Memphis Community Wealth Building Day to Boost Homeownership for Black Residents

AChafukira • April 11, 2018

For Immediate Release

MEMPHIS COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING DAY

TO BOOST HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR BLACK RESIDENTS

NAREB to host free event for Memphis area Black residents to learn why homeownership builds wealth and how it still is possible.

Washington, DC – April 10, 2018 – Homeownership is within reach of Black Americans and continues to be the best way to start building wealth. Memphis area Black residents are invited to attend Community Wealth Building Day, Saturday, April 14, 2018, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. to learn how. The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), its local chapter, NAREB Memphis, and NAREB Affiliate, NID-HCA Housing Counseling Agency have brought together real estate industry experts, certified housing counselors, representatives of the faith-based community, mortgage lenders and government agencies representing every aspect of the home buying process. Experts will be available to answer questions and demonstrate that owning a home, or investing in real estate is not only possible, but desirable.

Free to the public, Community Wealth Building Day will take place at Lemoyne-Owen College, Student Union Building, 807 Walker Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126.

“Homeownership rates and mortgage loans for Black Americans in Memphis continue to slip downward. Right now, Black people account for 63% of the population, but only account for 26.5% of the new mortgage loans. Whites, on the other hand represent 29% of the Memphis population received 54% of the new mortgage loans,” said Jeffrey Hicks, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the country’s oldest minority real estate trade association formed in 1947 to ensure equal homeownership opportunities for Black consumers.

“These statistics are troubling, not only for new, potential Black homebuyers looking to settle down in Memphis, but also for the city’s economic future should the downward trend continue. That’s exactly why NAREB is focused on making accurate information and resources available, as well as explaining the credit trap and how to address financial challenges that appear as obstacles to building wealth and homeownership,” Hicks added.

Community Wealth Building Day kicks off with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. opening the Vendor Showcase and admittance to the consumer information sessions, the Clergy Roundtable, and complimentary lunch for all attendees. NAREB is paying special attention to college students and millennials, offering a session designed to help them navigate through the student loan burden and understand that building wealth through homeownership remains within their reach.

Families are encouraged to bring their children to have fun in the Kids Zone. Special guests speaking at the lunch program include: Pastor Dwayne Hunt, Abundant Grace Fellowship Church, Jeffrey Hicks, NAREB president, along with remarks from two event sponsors Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

Consumers can expect to hear about the availability of purchase assistance funds; addressing bad credit issues; preserving wealth, along with a session to help consumers understand the mortgage process, what to expect from a lender and what questions to ask. The first 100 people will receive a free credit report and an assessment.

Consumers are encouraged to ask questions from the experts to get the answers they need about home purchase or real estate investment strategies. Throughout the day, event participants can register for prizes including a washer/dryer combo, flat screen TV and other giveaways as they interact with Community Wealth Building Day exhibitors.

Sherita McCray, president, NAREB Memphis chapter stated, “NAREB’s Community Wealth Building Day is important to Black Memphis residents because we are an organization that educates, promotes and build wealth through homeownership…Black residents should come out to get free information on homeownership, down payment assistance and first-time home buyers program, credit repair and sustainability of your home from real estate professionals that look like them. NAREB Memphis wants our Black residents to take back our neighborhoods and improve our communities by building wealth through homeownership, Black businesses and most of all, education.”

“NAREB has started a movement, our 2 Million New Black Homeowners program to establish a new wealth building platform for Black Americans, nationwide. The program is not only our commitment, but our responsibility and obligation to our community. We’re so pleased to bring the program to Memphis,” Hicks added.

For more information and to register for the FREE Community Wealth Building Day call 910-503-7276

* * * * *

About NAREB:

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) was formed in 1947 to secure the right to equal housing opportunities for all regardless of race, creed, or color. NAREB has 90 chapters located nationwide and publishes annually The State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) Report. Visit www.nareb.com for more information. Or call 301-552-9340.

Contact: Joanne Williams I 202.364.0024 or 215.519.2831 jlwilliams@barrington-associates.com

March 19, 2025
The National Building Black Wealth Day Follows The Resounding Success of Our Mid-Winter Conference In February, Where We Equipped Our Community With the Tools, Strategies, and Insights Needed to Thrive In an Evolving Industry. ST. LOUIS, MO— The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) will present its second annual National Building Black Wealth Day on April 12, 2025, with live events in more than 100 cities across the country. Seminars and one-on-one sessions will empower communities with steps towards homeownership, property investment, starting a business, and other wealth-building opportunities. An internet feed will make virtual sessions accessible to a national audience. To register for the in-person events in 100 cities, please go to XXXXX. To register for the virtual sessions on Zoom, click HERE. Act quickly as the virtual sessions have limited spots available. We also encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks to help us reach more Black consumers. Key partners in the tour, include the African American Mayors Association, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Church of God in Christ, Inc., the National Baptist Convention, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Bar Association, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. “Participation by our partners underscores their commitment to empowerment and economic development in our communities,” said Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose. “The Building Black Wealth Tour is expanding for 2025. We are bringing together families, lenders, attorneys, and real estate professionals to discuss and implement strategies for increasing Black homeownership and building wealth within Black communities.” Rose noted that NAREB’s 2024 State of Housing in Black America report found that more than two million mortgage-ready Black Americans have the income and credit to buy a home but have not yet become homeowners. In addition, 1.75 million Black millennials make over $100k annually and are poised to be homeowners. Further, Freddie Mac tracks the number of “mortgage-ready” renters nationwide , meaning they can meet certain income and credit requirements to qualify for a mortgage. Their researchers determined that as of January 2021, two million Blacks ages 45 or younger are near mortgage-ready, while another 3.4 million are potentially mortgage-ready. “Our tour aims to reach these Black consumers,” said Dr. Rose. “We are providing them with data and information on why they should be homeowners. We explain the many benefits of homeownership, such as building wealth, stable communities and building equity for retirements, college educations for their children, starting a business or more.” On National Building Black Wealth Day, hundreds of families and individuals will be armed with the information needed to make wealth-building decisions. Among the opportunities/Workshops are: What to do with Big Momma's House? ABCs of Homebuying Real Estate Investing Down Payment Assistance Explore Careers in Real Estate Free Career Fair Free Health Screenings One On Ones with Real Estate Attorneys One On Ones with Housing Counselors The Black Wealth Day comes after NAREB’s successful Mid-Winter Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, last month. This year’s conference, themed "Navigating New Horizons," empowered real estate professionals with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to thrive in an evolving industry. Speakers included Dr. Egypt Sherrod , Host and Executive Producer of HGTV’s Married to Real Estate; Catrese Fields Alston, Philanthropist and CEO of Le-Bleu Diamond Corporation; Hill Harper , Award-Winning Actor and Activist and Laura Escobar , President of Lennar Mortgage and 2025 Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). “Our Mid-Winter Conference helped NAREB Realtists® prepare for the shifting landscape of the real estate industry,” said Dr. Rose . “Realtists are on the front lines, working with families to secure homeownership and build generational wealth. In today’s challenging market, our members are more valuable than ever, and this conference ensured they have the knowledge and support to make a lasting impact in Black communities.” ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS NAREB was formed in 1947 to secure equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or color. NAREB has advocated for legislation and supported or instigated legal challenges that ensure fair housing, sustainable homeownership, and access to credit for Black Americans. Simultaneously, NAREB advocates for and promotes access to business opportunities for Black real estate professionals in each real estate discipline. From the past to the present, NAREB remains an association that is proud of its history, dedicated to its chosen struggle, and unrelenting in its pursuit of the REALTIST®’s mission/vision embedded goal, “Democracy in Housing.”
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