​Sterling Acre Woods: An Investor Evening with Chef Jonny Rhodes
A private property preview and fireside dinner experience co-hosted by BH&IA and Sterling Acre Woods

​The evening at Sterling Acre Woods is more than a dinner — it’s a glimpse into the future of independent hospitality and the vision of a first-time hotelier reimagining ownership.

​Join the Black Hoteliers & Investors Association (BH&IA) and Sterling Acre Woods for an intimate evening, where we engage in conversation, dining and community. Guests will travel in a private fleet to Sterling Acre Woods, the forthcoming hospitality and agritourism concept by James Beard-Nominated Chef and agricultural entrepreneur Jonny Rhodes.

​Nestled on six serene acres, Sterling Acre Woods will open officially in 2026 as an immersive hospitality retreat — where agriculture, architecture, and ancestral storytelling converge. This evening offers investors and hospitality stakeholders an unprecedented first look at the land, concept, and culinary experience that will define its identity.

​Event Features

• ​Private roundtrip transportation from Houston to Sterling Acre Woods
  
  

• ​Guided property tour of the 6-acre agritourism and hospitality campus before its 2026 debut
  
  

• ​Sunset reception and fireside conversation with Chef Jonny Rhodes and S. Lovey Parker of BH&IA
  
  

• ​Curated multi-course dinner showcasing preview dishes from Sterling Acre Woods' forthcoming restaurant
  
  

• ​Investor networking and insight session with aligned capital partners, family offices and hospitality leaders
  

​VIP guests enjoy a private 1:1 session with Chef Jonny Rhodes, while Table Hosts and Sponsors receive enhanced visibility, dedicated seating, and bespoke engagement benefits.

​This is a rare opportunity to witness the vision behind Sterling Acre Woods and connect with leaders shaping the future of independent hospitality.

​BH&IA is honored to co-produce this experience as part of our mission to expand Black ownership in boutique and independent hotels, connecting visionary founders like Chef Jonny with aligned investors, family offices, and capital partners.

​Why This Evening Matters

​This exclusive evening represents a bridge — between culinary innovation and property development, between vision and investment.

Guests will experience how Sterling Acre Woods embodies the next evolution of independent hospitality, blending sustainable agriculture, design, and cultural immersion into a single, investable destination experience.

​Through the fireside conversation with Chef Jonny Rhodes, moderated by S. Lovey Parker – Executive Director and Founder of BH&IA, you’ll gain insight into:

• ​The creative and operational blueprint for Sterling Acre Woods
  

• ​How culinary storytelling informs the guest experience and property positioning
  

• ​Investment and ownership pathways for independent hospitality ventures
  

• ​The broader BH&IA vision: building a pipeline of 650 majority Black-owned hotels and resorts by 2060
  

​What to Expect

• ​4:00 PM: Private transportation departs from centralized location in the city of Houston (exact location to be announced) for Sterling Acre Woods
  
  

• ​4:45 PM: Arrival and guided property (comfortable footwear recommended)
  
  

• ​5:25 PM: Sunset reception featuring warm craft beverages
  
  

• ​5:45 PM: Fireside chat featuring Chef Jonny Rhodes, Founder, Sterling Acre Woods and S. Lovey Parker, Executive Director, BH&IA
  
  

• ​6:20 PM: Audience Q&A
  
  

• ​6:45 PM: Dinner seating begins
  
  

• ​7:00 PM: Curated dinner service featuring preview dishes from the menu of Sterling Acre Woods’ forthcoming restaurant concept
  
  

• ​8:00 PM: Post-dinner reception and showcase of guest accommodations
  
  

• ​8:30 PM: Return private sedan transportation to Houston
  
  

• ​VIP – Premium Add-On (optional): 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM private 1:1 session with Jonny Rhodes on-site, followed by private chauffeured return to Houston (exact location to be announced)

​

​Tickets & Access

• ​All Access: $350
  Includes access to the full event including:
  private roundtrip sedan transportation to Sterling Acre Woods, property tour, fireside chat, guided multi-course dinner experience, sunset reception
  
  

• ​VIP Access: $500
  Includes everything at the All Access level,
  plus a private, 1:1 conversation for (1) with Chef Jonny Rhodes
  
  

• ​Table Host Package: $2,500
  Includes everything at the All Access level for 6 guests,
  plus (1) dedicated dining table for 6 where you may sit together as a branded or named table during dinner,
  and VIP-access for 2 for a private group conversation with Chef Jonny Rhodes
  
  

• ​Sponsorship: $8,500
  Sponsors receive everything at the Table Host Package level,
  plus recognition during the program, visibility across all event collateral, and bespoke investor engagement benefits.

​

​Important Notes

• ​Sterling Acre Woods is a private property; Access is granted exclusively through this event.
  
  

• ​Comfortable footwear recommended for the property tour.
  
  

• ​Guests are asked to share dietary preferences or restrictions and accessibility requests in advance to ensure a personalized experience.
  

​About Sterling Acre Woods

​Sterling Acre Woods (SAW) is a visionary 6-acre hospitality and agritourism campus located just north of Houston, Texas, in Cleveland at the edge of the Sam Houston National Forest.

​Opening in Fall 2026, SAW will integrate tranquil lodging, farm-to-table dining, cultural immersion, and wellness programming in one seamless destination. The property is anchored by Inndigo, a boutique inn and destination restaurant, The Maroon, a rustic luxury eco-lodge experience, and The Orchard, a farming space. Future expansion includes The Sound Silo, an events, performance and wellness sanctuary.

​About Black Hoteliers & Investors Association

​BH&IA, a nonprofit 501(c)6 trade association, is the leading authority advancing Black ownership, investment, and innovation in boutique and independent hospitality. We open doors to capital, collaboration, and industry equity. 

​Our member-driven platform connects hotel executives, developers, and aligned partners to strategic opportunities through curated investment pipelines, thought leadership, and visibility within a growing $8B segment. 

​With a mission to grow and scale majority Black-owned hotels and resorts to $8 billion in revenue by 2060, BH&IA bridges the gap between independent brands and the broader industry—bringing fresh perspective, partnership potential, and long-term value to the hospitality ecosystem.
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