Former NFL player and real estate leader calls for inclusion-first planning to prevent displacement and cultural erasure

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESS Newswire / September 15, 2025 / Chinedum K. Ndukwe, former NFL safety and founder of Kingsley + Co., is raising awareness around the urgent need for culturally inclusive urban redevelopment. Drawing from both his career in professional football and his leadership in real estate, Ndukwe is advocating for a shift in how communities are built-and more importantly, for whom they are built.

"You can't just copy and paste a design from one place to another," Ndukwe said. "People notice. It doesn't feel like home."

According to the Urban Displacement Project, over 135 U.S. cities are experiencing active gentrification, with cultural and socioeconomic displacement hitting historically Black, immigrant, and working-class neighborhoods the hardest. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that 11 million renter households are currently severely cost-burdened, spending more than 50% of their income on rent.

Ndukwe believes the development industry has a responsibility to do better.

"If you want to avoid displacement, you have to include the community from day one," he added. "Not as a checkbox-genuinely, with trust."

Through his company, Kingsley + Co., Ndukwe has implemented inclusive practices on multiple large-scale projects, such as a $20 million mixed-use redevelopment in Columbus's Near East Side - a historically Black cultural district. His approach emphasizes early collaboration with local leaders, support for small businesses, and architectural design that reflects the identity of the people who live there.

"I want to build neighborhoods where people feel seen, heard, and valued," he said. "That's when real development happens."

Why This Matters

• Cultural loss is real: A 2022 Brookings study found that redevelopment without cultural planning leads to weakened social networks, reduced civic engagement, and increased turnover in long-established communities.

• Economic inequality is widening: Between 2000 and 2020, median rents in gentrifying areas grew over 70%, while incomes in those same neighborhoods rose by less than 25%.

• Representation in development is still lacking: According to the ULI, less than 5% of real estate development firms are Black-owned.

Ndukwe says the solution is not just more money or more housing - but more listening.

"Real estate is a team sport," he said. "You need investors, architects, and city officials, yes - but you also need residents, artists, and small business owners at the table. That's how you build long-term value, not just property value."

Ndukwe is encouraging developers, policymakers, and citizens to reflect on their role in shaping cities.

You don't have to be a developer to make a difference:

• Attend local zoning and planning meetings

• Speak up when projects ignore community history

• Support local businesses and cultural institutions

• Ask questions about who benefits - and who might be pushed out

• Advocate for inclusive policies around housing, design, and investment

"Success in development isn't about how fast you can build," Ndukwe said. "It's about who still lives there when it's done."

About Kingsley + Co.
Kingsley + Co. is a minority-owned commercial real estate firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded by Chinedum K. Ndukwe in 2008, the company focuses on inclusive urban redevelopment through culturally aware design, sustainable investment, and collaborative community partnerships.

Contact: info@chinedumndukwe.com

SOURCE: Chinedum K Ndukwe