DHIC Turns 50: Looking Back on 50 Years of Impact & Charting a New Course for the Next 50

On June 6, 2024, over 500 guests gathered at the Pavilion at the Angus Barn in Raleigh to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We dedicated our cocktail hour to honoring longtime DHIC President Gregg Warren, who retired in March 2020 after 35 years of leadership.

Current DHIC President Yolanda Winstead explained, “Due to the pandemic, we never got to commemorate Gregg and his achievements over the years properly. We were honored to take this time to play a tribute video to the work Gregg did during his tenure at DHIC with his loved ones in attendance at this 50th-anniversary celebration.”

Following the cocktail hour and a welcome by DHIC Board Chair Tyler Craft, the main program began with Yolanda’s inspiring reflections on 50 years of DHIC’s impactful journey, from our humble beginnings in Southeast Raleigh to our remarkable expansion of affordable housing properties across nine counties in North Carolina. Her words painted a vivid picture of our collective achievements, particularly with the work of the Homeownership Center and Resident Services team and the immense potential for future growth over the next 50 years and beyond.

We also used this time to unveil our new rebrand – a project we’ve worked on with designers from MRC Brand Design, our downtown Raleigh neighbors. With this update, our brand better aligns with our goal of reaching the community members we serve and our local and national partners. We invite you to learn more about our new brand identity and how it embodies what DHIC stands for and will continue to stand for in the decades ahead.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was hearing the heartfelt testimonials from our very own DHIC residents and clients who shared their journeys and the profound impact of DHIC over the years. Their stories truly encapsulated the spirit of our 50th-anniversary celebration.

• James Watson, the first homeowner of the Raleigh Area Land Trust, spoke about his experience getting homeownership counseling and support with DHIC, highlighting the impact of homeownership on his life as a first-time buyer later in life. 
• Benetta Thai shared her experience as a resident at Beacon Ridge who purchased her first home using the Homeownership Center’s resources and what becoming a homeowner means to her and her family.

DHIC Board Member Ashleigh Hales closed the evening by inviting guests to continue investing in DHIC’s work to remain an impactful organization in the decades to come.

Speaking about the impact of this event, DHIC VP of Resource Development & Partnerships Atinuke “Tinu” Diver says, “It was powerful for our team to be in the presence of sponsors, community members, and partners who have been part of our 50-year legacy. We appreciate everyone who has helped us continue to grow and adapt to the different challenges in the housing market over the years and decades. We look forward to what we can accomplish together going forward.”

With over 500 attendees and about 50 sponsors, we’ve raised close to $400,000 during, immediately before, and after the event, which will help us as we journey into the next 50 years. If you’d like to share your support, you can make a secure donation online.