BH&IA Appreciation Celebration & Silent Auction
An Evening-Brunch on the Rooftop: Legacy, Luxury & Collective Impact
Join us for an unforgettable evening as the Black Hoteliers & Investors Association (BH&IA) hosts its inaugural Appreciation Celebration & Silent Auction—a high-touch, culturally resonant, and impact-forward gathering convened on the final Sunday of 2025. This is more than an event; it is a ceremonial moment of connection, gratitude, and investment in the future of Black-owned hospitality.
A New Kind of Evening-Brunch Experience — Curated for Leaders, Visionaries & Investors
Washington, DC’s brunch culture is iconic—the city’s unofficial weekly ritual of connection, community, and celebration. This gathering elevates that tradition with an “Evening-Brunch” experience at REALM, the new rooftop jewel developed by Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC, perched above the DC skyline.
REALM invites guests into a world inspired by the vibrant spirit of The Seychelles—playful, bright, and infused with centuries of music, fragrance, and flavor. Executive Chef Keem Hughley brings an innovative menu of smoked spices, curry leaf, coconut, tamarind, citrus, and mango—flavors that tell a story and transport guests high above the city.
This thoughtfully designed environment reflects the values BH&IA champions: excellence, identity, global imagination, legacy building, and a hospitality experience rooted in culture.
Recommended Attire: Cocktail/Semi-Formal with a hint of glamour. An evening to celebrate in style—fun, festive, and effortlessly elegant.
Why This Gathering Matters
As we close out the year, we come together to honor our community, celebrate the visionary partners who advance our mission, and meaningfully contribute to the future we are building: a thriving ecosystem where Black hotel entrepreneurs own, develop, manage, and reimagine hospitality at scale.
Your participation directly strengthens the Hoteliers Grant Program, an initiative designed to support emerging and existing Black hotel entrepreneurs through:
Capacity-building and technical support
Investment readiness pathways
Brand development and operational excellence
Access to networks, capital partners, and strategic advisory
A growing pipeline of next-generation hotel owners and operators
This celebration is not only an appreciation moment—it is a fundraiser, an investment in legacy, and a rare opportunity to shape what equitable ownership in hospitality will look like between now and 2060.
A Curated Evening of Engagement & Intention
Guests can expect a dynamic and meaningful flow:
Evening-Brunch Rooftop Experience
An elevated take on DC’s cultural brunch tradition, designed for connection and discovery.Exclusive Silent Auction
Featuring rare, one-of-a-kind experiences and high-value items.
For the first time, guests may also reserve bids in advance in the Auction Reservation Suite.
VIP ticket holders receive early, premium access.Membership Spotlights & Giveaways
Opportunities to unlock exclusive BH&IA member benefits, including priority access to 2026 programs and gatherings.VIP Access Pathways
Guests with VIP tickets receive:
– First entry to the rooftop experience
– Early silent auction privileges
– Priority seating for programming
– A private pre-event walkthrough of Realm’s design story and menu inspirationsMarket Outlook + Special Remarks
Hear from respected community and industry leaders on the state of hospitality, commercial real estate, cultural development, and the expanding landscape of diverse ownership.Sponsorship-as-Impact
Each sponsorship tier is presented as a ticket category, offering sponsors a seamless way to “gift a grant” and demonstrate leadership in advancing equitable representation in hospitality.
Explore sponsorship opportunities directly from the registration page.
An Invitation to Be Part of a Collective Legacy
This evening is intentionally crafted for change-makers, investors, family offices, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and stewards of culture who believe in:
Building generational opportunity
Investing in underrepresented ownership
Shaping markets, not waiting for them
Transforming hospitality into a pathway for legacy, access, and wealth
It is a rare moment—an off-peak, pre-NYE Sunday—to gather above the city, reflect on the year, and step into the future with clarity and collective purpose.
You won’t want to miss this.
Hosted in Partnership With
REALM Rooftop Bar — an energetic, Seychelles-inspired rooftop escape featuring a globally minded menu and design vision.
Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC — the visionary developer behind Realm, led by Founder & Managing Principal Evens Charles.
Secure Your Experience
Reserve your ticket today—VIP access is extremely limited and will sell out quickly.
Gift a grant through our sponsorship tiers, or reserve your silent auction bids directly from the registration options.
Join us as we celebrate, elevate, and invest in the future of ownership together.
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.
Learn More | Website