U.S. Diversity Group, LLC built a reputation for creating innovative investment opportunities.
U.S. Diversity Group, LLC., is a Reg D real estate fund that offers accredited investors and African Americans the opportunity to invest in the growing hotel real estate market. Based in Atlanta, we cater to the hotel market because less than 2 percent of African Americans have hotel ownership, although this industry has been steadily growing for a decade. By offering ownership at $500/share, we reduce a major barrier to entering this lucrative space and allow investors with different income levels to achieve generational wealth.
We’ve built a reputation for creating innovative investment opportunities by targeting properties with high cash-flowing assets in growing metropolitan markets. Using vertically integrated asset management, property management, and creative services, we turn these hotels into profit-generation centers for investors, while creating jobs and sustainable infrastructure. This allows investors to create generational wealth to share with their families, while also giving back to the community and establishing the next generation of hotels.
US Diversity’s flagship property will be located in Orlando, FL. This strategic position is ideal for growth and generating a return on investment. Other short-term goals include acquiring at least 10 hotels in these high-growth areas. Because we are dedicated to sustainable, environmentally responsible real estate development, we are also committed to adding solar panels on our hotels, which reduce energy costs and provide an ecologically sound investment opportunity. Long term, we envision owning an excess of 50 hotels, allowing broad opportunities for investors to achieve hotel ownership and gain wealth.
Our Mission
At US Diversity, our mission is to furnish ‘everyday’ individuals with practical real estate investment opportunities that offer a path to economic security, while establishing an internationally recognized brand with multiple investments. To reach this goal, our company relies on its values of honesty, authenticity, faith, love for all humankind, and trust.
We’ve planned for the complexities of this process by appointing a project team inclusive of urban planners, leasing experts, and residential and commercial real estate professionals. These individuals bring a diverse range of experience in all residential and commercial property uses to the table. Our collective management experience across multiple disciplines will allow us to to successfully develop US Diversity Group into a top real-estate investment institution.
Why Now?
Many people have asked us this question. We believe this is the ideal time for African Americans to gain a larger presence in hotel ownership and build generational wealth. In recent years, the private equity real estate (PERE) industry has experienced favorable market conditions amid increasing demand for real estate exposure. In fact, this market has secured more than $100bn in fundraising for each of the past six years. Compelled by the growing demand for property and the large amount of capital at fund managers’ disposal, the annual number and total value of PERE deals have reached record highs for the past five years.
Recent changes in crowdfunding laws are also beneficial. Legislative changes made after the Great Depression prevented most crowdfunding investment in the US. But the JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act of 2012, signed into law by President Barack Obama, allowed for crowdfunding to issue securities. In 2015, the SEC finalized rules allowing equity crowdfunding under Title III of the JOBS Act. Because of this legislation, funds like ours can make strategic hotel industry investment possible for individuals from a variety of economic circumstances.
What Makes US Diversity's Fund Different?
We have a strong focus on several key factors that promote a maximum return and successful execution of our strategies:
- Acquire distressed hotel real estate assets and recapitalize borrowers at discounts to peak value.
- Implement value-add asset management through asset repositioning strategies and execution of leasing/business plans.
- Harvest healthy cash-on-cash returns and exit stabilized assets.
- Pursue primarily commercial transactions in non-US jurisdictions.
- Partner with land developers and homebuilders in strong markets—small-scale, in-fill programs and lending platforms
- Acquire Non performing loan (NPL) pools at deep discounts to current hotel values.
- Focus on smaller portfolios, proprietary transactions, and strategic opportunities with banks and special servicers.
- Focus on limited proprietary off-market opportunities, including illiquid companies and platform build-ups.
- Focus on volatility by purchasing during periods of illiquidity and selling during periods of momentum.
- Utilize US Diversity’s proprietary loan database and analytical infrastructure to capitalize on both pooled and individual loan opportunities.
Founders
Dr. Velma Trayham
CEO
Dr. Velma Trayham is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of multiple high-performing businesses. She is the owner and CEO of Thinkzilla Consulting Group, an innovative branding and marketing transformation agency with offices in Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles. Over the years, Thinkzilla has driven measurable growth for top organizations that range from startups to Fortune 500 companies, including the Atlanta Business League, Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company, NASCAR and University of Phoenix.
Dr. Trayham’s economic empowerment program, Millionaire Mastermind Academy, has mentored more than 4,600 women to become successful in their industries. She is also a social media influencer, highly sought-after motivational speaker and author whose book, “When God Says Go,” has sold over 400,000 copies.
Dr. Trayham is a proud member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), and is a certified hotel owner through AAHOA.
Other credentials include:
- 2019 Atlanta Business League Top 100 Women of Influence
- 2019 Top leadership Award by International Dream Team Academy
- 2018 Small Business of the Year by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
- 2018 Top Marketing Agency in Atlanta Award
- 2017 Texas EMI Award Recipient
- 2017 Black Heritage Honors by Ebony Magazine
Dr. Trayham has been featured in CBS, NBC, Fox, Voyage ATL, NewsOne, Forward Times, Rolling Out, Vizaca, Black News, and the Atlanta Tribune to name a few.
Toshia Posey
COO
Toshia Posey has served in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and been in operational leadership roles with various major organizations for the past 11 years. Her operational experience, leadership qualities and keen attention to detail have allowed her to excel in her various entrepreneur opportunities. Being a realtor with a national cloud-based brokerage firm allows her access to listings across the United States in order to keep acquisition of land and real estate assets in house.
Posey is a proud member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), and is a certified hotel owner through AAHOA.
Jacques Posey
CFO