Our Summer Intern: The Keep Building Foundation’s Inaugural Sovereign Scholar
As summer winds down at Sovereign Realty & Management, I’m reflecting on an inspiring season of growth, learning, and leadership. This year, we had the privilege of welcoming Zaria Richards as our 2025 Summer Intern. While she’s not our first intern, Zaria represents a milestone: she is The Keep Building Foundation’s very first Sovereign Scholars Intern.
The Keep Building Foundation was founded by my husband, Dr. Michael Hatcher, LEED AP (CEO of Sovereign Construction + Development), and me. As co-founders, our mission is to empower the next generation of real estate development and construction professionals by offering internships, scholarships, mentorship, educational programming, and real-world experience. Our vision is an industry shaped by passionate, well-prepared individuals who drive progress from the ground up and approach development in ways that help communities thrive.
As a rising senior at Drew Charter Senior Academy, Zaria aspires to study Architecture and Urban Planning in college. She brought initiative, curiosity, and heart to every task.
Over the weeks, Zaria immersed herself in every aspect of our business—from real estate and market research to property management, vendor relations, and community engagement. She left a real, lasting impact on our team, all while earning a stipend (yes, a paid internship—something I’m especially proud to offer)! Zaria could have chosen a typical retail job and enjoyed the usual perks, but she brought her talents to us instead, eager to learn. That decision allowed us to invest in her future—the kind of workforce development we envisioned when we started the foundation.
Watching Zaria bridge the gap between her real estate investment dreams, her assumptions from social media, classroom theory, and hands-on practice was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when access meets ambition. Her time with us was more than an internship—it was a launchpad. For us at Sovereign, it reinforced our belief that investing in people is the key to building a stronger industry.
On behalf of everyone at Sovereign Realty & Management and The Keep Building Foundation, I want to thank Zaria for her dedication, energy, and vision. She’s blazed a trail for future scholarship recipients and interns, and I can’t wait to see how her journey unfolds.
If you’re curious about our internship programs or the mission behind The Keep Building Foundation, please reach out. The work continues, and we’re always eager to connect with anyone who wants to help build what’s next.
Always #LiveSovereign,
Karen Hatcher, CPM®
