Yusef Freeman is working at McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS) as a Project Manager. MBS specializes in the development of large-scale mixed-income communities throughout the Unites States. Mr. Freeman’s primary project is the development of a 200-acre site in the center of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When completed, the development will have over 1,000 units of mixed-income rental and for-sale housing, an 80-unit senior building located in a town-square featuring a 44-unit mixed-use building and water features and green space that highlight this traditional neighborhood development. The $280 million development is in response to the 200,000 individuals who evacuated to Baton Rouge in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Located along a corridor that traditionally segregates blacks and whites in Baton Rouge, this development will bring back market-rate units to the neighborhood and serve as a model for Louisiana to further integrate its cities through mixed-income development. In addition to this work, Mr. Freeman has contributed to proposed HOPE VI developments in St. Louis, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee.

Before being selected for a CURExPenn fellowship, Mr. Freeman worked as a Senior Research Analyst with Social Compact to build an understanding of select urban markets – typically through the Social Compact’s DRILLDOWN product. He used quantitative and qualitative research methods through statistical modeling, geographic information systems analysis and community interviews to determine and present current demand side market conditions for inner city neighborhoods. Before joining Social Compact, Mr. Freeman worked with the Annie E. Casey Foundation on its Neighborhoods Initiative, focusing on the development and implementation of the Center for Working Families, a one-stop shop for financial services, public benefits and workforce development in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to that, he worked in the Economic Development Department at the Bridge Street Development Corporation in Brooklyn, New York focusing on small business development and social entrepreneurship. At the Greenlining Institute in San Francisco, California, Mr. Freeman managed the unbanked research and advocacy project, developing a plan for banks, regulators and community organizations to best engage the unbanked.

Mr. Freeman holds a B.A. degree in History from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, where he majored in Public Finance as a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow. He serves on the board of directors for the Greenlining Institute’s Academy Alumni Association.