City & State New York named Shams DaBaron to its 2026 Black Trailblazers list, published on February 2, 2026. DaBaron is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LionFox Development and co-developer of One45 in Harlem. He is known nationally as Da Homeless Hero and Da Housing Hero.
City & State publishes the list each year at the start of Black History Month to recognize leaders in government, politics, business, social services, higher education, and organized labor. DaBaron’s entry is titled “Founder, LionFox Development.”
LionFox Development, LLC is a New York City real estate development company founded in 2023 by Shams DaBaron. We develop mixed-income and affordable housing for people at every income level. With our development partners, LionFox raises the financing, acquires the property, guides each project through public approvals, and oversees design and construction until the doors open. We also advise developers, nonprofits, and public agencies on zoning, financing, and approvals.
At One45, LionFox is co-developer, delivering the affordable housing. The project is 1,000 apartments across 3 buildings at West 145th Street and Lenox Avenue, including 338 permanently affordable homes, 90 of them in a 100% affordable building for seniors. The City Council approved it unanimously in July 2025.
The full 2026 Black Trailblazers list is available from City & State New York at the link below.
