In her time at Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, Ciere Boatright has managed more than $350 million in new real estate development and has coordinated the creation of more than 1,500 new jobs. She has overseen the development of the Method Soap Factory, the new Mariano’s Grocery store in Bronzeville, the new Whole Foods Midwest Distribution Center, and the new 150,000-square-foot Gotham Greens greenhouse. She has also served as CNI’s point person on all affordable housing efforts, including the new Pullman Artspace project that is bringing 38 new affordable housing units for artists to the Pullman community. Boatright was recognized in January by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the top 30 women in Commercial Real Estate, the only African American woman.

These are just a few of the reasons we chose Boatright as one of the 2020 Women in Real Estate Award winners. Connect Media’s Women in Real Estate Awards honor the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected positions of leadership and play key mentorship roles for others.

Colleagues say that along with her real estate acumen, Boatright has a real passion for and commitment to neighborhood development and community empowerment. She has a particular interest in enabling African American entrepreneurs in the construction industry. She has been an advocate for small minority-owned businesses and has challenged CNI to do better in using its construction projects to facilitate African American participation and business growth.

Finally, in addition to all of her work at CNI, Boatright finds time to volunteer her leadership skills on the Roseland Medical District Board and Urban Land Institute Women’s Leadership Initiative.

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