management team

James S. Dorcely is a real estate developer, entrepreneur, and finance professional with more than 20 years of experience.

Mr. Dorcely entered the banking and finance industry as an Investment Banker on Wall Street. In 2001, he transitioned to real estate financing and lending when he accepted a position with The Bank of New York. Mr. Dorcely quickly built a name for himself as an industry leader and became the standard for excellence amongst his peers. Subsequently, Mr. Dorcely managed Real Estate Lending Divisions at Citibank, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.

Mr. Dorcely has many years of experience in the planning, development, and financing of affordable, market rate housing as well as retail & commercial properties. He was amongst one of the first bankers that were able to finance new condominiums during Harlem’s revitalization and housing boom of the early 2000s. Mr. Dorcely is the Chief Production Officer at Black Mountain Capital, a real estate and Business banking firm. Mr. Dorcely is also a Managing Partner at Venture Capital Developments, a real estate development and investment firm who currently owns and manages a real estate multifamily portfolio of 357 units valued over $172 million dollars.

Lu-Shawn M. Thompson is a native New Yorker that has spent the majority of her life in service to others. She began her career as Registered Nurse specializing in Emergency/Trauma Care at New Presbyterian Hospital.  It was during this time that she honed her skills in problem solving, communication, empathy, and attention to detail.  In fact, the abilities she developed as a nurse continue to serve her well.

From an early age, Lu-Shawn has always had a heart for people.  Her nurturing spirit and commitment to public service has led her to be active in several prominent civic organizations.  These include, Jack and Jill of America (Brooklyn Chapter), The Links, Inc. (Brooklyn Chapter), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Delta Rho Omega Chapter), Mocha Moms, the Emergency Nurses Association, National Action Network, NAACP, and several other organizations.  Lu-Shawn is also a leader and serves on the boards of 100 Suits for 100 Men, Arc of Justice, Black Institute, Women’s March, and Until Freedom (501c3).

Lu-Shawn was married to Kenneth P. Thompson, Sr. for 17 years until his untimely passing in 2016.  Kenny was a devoted public servant who became the first African American District Attorney for the borough of Brooklyn.  Lu-Shawn devoted herself to continuing his legacy and mission of criminal justice and prison reform.  As such, she supports initiatives that seek to exonerate and release wrongfully convicted people and to eradicate racial disparities in the criminal justice system.  She partnered with New York University School of Law to establish the Kenneth P. Thompson Social Justice Fund and Symposium.  Lu-Shawn is also a strong advocate for health, women and children’s issues.  She has worked with programs designed to provide free health/cancer screenings for men of color.  She has served on the advisory board for the American Heart Association in order to educate African American women about heart disease.  Her passion for children and their well-being has led her to work and lend her voice to organizations dedicated to educational equity and access to resources for this vulnerable population.  Also, her love of the arts and music has led her to become a producer on several Broadway plays.  Most notably, she was a co-producer on the play American Son, starring Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale.

Lu-Shawn’s passion for service has further led her into the affordable housing arena.  She has leveraged her years of experience in the planning, development, and financing of affordable, market rate housing as well as retail & commercial properties in a way that helps others.  Ms. Thompson is a Managing Partner at Venture Capital Developments, a real estate development firm focused on providing affordable housing to underserved communities. Venture Capital Developments currently owns and manages a real estate multifamily portfolio of 357 units valued over $172 million dollars. The importance of home is fundamental as it represents shelter, protection, and a place for our hearts.  She is dedicated to providing affordable housing for underserved communities. Lu-Shawn understands that the lack of income or resources should not preclude anyone from decent housing.