate development, I quickly realized something: the most successful projects don’t just depend on vision, capital, or even timing. They depend on connection. Relationships are the lifeblood of real estate—relationships with local leaders, small business owners, city officials, other developers, and, most importantly, the communities we hope to serve.
That’s why, from the beginning, Kingsley + Co. has made a conscious effort to plug into the broader ecosystem of our city. One of the ways we’ve done that is through our active involvement in the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Being part of the Chamber isn’t just about networking—it’s about building trust, access, and opportunity in the places that need it most.
More Than Just a Membership
For some companies, Chamber membership might be a box to check. For us, it’s been a strategic decision to surround ourselves with others who are working to move Cincinnati forward.
Through the Chamber, we’ve gained access to tools and resources that directly support our mission: from healthcare plans and workforce connections to visibility for our projects and support for our minority-owned business. Just as importantly, we’ve had the chance to listen—to understand what other business owners, civic leaders, and residents are facing in real-time.
That kind of knowledge is gold when you’re developing for long-term impact. It helps shape smarter decisions, more inclusive projects, and partnerships that aren’t just transactional, but transformational.
Creating Opportunity from the Inside Out
As a Black entrepreneur and the son of Nigerian immigrants, I’ve experienced firsthand how hard it can be to gain access to the right rooms, the right capital, and the right information. And while things are changing, the commercial real estate world can still feel like a closed door to many people who look like me.
The Chamber helps break those doors open. Not just for me, but for many other minority- and women-owned businesses. By showing up, speaking up, and contributing our perspective, we start to change the conversation. We begin to level the playing field and make sure that economic development isn’t something that happens to communities—but with them.
That’s one of the reasons we support initiatives like ChamberHealth, which helps small businesses access quality healthcare options. It’s another example of how the Chamber’s work supports real, everyday needs for entrepreneurs who are trying to build something that lasts.
A City is Only as Strong as Its Network
Cities thrive when their people are connected—across industries, across zip codes, across backgrounds. When Kingsley + Co. works on a development project, whether it’s senior housing, student living, or commercial space, we’re not just thinking about bricks and mortar. We’re thinking about how the space will connect people to the things that matter: jobs, transportation, culture, health, and each other.
In that same way, being part of the Chamber means we’re contributing to something larger than ourselves. We’re part of a network that’s helping Cincinnati grow in a way that’s thoughtful and inclusive. Whether it’s joining business roundtables, attending leadership summits, or collaborating on initiatives for underserved communities, we believe this kind of civic engagement is just as important as closing a deal.
Listening Before Leading
One of the most powerful things we’ve learned through our Chamber involvement is the value of listening. Development can sometimes come with assumptions—about what a community needs, or what kind of business belongs in a space. But real, meaningful development has to start with humility. It starts with asking questions, building relationships, and trusting the people who are already doing the work on the ground.
That’s a big reason we prioritize hiring local contractors, partnering with minority-owned vendors, and working closely with neighborhood leaders. Through the Chamber, we’ve been introduced to many of those voices, and we’ve worked to keep those relationships strong.
Moving the Needle Together
At the end of the day, Kingsley + Co. isn’t just in the business of real estate—we’re in the business of revitalization. That takes more than one company. It takes a coalition. It takes shared goals. And it takes platforms like the Chamber that are committed to bridging gaps and moving the needle for everyone.
When I think about the future of Cincinnati—and the other cities we’ll grow into—I know we’re only just getting started. There’s so much potential here, and so many people ready to rise to the occasion. By staying connected to organizations like the Chamber, we’re not just building buildings—we’re building momentum.
The Bigger Picture
For me, this work has always been about more than just success—it’s about significance. I want to look back years from now and see communities that are stronger, more vibrant, and more connected because of the investments we made and the relationships we built.
Being part of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber helps keep that vision in focus. It keeps us grounded in community, and it reminds us that development should always start with people.
That’s the kind of connectivity that matters. And that’s the kind of city I’m proud to help build.