Urban Suburban is proud to be an industry leader in real estate development, construction, building and renovation, property management, and strategic property acquisition. As we continue to grow and achieve our goals, we want to share the news.

Below is a resource of articles about our companies and founders. Feel free to contact us with your questions or comments.

TEN POWER PLAYERS IN THE GAME OF REAL ESTATE                                                                                    DOWNLOAD .PDF
By Shari Blalock     
Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine May 2006

Although it's no secret that real estate is a big business, few African Americans are at the helm of the prosperous industry. Yet, as we highlight some of the new faces of real estate, we cannot exclude the men and women who have achieved status in the white-male dominated industry. In spite of their achievements, each power player strives to continue to create opportunities for minority lenders and prospective homeowners; in their respective field whether it is in development, planning, lending or any of the other diverse aspects of the industry. READ MORE

BUSINESS PROFILE: LESSON OF A LIFETIME                                                                                                          DOWNLOAD .PDF  
By Rodney Carmichael
Rolling Out, Atlanta  March 4, 2004

While his high school friends were slaving their summers away for minimum wage at Six Flags, Herbert W. Greene, Jr. was raking in real dough banking on real estate and property management.

"My friends were 'joning' me because I didn't work at Six Flags with them," Greene said, admitting how he actually yearned to join them at the time. But to whom much is given, much is required. READ MORE

IT TAKES TWO: HERBERT, JR AND CYNTHIA GREENE – THE MAIN INGREDIENT                                   DOWNLOAD .PDF  
By Rodney Carmichael
Rolling Out, Atlanta  February 19, 2004

The family that prays together stays together. For the Greene's, however, staying together is merely the tip of the iceberg. In fact, this power couple plans to create a dynasty that just may last long after they're gone.

Both preside full-time over their own individual business interests in addition to being full-time mother and father to three children. Herbert runs the real estate development company, Urban Suburban, as well as Jet Bonding Company – both located on Peachtree St. Meanwhile, Cynthia recently started Peachtree DUI and Defensive Driving Clinic on Donald L Hollowell Pkwy (formerly Bankhead Hwy.) READ MORE

BUSINESS PROFILE: HERBERT GREENE - EXTRAORDINARY ENTREPRENEUR                                      DOWNLOAD .PDF  
By Yaminah Ahmad
Rolling Out, Atlanta  April 5, 2001

“Unfortunately, there isn't realty an institution that teaches us how to handle our money, teaches the value of managing our credit, and teaches us how to become entrepreneurs,” stated Herbert Greene, owner of Urban Suburban. As a successful businessman of a construction company, a nursery, and a bail bonding company inherited from his father, Greene understands the value of African-American entrepreneurship. While 45 million African-Americans work full time everyday, they still live in poverty. The school system in inner-cities lack the proper educational tools, such as, updated computers and books. Some argue the mind frame of our educational system is inaccurate. We are taught in high school, and even most colleges to work hard in order to advance in others' company, rather than own our own. Greene's keen observation into our lack of quality education gives an indication to understanding his success. READ MORE

TEN POWER PLAYERS IN THE GAME OF REAL ESTATE
By Shari Blalock
Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine May 2006

Although it's no secret that real estate is a big business, few African Americans are at the helm of the prosperous industry. Yet, as we highlight some of the new faces of real estate, we cannot exclude the men and women who have achieved status in the white-male dominated industry. In spite of their achievements, each power player strives to continue to create opportunities for minority lenders and prospective homeowners; in their respective field whether it is in development, planning, lending or any of the other diverse aspects of the industry.

Herbert Greene, Jr
President, Urban Suburban, Inc.

In 1981, Herbert Greene Jr. began his career in real estate development with the purchase of one eight-room boarding house. Through the purchase, redevelopment and sale of subsequent residential and commercial properties, Urban Suburban, Inc. has successfully leveraged its assets to start nine other businesses. To date, this diverse Urban Suburban portfolio is valued at more than $22 million.

'Initially I provided homes for the working homeless," he recalls. "Now I provide working environments for urban professionals. I still have some residential communities because I still want to maintain my presence in the city as well as suburban areas.”

Greene has realized many successes in his business career. With the success of the Urban Suburban office building under his belt, he purchased the Atlanta Executive Center located at 2001 Martin Luther King Dr. in 2004. This building is a six-story, 85,000 square foot office building offering luxury accommodations to businesses. It is home to the Art on 5 Gallery of African American Art, and the Benedita De Sllva Foundation.

Greene earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Morehouse College.


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BUSINESS PROFILE: LESSON OF A LIFETIME
By Rodney Carmichael
Rolling Out, Atlanta  March 4, 2004

While his high school friends were slaving their summers away for minimum wage at Six Flags, Herbert W. Greene, Jr. was raking in real dough banking on real estate and property management.

"My friends were 'joning' me because I didn't work at Six Flags with them," Greene said, admitting how he actually yearned to join them at the time. But to whom much is given, much is required.

As the son of Herbert Greene, Sr., the younger Greene would one day inherit his father's Jet Bonding Company. But his true inheritance was the priceless work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit His father began instilling in him at an early age. I think I did my first finance deal when I was about 16. And 1 bought my first piece of property when I was 18," stated Greene, who concentrated his buying power in his own southwest Atlanta community long before the gentrification phenomenon. "People who had money weren't really coming there. So it just gave me a niche." He'd purchase the old homes for as little as $5,000 and rent out individual rooms for $60 a week. About the time most young adults are struggling to establish themselves fresh out of college, Greene, Jr. was pulling in a good $7,000 a week with very little overhead.

In 1993, Greene, Jr. became the sole shareholder of the real estate development, collection and property management company he originally started with two partners in 1985. Today, he operates it full-time from his downtown Peachtree St. low-rise—which he built from the ground up.

Urban Suburban also owns 100 acres of land along the Cascade corridor that Greene is exploring opportunities to develop residentially.

On Friday the 13th of July 1990, Greene's father had a boating accent that left him incapable of steering the helm at Jet Bonding or his other business venture; Immediately, Herbert Jr. 'became responsible for running his father's businesses, in addition to his own. "We did not have a planned succession. He went on vacation and essentially, as, a professional he never came back," said Greene of the challenging transition. “Obviously when everything is going smooth, it’s no real challenge to do anything. But sometimes when there are circumstances that appear to encumber your path…what I try to do in those instances is improve Herb."

As a result, Greene is slowly improving the world around him.

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IT TAKES TWO: HERBERT, JR AND CYNTHIA GREENE – THE MAIN INGREDIENT
By Rodney Carmichael
Rolling Out, Atlanta  February 19, 2004

The family that prays together stays together. For the Greene's, however, staying together is merely the tip of the iceberg. In fact, this power couple plans to create a dynasty that just may last long after they're gone.

Both preside full-time over their own individual business interests in addition to being full-time mother and father to three children. Herbert runs the real estate development company, Urban Suburban, as well as Jet Bonding Company – both located on Peachtree St. Meanwhile, Cynthia recently started Peachtree DUI and Defensive Driving Clinic on Donald L Hollowell Pkwy (formerly Bankhead Hwy.).

The two met at the old Rio Mall several years ago. Herbert was eating with a friend at the Crab House when Cynthia and some girlfriends walked by his table. Herbert and Cynthia made eye-contact. He told himself, white spying her, that if she turned around to look his way again, he would get up and ask for her number. She did. Herbert got the digits.

“He chased me down,” Cynthia says, laughing. Although the two have been married for more than five years, they still manage to keep it as fresh as newlyweds. When asked to reveal their secret, the answer comes without a second thought: “Jesus,”  Herbert says. “Thank you, Jesus,” Cynthia echoes. “You can say that again.”

The biggest change for Cynthia has been transitioning from full-time motherhood to full-time business owner. She gets help from Herbert's mother, who picks the grandkids after school. Though Cynthia misses being with her children all day, the thought of their future encourages her to work harder.

“It’s all about being true to yourself and having God in your life.”

Cynthia says when asked about her motivation, “We do a lot of praying.” They also try to visualize what their lives will be like as their ultimate goals begin to manifest, according to Herbert, who uses his dad as a model of fatherhood.

“It's not like we're a success story,” Herbert says. “We're a work in progress. Maybe the fact that we are a work in progress means that we are a success story. But I don't know if we would be the standard. We're looking for a standard ourselves.”

When Herbert and Cynthia talk about their businesses and the foundation they're building, the word “community” enters the conversation often. Perhaps that's because it’s a true reflection of where their hearts are – collectively and individually.


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BUSINESS PROFILE: HERBERT GREENE - EXTRAORDINARY ENTREPRENEUR
By Yaminah Ahmad
Rolling Out, Atlanta  April 5, 2001

“Unfortunately, there isn't realty an institution that teaches us how to handle our money, teaches the value of managing our credit, and teaches us how to become entrepreneurs,” stated Herbert Greene, owner of Urban Suburban. As a successful businessman of a construction company, a nursery, and a bail bonding company inherited from his father, Greene understands the value of African-American entrepreneurship. While 45 million African-Americans work full time everyday, they still live in poverty. The school system in inner-cities lack the proper educational tools, such as, updated computers and books. Some argue the mind frame of our educational system is inaccurate. We are taught in high school, and even most colleges to work hard in order to advance in others' company, rather than own our own. Greene's keen observation into our lack of quality education gives an in
ication to understanding his success.

Greene believes African-American entrepreneurship is vital for the community. While other ethnic groups have family businesses that's been in existence for generations, Greene pointed out, "Every time there's a new generation, we have to start over, whereas, they're building on ten and twenty generations. There are very few 100-year-old black businesses. Unfortunately, when you do have successful black businesses, the second generation is not nearly as successful. We need to spend time making sure we educate and train our children to be entrepreneurs.”

Greene handles an array of business ventures, which keeps him busy. The bail bonding company has been in his family for 32 years. Greene believes this business aids a great deal of African-Americans in an unseeingly way. He shared, 'It's sad there are a lot of African-American males and females that go to jail. But, I'm glad I'm there to get them out because often times, our community has to have subjective collateral in order to get out of jail, The criteria in which a (bail bonding) company is evaluated on whether they're going to get someone out of jail is based on imperial and analytical data. So, we have to compete when the playing field is "not leveled.' So, Greene steps in to level out the playing field with his reputation and excellent financing criteria in hand to assist.

All aspects of Greene's businesses have a bright future. His firm has a 2 million dollar bond capacity, and he just acquired a 7-figure loan to add 29,000 square feet to his building. "I plan on doing some loft conversions, and residential, commercial, and development."

Greene says his success is due to God for birthing him to parents who stressed education. But, he also revealed a successful businessman should, "know the difference between an asset, a liability, and an expense. It's important to live below your means, and resist temptation to take shortcuts. 1 know you definitely have to be persistent, educated, and assertive. But, never give up." Greene also takes great satisfaction in continuing his father's achievements. 'It gives me a great sense of pride when I can hire brothers and sisters. I feel really good that my parents educated me, and taught me what's right. Now I can in turn take care of them."

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