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.

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Greenbelt, MD (December 16, 2020) — The Velocity Companies was named Minority Business of the Year by FSC First (FSC), the premier lending partner for businesses in the region, during FSC’s 2020 Annual Meeting.  

Under the theme of “Progress on Purpose”, FSC’s virtual Annual Meeting highlighted and celebrated entities making a positive change in our community. This year has been all about Progressing on Purpose—learning to pivot in uncertain times and ensuring that you and your business are operating in the best shape possible.

The Minority Business of the Year category recognizes individuals and companies for their innovation, vision, and leadership that help transform ideas into reality. 

“On behalf of the Velocity Companies team, I am honored to accept FSC First’s Minority Business Enterprise of the Year Award,” said Brandon Bellamy, CEO, The Velocity Companies. “This year has challenged all of us to pivot and be resilient, and with great partners like FSC First, Velocity has been able to make ‘Progress on Purpose’. I am grateful that even through these uncertain times, we have been able to continue fulfilling our mission of providing a significant impact in under-invested communities through projects that champion the health and vitality of local economies through meaningful development.”

Under Bellamy’s leadership, The Velocity Companies has developed and consulted on projects located in the Mid-Atlantic and the Carolinas with an aggregate asset value exceeding $500 million. 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 profitable investment opportunities. Driven by their commitment to creating a significant and lasting impact in under-invested communities, the Velocity team boldly pursues projects that champion the health and vitality of local economies through meaningful development.

“As chief executive officer of The Velocity Companies, Brandon Bellamy brings over 30 years of experience in real estate development, investment and private fund management,” said Shelly Gross-Wade, President & CEO, FSC First. “This minority owned firm is the developer for several transformative projects throughout Prince George’s County. Mr. Bellamy consistently strives to create new investment & opportunities in Prince George’s County with a focus on reimagining untapped markets while beating the odds & changing mindsets due to the lack of higher tier investors in inner Beltway communities.”

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