Dorothy Mae Richardson (1922-1991)

Dorothy Mae Richardson pioneered community-based affordable housing in 1960s Pittsburgh when she refused to let her neighborhood be demolished under urban renewal. Instead of accepting displacement, she organized her neighbors, persuaded 16 banks to invest in redlined communities, and championed the idea that struggling neighborhoods could be restored by fixing homes rather than tearing them down.  Her efforts led to the creation of Neighborhood Housing Services in 1968 — the first “NeighborWorks” organization — a model later replicated in hundreds of cities. In 1978, Congress established NeighborWorks America based on her resident-led approach, helping shift national housing policy toward preservation, community empowerment, and affordable homeownership.  MORE ABOUT DOROTHY MAE RICHARDSON

 

Maggie L. Walker (1864-1934)

Maggie Lena Walker advanced affordable housing through economic empowerment. As the first African American woman to charter a bank in the United States, she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank (Richmond, VA) in 1903, providing Black families access to loans and mortgages. Her philosophy—”Let us put our money together; let us use our money”—created pathways for Black homeownership and property investment. The bank financed over 600 home and business loans, helping establish Richmond’s Jackson Ward as a thriving Black business and residential community. Walker proved that financial inclusion was foundational to housing access and community stability.  MORE ABOUT MAGGIE L. WALKER

 

Hilyard Robinson  (1899-1986)

Washington, D.C. architect Hilyard Robinson understood that affordable housing could be a powerful driver of social progress. Robinson designed the historic Langston Terrace Dwellings and Aberdeen Gardens, groundbreaking public housing communities for Black workers and their families during an era of segregation and severe housing discrimination. Langston Terrace featured green spaces, playgrounds, and artwork that enhanced daily life, while Aberdeen Gardens included garden plots, a school, and a commercial center to support resident growth. His thoughtfully designed communities promoted dignity, self-sufficiency, and economic mobility—a legacy so significant that both are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   MORE ABOUT HILYARD ROBINSON

Beauty Turner (1957-2008)

Beauty Turner was a Chicago housing activist, journalist, and storyteller who used her own lived experience in public housing to fight displacement and elevate resident voices. For many years she wrote for and edited the Residents’ Journal, a grassroots newspaper by and for public housing residents that highlighted community voices often ignored by mainstream media. Turner also served as associate editor of the South Street Journal and wrote columns for local papers, earning numerous awards for her fearless reporting. She created her “Ghetto (Greatest History Ever Told to Our People) Bus Tours,” where visitors heard directly from residents about life in Chicago’s public housing and saw firsthand the impacts of redevelopment policies. Turner’s advocacy helped shift the conversation–reminding the nation that housing is about people, community, and dignity, and that resident voices should always be part of the conversation.  MORE ABOUT BEAUTY TURNER

 

Robert C. Weaver (1907-1997) 

Robert C. Weaver was appointed as the first Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1966 by Lyndon B. Johnson, becoming the first African American Cabinet member in U.S. history.  Earlier in his career, Weaver helped shape federal housing policy, including work that supported the 1937 U.S. Housing Program, which subsidized rents for low-income families and strengthened local housing authorities. As HUD Secretary, he championed fair housing and fought racial discrimination in federal programs, expanding affordable housing opportunities and helping lay the foundation for stronger enforcement of housing rights nationwide.  MORE ABOUT ROBERT C. WEAVER

 

Lisa Rice

As President and CEO, Lisa Rice leads the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA)’s efforts to advance fair housing principles, strengthen protections, and expand equal housing opportunities for millions of Americans. NFHA serves as a trade association for more than 170 fair housing and justice-centered organizations across the United States and its territories and is a national civil rights nonprofit dedicated exclusively to eliminating housing discrimination. Through its work in civil rights advocacy, investigation, education, and litigation support, NFHA plays a critical role in promoting equitable housing access nationwide.  MORE ABOUT LISA RICE

 

“United in Color” – A Celebration of Our Diverse Community

 

We are thrilled to announce the winners of our 2025 ACE Art Contest! This competition invited our creative residents and employees to showcase their unique interpretation of the theme “United in Color” – celebrating the rich tapestry of ethnicities, cultures, family dynamics, sexual identities, religions, and abilities that make up our diverse Royal American communities and companies.  We were pleased with the response. Artists of all ages grabbed their medium of choice and created original works that beautifully captured our mission of unity through diversity.

 

A huge congratulations to all our winners, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted artwork! Each piece reflected the creativity, passion, and unique perspectives that make Royal American Management such a vibrant place to live and work.

 

VIEW OUR GALLERY OF WINNERS