About us
The Norman F. Holmes Foundation (NFHF) Inc, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to address both the immediate and long term needs of the youth and minority businesses in our community. NFHF’s mission is to support the opportunities for and provide resources to young athletes, small businesses and families that otherwise would not be available. The untimely passing of Norman F. Holmes in November 2022 influenced his family to create this foundation to recognize, honor and continue to build upon his legacy of impacting the potential of student-athletes, small businesses and the local community at-large.
Norman F. Holmes gained and developed his professional skills and abilities from personal accomplishments obtained initially as a solider in the Marine Corps, and later as a pioneer becoming one of the first African-American men to play College basketball at West Virginia University in 1964, breaking the color barrier. Because of his efforts, he would be inducted into the West Virginia University Basketball Hall of Fame. Despite numerous opportunities to pursue a career in professional sports, with the NBA’s Baltimore Bullets and NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, he elected to attend The George Washington University Law School where he finished his studies in 1973. He would go on to start his career as a banker with American Security Bank, currently known as Bank of America, becoming one of the first African-Americans hired by the Bank. It’s during his early professional career, when Norman would gain an understanding for personal sacrifice and service for the greater good. He demonstrated his beliefs through his ceaseless dedication to the youth, and to small businesses.
Based on Norman’s outstanding level of coaching in youth sports, and his penchant for providing astute advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, Norman became a renowned age group trainer in the DC/MD/VA area where he coached in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball and track and field programs. As a result, many small business owners succeeded in business and student athletes earned college scholarships based on their individual accomplishments in academics as well as in sports. It was Norman’s strong belief that one must be whole-heartedly engaged and committed to such an important cause of supporting youth programs and developing small businesses.
“Lewis, All-American guard Ron "Fritz" Williams, Ed Harvard, Holmes and Carl Head were the first Black players to play in the Southern Conference during the 1965-66 season.”
News & Updates
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News & Updates |
Meet our Executive Director
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Greg Holmes is a dynamic Corporate Development Partner at Washington Baltimore Development Co. (WBDC), where he brings over 15 years of forward-thinking experience to his role. At WBDC, Greg spearheads initiatives to drive business growth, enhance community engagement, and expand the firm’s strategic partnerships.
With a strength for bridging connections between stakeholders, Greg has cultivated robust relationships with an array of private and government entities. His collaborative efforts have benefitted organizations such as UPS, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), and the State of Maryland, as well as Prince George's Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC), and various Chambers of Commerce. Greg’s strategic insight is pivotal in channeling vital resources towards fostering economic development in growing communities.
In 2021 and 2022, Greg was instrumental in launching an innovative diversity, equity, and inclusion procurement partnership with ISOBAR Public Sector. This groundbreaking initiative provided Black-owned IT firms with advanced technical training, significantly enhancing their ability to scale operations within both private and public sectors.
Beyond his professional achievements, Greg is deeply committed to advocating for minority businesses. As the Executive Director of the Norman F. Holmes Foundation, Inc., he leverages his passion and expertise to unlock new opportunities and support the growth and sustainability of these enterprises, reinforcing his commitment to economic diversity and inclusion. Greg Holmes is a visionary corporate leader, driving transformative change across the business landscape.