Greenbelt, MD (March 16, 2021) — Washington Business Journal selected Brandon Bellamy, CEO of The Velocity Companies, to receive the 2021 Diversity in Business Award.

Formerly known as the Minority Business Leader Awards, The Diversity in Business Awards celebrates diversity and inclusion in the workforce and recognizes the Washington region’s top business leaders of color in the Greater Washington area and their demonstrated success over the past 12 to 18 months.

This year’s honorees are being highlighted for their professional accomplishments, community leadership and philanthropy, as well as awards and milestones. These individuals are creating jobs, building healthy spaces, and leading the way toward growth and prosperity for the community.

“It’s an incredible honor to receive this year’s Diversity in Business Awards,” said Velocity Companies CEO, Brandon Bellamy. “Thank you to The Washington Business Journal for recognizing the creativity and success of The Velocity Companies team. I understand the challenges of being an entrepreneur, like payroll, cash flow, and navigating COVID. I also understand the burdens we face as minority entrepreneurs, like access to capital. I face these obstacles every day. I want to encourage you to keep pushing, keep moving forward, and do not quit! I also want to challenge all of us to strive to be significant, not just successful.”

During Bellamy’s tenure at The Velocity Companies, the firm has developed and consulted on projects located in the Mid-Atlantic and the Carolinas with an aggregate asset value exceeding $500 million. Under his leadership, The Velocity Companies has built a team of professionals that specialize in assisting clients in real estate investment and property development activities by analyzing real estate development and conceiving investment opportunities.

Over the past 18 months, Mr. Bellamy became the only African American majority owner of a professional baseball team in the country, the Gastonia Honey Hunters. Driven by their commitment to providing a significant impact in under-invested communities and bolding pursing projects that champion the vitality of local communities, the Velocity team is the premier developer for several transformative projects throughout Prince George’s County.

The winners were honored March 18 at a live virtual awards celebration that featured live interviews with each honoree.

###