For Immediate Release
NAREB SETS GOAL OF 2 MILLION NEW BLACK HOME OWNERS
Strategies to kickstart Black homeownership focus of 71st Annual National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Convention in Atlanta
Washington, DC (July 22, 2018) – The Black homeownership rate, currently at 42.2%, is just tenths of a percentage point higher than the same rate reported by the U.S. Census Bureau 50 years ago when the Fair Housing Act was signed into law. This troubling fact is the impetus behind the National Association of Real Estate Brokers’ (NAREB) program to increase Black homeownership by two (2) million over the next five (5) years. The strategies, partnerships and NAREB’s role in galvanizing the energies of a growing community-of-concern will be covered at its 71st Annual Convention, “Building Black Wealth through Homeownership,” July 24-29, 2018, at the Hilton Atlanta.
“Black homeownership is the first, and most essential step to build economic strength within our communities,” said NAREB President Jeffrey Hicks, who is based in Atlanta. “We’ve lost more ground than we’ve gained over the past 50 years. Whether through unmeasurable losses of equity during the country’s last economic meltdown, consistently high unemployment rates, unfavorable federal and state policies restricting affordable homeownership, or systemic mortgage lending barriers, Black homeownership—and therefore our wealth-building potential as a people—remain diminished.”
Convention key note speakers are Stacey Abrams, Georgia gubernatorial candidate, and Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, Jr., James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership, Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act Convention, NAREB
is committing Friday, July 27th to a day-long look back on the five-decade struggle to ensure fair housing for Black and other Americans who may have been denied equal opportunity. The day includes honoring Presidential Medal of Honor recipient, the Reverend Dr. C. T. Vivian. Confirmed speakers are Dr. Benjamin Chavis, activist and president of the National Newspaper Publishers Assn.; Honorable Bill Campbell, former Mayor of the City of Atlanta; Xernona Clayton, legendary broadcaster and founder of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc.; North Carolina legislator, Henry McKinley “Mickey” Michaux; Eric Coates Michaux, distinguished attorney, business leader, activist and one of the first Black students to attend Duke University School of Law, and William T. Robie, Atlanta real estate and appraisal company owner, community leader and 68-year member of NAREB, along with other NAREB legendary leaders for fair housing and equality in the real estate profession.
NAREB’s Convention includes the construction of a strategic foundation to elevate Black homeownership and build wealth. Special emphasis is placed on involving the faith-based community in partnership to help grow Black homeownership. To date, NAREB has signed Memorandums of Understanding with a several faith-based denominations. NAREB is also enlisting the expertise of the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement to train NAREB’s member Realtists and financial services partners to reach and more effectively engage faith-based leaders in the (2Mn5) program.
NAREB will close out its 2018 convention with the free, consumer-focused Community Wealth Building Day event scheduled for Sunday, July 29, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Changing A Generation Church, pastored by Bishop Paul S. Morton, located at 3350 Greenbriar Parkway SW, Atlanta, GA 30331. The free event introduces Atlanta-area residents to the long-term economic benefits of homeownership and makes experts and resources available for consumers to learn about the homebuying and mortgage process from beginning to end.
For more information about the convention visit www.nareb.com or call 301-522-9340. For details about Community Wealth Building Day, call the Empire Board of Realtists at 404-755-5575.
Contact: Joanne Williams I 215-519-2831 I jlwilliams@barrington-associates.com
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The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) was formed in 1947 to secure the right to 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 along with promoting access to business opportunity for Black real estate professionals. NAREB annually publishes The State of Housing in Black America report. www.nareb.com