Actor Malik Yoba visited Augusta on Aug. 6 – 8 to meet with officials with the Augusta Economic Development Authority and Land Bank Authority and have a look at the former Regency Mall site.
In Hollywood, Yoba is most well known for his role portraying Yule Brenner in the John Candy film “Cool Runnings,” as well as roles in the television programs “New York Undercover,” “Designated Survivor” and “Empire.” Yoba also owns the Yoba Development Foundation Corporation, headquartered in New York City.
According to Cal Wray, executive director of the Augusta Economic Development Board, Yoba is interested in partnering with Cardinale Management, the owner of the Regency Mall property, and the Georgia School of Innovation and Classics (GSIC), which wants to expand to the site.
“My understanding is that Cardinale is a retail developer and does not get involved in the residential side, and Yoba Development would provide that part of the project,” Wray said.
Wray also said that while the new apartments and retail will be built on the Regency Mall footprint, GSIC will occupy the former Sears call center.
“That building is in good condition and the perfect spot for them to expand starting with K-2 or K-3 and adding grades each year as the students move up,” Wray said.
The former Sears building is currently co-owned by the Salvation Army and the CSRA Community Foundation by way of a private donation.
Wray says that, to his knowledge, no agreements have been made; however, Yoba did post on Instagram of his interest in Augusta, but the post was almost immediately taken down.
Yoba Development’s website touts the organization as “Builder of People, Places and Things,” and to have the educational component of mentoring youth who desire to get into the real estate business.
The group claims to have been founded in 2017, but New York Department of State records show that Yoba Development was created as of November of 2022 and is listed as a non-profit entity.
There are only three people listed on the website: the CEO, CFO and an educational director.
While the organization claims to have active projects in both New York and Baltimore; there is no evidence to be found of actual boots on the ground, such as ground breaking or ribbon cutting ceremonies or press coverage.
WBAL-TV in Baltimore did report on a controversial 15-year-long mixed-income building project in that city, but the development company is Le Cite Developers, and it appears that Yoba only “partnered” on the project after construction was starting or already underway.
According to Wray, his understanding is that Yoba Developers partners with other developers on projects and says that he has not been given any information about any past projects or work experience of Yoba Developers.
“I was just asked to pick him up at his hotel, take him by the Regency site and on to the airport,” Wray said.
The company’s website recently announced the “I build NY” initiative. According to the website, the company states it will work with the Frederick Douglass Houses Tenant Association and the New York City Housing Authority to rehab and create Section 8 low-income housing; but again, there is no indication the initiative has gone beyond the discussion phase.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Yoba’s acting career has netted him between $3 and $4 million.
Currently, Yoba is on a tour of sorts with speaking engagements where he promotes his film, “The Real Estate Mixtape Vol.1.” While the actor spent two days in Augusta, no announcement was made or public reception held.
Despite repeated requests, no one from Yoba Development was available for comment.
Yoba is also scheduled to speak at the Augusta Landbank’s Development Conference to be held at Augusta Technical College Oct. 3 – 6. Tickets to the event are $158.61, according to the Augusta Land Bank Authority’s website.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
