HOUSTON – (By Dale King, Realty News Report) — CoolxDad, a local nonprofit dedicated to aiding and uplifting fathers of color who are striving to build a better world for their children and serve their communities, has leased a 1,570 SF space in the East River mixed-use development for its new headquarters.
Scheduled to open in the fall, this inaugural brick-and-mortar site for the Houston-based organization will become a critical center for the CoolxDad community and its programs, offering a place for fathers to connect, learn and grow.
Anna Deans, vice president of investment and development at Midway, which manages the East River project, said the mission and values of CoolxDad “resonate with our vision for the development. We believe they will significantly contribute to the energetic and inclusive atmosphere we are creating here.”
“In the heart of Houston’s Fifth Ward, we’re laying down roots for a brighter future,” said Kevin Barnett, founder of CoolxDad. “The organization’s new headquarters will drive fathers and their families toward greater engagement, connection and a purpose-driven life. Together, we’re building a legacy of strength and unity.”
Established in 2020, CoolxDad aims to foster a nurturing environment for fathers to connect, exchange insights and access resources for personal and professional enhancement. The group’s goal is to expand its reach and, in the process, eradicate negative stigmas surrounding fathers of color and their children through fellowship, enlightenment and pro-active engagement, he said.
The multi-functional headquarters space at East River will include programming and office areas for the CoolxDad community alongside a retail storefront that will sell carefully selected goods from CoolxDad and other small brands. Proceeds from sales of t-shirts, coffee table books, hats, candles and other items will support CoolxDad’s programs and community initiatives. The retail space will also serve as a hub for ongoing programming, art installations and creative efforts, furthering CoolxDad’s mission to educate and include dads, moms, kids and supporters of all kinds.
Founded in Houston, CoolxDad has expanded with chapters in New York City, Los Angeles and Atlanta. In New York, the organization partnered with the mayor’s office and the Police Athletic League, which services more than 15,000 families a year through family services.
Adam Weaver, a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, represented CoolxDad in lease negotiations for its headquarters, demonstrating the ongoing partnership between the organization and the international law firm.
CoolxDad is currently fundraising to complete the build-out of its new space at East River.
The group has chosen to locate its headquarters within the East River development, one of the most impactful urban revitalization projects in Houston’s urban core in a generation. East River’s 150 acres of carefully designed, multi-phase, mixed-use development is transforming the city’s waterfront east of downtown into a new economic center.
Designed to grow and evolve through multiple phases, East River is positioned to serve a wide range of residents, globally competitive companies, cutting-edge retail and restaurant concepts and an array of institutional, educational and recreational opportunities.
The project’s early phases of development set the tone for a world-class collection of districts by focusing on connecting Houston’s urban fabric to central green spaces, active transportation, upgraded infrastructure and a mile of waterfront along Buffalo Bayou.
April 21, 2024 Realty News Report Copyright 2024
Photo Courtesy Midway
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File: CoolxDad to Open Headquarters at East River