History

Bertha Flemming founded the idea of the SF URBAN CHC non-profit 50 years ago. She helped minorities, who were otherwise discriminated against by mainstream banks, get loans. She aided people in starting businesses and purchasing their first homes.

Our non-profit continues her legacy with the express interest to provide opportunities to unrecognized communities who find barriers when attempting to borrow money for housing and other economic development activities.

Our Female founded and African-American operated organization’s main function is to bridge the gap between the dreams of home ownership and the socio-economically disadvantaged.

Board Members

Tracy Dearman: Co-founder

With a Masters in Business Administration, Tracy Dearman, has been the president of HSM since 1996, a company founded 55 years ago by her grandmother, Bertha Flemming. Observing the urgent need for a resource in the expanding African American community, Tracy continued her Grandmother’s vision of assisting deserving, hardworking families from all walks of life who wanted to continue to reside in the bay area, by making available the tools and direction to attain the title of homeowner by co-founding SF URBAN CHC in 2004. Utilizing her experience from the corporate world, her strong strategic planning and leadership abilities, Tracy brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion in continuing this legacy through her work with SF URBAN CHC.

Kelly Dearman: Co-founder

Kelly Dearman has been a lawyer and broker in San Francisco for over 10 years . Her rare blend of compassion, empathy and a sharp business acumen has made her a prominent woman in the city of San Francisco. She inherited her philosophy from the vision of her grandmother and founder of HSM, Bertha Flemming. Due to her entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity, she has dedicated herself to helping people of all communities, to fulfill their goal of homeownership in the often daunting maze of the San Francisco bay area housing market.

Donna Duhe: President

"I know that people with vision can make a difference, and I believe passionately that given the correct tools, anyone can make this a better world." Donna brings to us a wealth of business knowledge. In 1984 she began working for RR Donnelley, a Fortune 250 company, specializing in global commercial printing and publishing. Donna has held various management positions in marketing and sales where she managed domestic and global teams. She has served on various boards, including Board of Trustees, Santa Clara University, Board member and President, Holy Names High and currently a Board member on Westside Community Health Center in San Francisco.

Brian Williams: Treasurer

Brian Williams is a recent board member to SF Urban CHC joining in the spring of 2005. Very active in the community as a Big Brother, NAACP volunteer and working with the mentally challenged, Brian wanted to focus his ability to serve those in need of attaining their dream of buying a house. He is a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Brian is a Human Capital Professional for United Behavioral Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.

In Greg’s view, the Bay Area presents peculiar problems of affordability due to the high cost of housing. His background is in mortgage lending since 1977, and he has often been involved with various groups on the for profit side, in liaison with the non-profit community. He has worked with the CDC operations in Oakland and Richmond utilizing 203(k) funds and silent seconds to increase homeownership. He started a mortgage bank in 1992 and purchased Wausau Mortgage Corporation in 1994. At its height, there were 75 branches in California, Nevada, Arizona and Washington State.