Community development leader Bonita Harrison has been honored with three major nominations in the 2026 Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) Developer Awards. Harrison is nominated for South Side Developer of the Year, Community Developer of the Year, and New Construction Developer of the Year, recognizing her commitment to equitable development and transformative impact across Chicago neighborhoods. 

As the founder and leader of two Chicago-based firms, Sunshine Management and KBM Realty, Harrison has built a reputation for revitalizing communities through thoughtful development strategies and wealth‑building opportunities. Sunshine Management has contributed $30 million toward advancing Black generational wealth, while KBM Realty continues to provide trusted real estate advisory and property management services. 

Throughout her career, Harrison has championed development that is both innovative and responsible. Her work centers on strategic planning, sustainable growth, and community‑driven design. These nominations spotlight her leadership in shaping equitable development and shifting the narrative in historically underinvested Black communities. 

A signature example of her impact is Buy Back the Block, an initiative she co‑led with four other developers to restore community ownership in overlooked neighborhoods. Through this collaboration, the team transformed 11 vacant lots into new three‑flat residential buildings, creating West Woodlawn Pointe and generating construction jobs while ensuring wealth circulates within the community.  

 Harrison currently oversees six active development projects: Sankofa, The Renaissance, Demera, Unity, Ubuntu, and Garfield. Together, these developments reflect her vision for vibrant, modern neighborhoods; communities where children play outdoors, bikes roll through the streets, and families walk hand in hand toward empowered, connected lives.  

Sankofa, the first of these projects scheduled for completion, is a six‑building residential development along Bronzeville Avenue. It will deliver 18 new residential units and is expected to be completed in July 2026. 

The CCLBA Annual Developer Awards, themed “Unlocking the Future,” celebrate developers, nonprofit leaders, municipalities, and businesses transforming communities across Cook County. The 2026 CCLBA Developer Awards & Recognition Luncheon, held on February 19 at The Bridgeport Art Center, is a signature event honoring the hard work and dedication of those whose efforts demonstrate how reinvesting in vacant land can catalyze long‑term, equitable neighborhood growth and contribute to the ongoing success of the Cook County Land Bank Authority.