The development of affordable housing takes three things, says Chickie Grayson, president and CEO of Enterprise Homes Inc. ? land, money and will.
What Enterprise Homes lacks in funding, Grayson and her staff cover with more than enough passion and determination.
“We marvel at how she?s able to cope with the stress and the strain of the job, yet keep an upbeat attitude,” said Jeff Donahue, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Investment, which invests about $1 billion in communities across the country a year.
“Chickie balances her responsibilities with grace and dedication, and I haven?t seen anybody like her,” Donahue said. “It?s really difficult work.”
Grayson, 60, has more than 25 years of experience developing affordable housing for low-income people “from all walks of life.” While funding for low-income development continues to decrease, Grayson and her staff remain focused on building homes and improving lives.
“I like seeing the project come together ? the bricks and stones ? but I really love working with a variety of people and ultimately helping the people we serve,” Grayson said. “It?s really wonderful to see people have an opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
With headquarters in Baltimore, Enterprise Homes develops affordable and market-rate housing throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Since its creation in 1985, Enterprise Homes has completed or has under development more than 5,000 homes.
Grayson said several Enterprise Homes projects are ongoing throughout the Baltimore-Washington region, and the group has begun developing homes in New Orleans.
Lee Rosenberg, a member of Enterprise Community Investment?s board of directors, has known Grayson for 20 years and sat with her through “thousands of development meetings.”
“We jokingly say we do the jobs no one else wants to do,” Rosenberg said. “In all honestly, you can?t tackle these problems unless you have great passion.
“It?s very, very difficult work,” Rosenberg added. “Chickie hangs in there when most people would give up.”
Another thing Grayson hangs on to is the name “Chickie.” When asked, she declined to reveal her real name.
“I?ll stick with ?Chickie?,” she said, laughing. “It?s worked for a while.”
CHICKIE GRAYSON
First job: I worked at my father?s store in Baltimore when I was 10
Education: Bachelor?s and master?s degrees in political science from the University of Maryland
Daily e-mails received: Too many
Daily voicemails received: 15 to 20
Favorite gadget: My new stovetop
Career objective: To create opportunities for people and help them achieve their dreams
Essential Web sites: google.com
Hometown: Baltimore
Birth date: Jan. 17, 1947
Original aspiration: I wanted to be known at Obrycki?s Crab House
Sports/hobbies: Biking, walking and doing nothing
