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Devin: What is your superpower?
Lyneir: What I believe is my calling is to see value in people and places that other people overlook or undervalue.
Democratizing commercial real estate isn’t just a lofty vision for Lyneir Richardson, it’s his mission. As the CEO of The Chicago TREND Corporation, Lyneir is pioneering a model for strengthening urban neighborhoods by enabling small investors to own a stake in commercial properties. In today’s episode, he shared how his organization is transforming communities while offering everyday people the opportunity to invest alongside wealthy, institutional players.
Lyneir explained, “Retail is the first impression of a neighborhood. If the retail corridor is blighted, it attracts crime, brings down property values, and becomes a liability.” Recognizing this, The Chicago TREND Corporation focuses on revitalizing retail spaces in underserved neighborhoods, blending community impact with financial returns.
Since its founding in 2016, Chicago TREND has completed three crowdfunding campaigns, raising nearly $1 million from impact-oriented individuals. Lyneir described these investors as “small dollar, impact-oriented individuals who want to see progress in a neighborhood.” In one project, they partnered with a local nonprofit to redevelop a blighted industrial site. After acquiring the property for $3 million, they demolished a decaying building and planned a new 100,000-square-foot warehouse. Before construction began, another buyer offered $4.5 million. This exit not only provided a threefold return for investors but also strengthened their balance sheet for future projects.
Lyneir emphasized that crowdfunding is more than a financial tool—it’s also a way to foster community ownership. “We call it #WeOwnThis,” he said, describing how local investors are more likely to patronize and protect these properties. This inclusive approach to ownership creates a ripple effect, empowering communities to take pride in their neighborhoods while benefiting financially.
Today, Chicago TREND is actively raising capital for additional projects. By combining crowdfunding with old-school community organizing—meeting in church basements, library common areas, and on Zoom—Lyneir and his team are proving that inclusive investment can transform neighborhoods.
Lyneir’s work demonstrates that commercial real estate can be a powerful tool for social change. By inviting ordinary people to invest in their own communities, he’s creating opportunities for financial growth while building stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods.
tl;dr:
Lyneir Richardson democratizes commercial real estate by enabling small investors to revitalize underserved neighborhoods.
Chicago TREND uses crowdfunding to finance retail projects that strengthen communities and boost property values.
A recent project gave investors a threefold return while transforming a blighted industrial site.
Lyneir’s superpower is recognizing value in overlooked places and fostering community-driven redevelopment.
By balancing profit and impact, Lyneir is creating opportunities for ordinary people to invest in change.
How to Develop Seeing Value in Overlooked People and Places As a Superpower
Lyneir’s superpower is his ability to recognize potential where others see obstacles. As he explained, “What I believe is my calling is to see value in people and places that other people overlook or undervalue.” This skill allows him to envision opportunities for revitalization in underserved neighborhoods, often dismissed by traditional investors as “too hard” or “too small.” By combining his expertise in commercial real estate with a deep passion for community, Lyneir transforms overlooked areas into thriving hubs of activity and investment.
Illustrative Story:
In one project, Lyneir’s team purchased a shopping center hampered by outdated covenants, including a racial restriction dating back to the 1940s. Instead of bypassing the issue, they engaged with 119 local homeowners to amend the covenant, not only removing the offensive language but also garnering community support for the redevelopment. This effort exemplifies Lyneir’s ability to see both the immediate and long-term value in addressing historical barriers while building trust within the community.
Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Learn to See Potential: Practice identifying value in places or people others dismiss.
Engage with the Community: Build trust by listening to and involving local stakeholders in decision-making.
Blend Passion with Expertise: Use your professional skills to address challenges in a meaningful way.
Balance Profit and Impact: Focus on projects that deliver financial returns while improving lives.
Address Historical Challenges: Don’t shy away from difficult or sensitive issues; tackle them to build trust and create lasting change.
By following Lyneir’s example and advice, you can make seeing value in overlooked opportunities a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Lyneir Richardson (he/him):
CEO, The Chicago TREND Corporation
About The Chicago TREND Corporation: Chicago TREND was established in 2016 to strengthen urban commercial corridors through strategic, community-driven commercial real estate investment and small business support. Since then, Chicago TREND has assembled a dedicated team that supports every aspect of community ownership projects, including business capacity building, credit underwriting, portfolio management, capital improvements, public outreach, and mixed-use transactions.
Website: chicagotrend.com
X/Twitter Handle: @TheChiTREND
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/ChicagoTREND
Biographical Information: Lyneir Richardson is CEO of The Chicago TREND Corporation (TREND), a commercial real estate firm that owns urban shopping centers and provides economic advisory services to corporations, government agencies and large philanthropic organizations. Lyneir is also Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers Business School and serves as the Executive Director of the university’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.
Previously, Lyneir was the CEO of the primary economic development corporation in Newark, NJ attracting investment and jobs to the city during two mayoral administrations. Prior to that he also served as Vice President of General Growth Properties Inc. and led a national initiative to develop shopping centers in urban underserved areas. Early in his career, Lyneir founded LakeShore Development and Construction Company and was named a U.S. Small Business Administration "Young Entrepreneur of the Year." Lyneir began his career as a corporate attorney at the First National Bank of Chicago.
Lyneir holds an appointment as a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution. He graduated from Bradley University and the University of Chicago Law School.
Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/lyneir.richardson
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lyneir
Instagram Handle: @LyneirRich
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Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.
SuperCrowdHour, June 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Jason Fishman, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), will lead a session on "Crowdfund Like a Pro: Insider Marketing Secrets from Jason Fishman." He’ll reveal proven strategies and marketing insights drawn from years of experience helping successful crowdfunding campaigns. Whether you're a founder planning a raise or a supporter of innovative startups, you’ll gain actionable tips to boost visibility, drive engagement, and hit your funding goals. Don’t miss it!
Superpowers for Good Live Pitch – June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern - Apply by June 6, 2025, to pitch your active Regulation Crowdfunding campaign live on Superpowers for Good—the e360tv show where impact meets capital. Selected founders will gain national exposure, connect with investors, and compete for prizes. To qualify, you must be raising via a FINRA-registered portal or broker-dealer and align with NC3’s Community Capital Principles. Founders from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply. Don’t miss this chance to fuel your mission and grow your impact!
SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!
Community Event Calendar
Crowdfunding Exits: Getting a Return on Your Investment, May 22, 2025, 2:00 PM Eastern.
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.
African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2025 (ADIS25), Wednesday–Friday, May 28–30, 2025, at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA.
Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.
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Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.
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