BCREN - Black Commercial Real Estate Network

🌱 Cultivating Change: Embedding Racial Equity in Real Estate Development 🌱 Last week I had the privilege of delivering the keynote at ULI New York's inaugural 2024 Equitable Development Summit, where we explored ULI’s 10 Principles for Embedding Racial Equity in Real Estate Development. Published in 2022, the report calls on industry leaders to center racial equity in their strategies and operations. These 10 Principles are not a prescriptive "how-to" but seeds of insight and change, meant to grow within our organizations. Yet, these seeds can only thrive if we prepare the environment, nurture their growth, and remain vigilant stewards of the change we seek. Without intentional care, they risk being uprooted prematurely, as we've seen in recent shifts across the country. Since the report's release, changes in the political climate have led some companies to retract their racial equity commitments, due to external pressures, impatience, or a lack of clarity on why these commitments were made. Our discussion emphasized the importance of stewarding change, enriched by insights from leaders who are putting these principles into practice and fostering equitable development outcomes: Joe Ritchie of Tishman Speyer Dawanna Williams of Dabar Development Partners LLC ShehilaRae Stephens of New York City Economic Development Corporation Robin Zeigler of MURAL Real Estate Partners Brian Allan Jackson of LEO Impact Capital Their insights were invaluable, demonstrating the power of intentional, sustained efforts. Grateful to Eric Rothman, Sam Mullins, Morgan Fleischman, and Andrea Wong-Miller for organizing this event. Let’s continue to cultivate environments where these seeds of transformation can grow strong and flourish into tangible, equitable practices that uplift everyone. 🌱🌍 #RealEstateDevelopment #Equity #Inclusion #SustainableDevelopment #Leadership Photo Credit: @Elena Olivo Photography, https://lnkd.in/dZ6dBd3q For more information on ULI's 10 Principles for Embedding Racial Equity in Real Estate Development, visit: https://lnkd.in/eJKtaJVU

BCREN - Black Commercial Real Estate Network would like to thank LivCor, a Blackstone Portfolio Company for their generous support as a 2025 Platinum Partner. Thank you for believing in the vision and thank you for your continued commitment to creating space for all to thrive! Special thank you to Quiana Hollie for your support in getting this done!

We had a strong showing from the BCREN - Black Commercial Real Estate Network at the SIOR Global Fall conference in Los Angeles this week! Great topics, speakers, and venue. Bonds were formed and deals got done. There was a special energy in Hollywood and we all left hopeful for the future of this industry. Special thanks to David Lockwood, SIOR, CCIM, CRE Robert Thornburgh, SIOR, CCIM and all of the amazing folks that helped put on this event. Also, a special thank you to Derith Jarvis Dustin Sutton CBRE T. Dallas Smith & Company Meissner CRES Loews Hollywood Hotel, LLC and all of our partners and sponsors.

BCREN - Black Commercial Real Estate Network would like to thank Link Logistics for being a 2025 Gold Partner. Thank you for believing in the vision and thank you for your continued commitment to creating space for all to thrive! Special thank you to Abena Oni, Yemi Alade, LEED AP, Forrest Askew, III and Peggy K. Wong, for your support in getting this done!

🎉 BCREN - Black Commercial Real Estate Network Celebrating Four Remarkable Years 🎉 We celebrate four years of empowerment, innovation, and community in the commercial real estate industry. Over these years, we've grown from a promising idea into a thriving network that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our Achievements: ⭐ Empowered Professionals: We’ve empowered hundreds of Black professionals with the tools, resources, and connections needed to excel in commercial real estate. From skill-building workshops to career advancement opportunities, our members have accessed a wealth of resources that have propelled their careers forward. ⭐ Fostered Connections: Our network has facilitated countless connections that have led to mentorships, partnerships, and deals. These relationships are the foundation of our community's strength and the driving force behind our collective success. ⭐ Influenced the Industry: BCREN has been at the forefront of advocating for diversity and inclusion within the commercial real estate sector. We’ve partnered with industry leaders to ensure that the voices of Black professionals are heard and valued at every level. ⭐ Looking Ahead: As we look to the future, BCREN remains committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact. We are excited about launching new initiatives that continue to support our members' professional growth and promote inclusivity in the industry. A Heartfelt Thank You: We couldn't have reached this milestone without our dedicated members, partners, and sponsors. Your belief in our mission and your commitment to our community have been pivotal to our success. We are grateful for your continued support and are eager to embark on the next chapter together. Here’s to many more years of success, growth, and empowerment at BCREN! Join Us: If you're passionate about commercial real estate and believe in the power of diversity, we invite you to join us. Together, we can continue to break barriers and create a more inclusive industry. Stay up-to-date with us, follow our Page. cc: Walker & Dunlop Link Logistics CoreNet Global SIOR Global Meissner CRES Derith Jarvis Dustin Sutton

The BCREN is happy to support this very important program on access to capital for under-resourced communities. In partnership with the Community Developers Roundtable and AAREP DFW we are delighted to have TruFund Financial Services, MSquared, and Blue Vista Capital Management provide insight into the different programs they have available for equity funding and capital investment projects. You can register here: https://lnkd.in/gNsdMhyg Special Thanks To: Maggie J. Parker, Brandon Bradley, Derith Jarvis, and Elizabeth Curet for organizing. Thank you also to our panelists: Andrea Wenner, Jerrel Duffy Jr, Dwight Stephenson, and Michael Wieden! See you there!

🌟 New Episode Alert on the Tools Talents & Techniques (podcast)!🎙️ Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Craig Robinson, a luminary in the commercial real estate world. 🏢💼 From an unpaid intern to a leader in global real estate, Craig's path is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, host Dustin Sutton and Craig discuss the art of navigating careers with an open mind and the crucial role of EQ and purpose in achieving success. 🧭✨ They explore Craig's non-traditional entry into real estate, his shift from engineering to discovering a passion for urban renewal, and the strategies that guided him through the complex landscape of the industry. Craig introduces his personal decision-making framework, GEL (Good at, Excites you, Lifestyle), which has been instrumental in shaping his career choices. 🌐🔑 They highlight the importance of embracing life's uncertainties, understanding personal strengths and passions, and finding the right balance in life. This conversation is packed with insights on building meaningful relationships, the value of mentors, and the power of curiosity and empathy. 🤝💡 Whether you’re in real estate, contemplating a career pivot, or seeking inspiration to navigate your professional journey, this episode offers invaluable wisdom. Listen now on Apple Podcasts 👉 https://lnkd.in/gcQRppKH Spotify 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3r_ZPQb or watch on YouTube 👉 https://lnkd.in/gApqQ3FA Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your network! #CommercialRealEstate #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #Mentorship #RealEstateInvesting #Podcast #the3Tpod #CraigRobinson #UrbanRenewal #ProfessionalGrowth 🔗 Connect with Craig Robinson: (https://lnkd.in/g3WB95Qh) Follow us for more: X: (https://lnkd.in/gYJg6d2d) Instagram: (https://lnkd.in/gTe5WSTG) Main Site: (https://lnkd.in/g574jND6) 🎵 Outro music by C€$: (https://lnkd.in/gBkzEHCa)

Moment of reflection as we close the 8th month of 2024! This has been one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of my professional career. Having the opportunity to mentor and share experiences with these driven young professionals over the last 8 months confirms that the future of CRE is bright! These young professionals are all aspiring or current production professionals in traditional brokerage or capital markets. In the first year of this 12-month program we’ve done include sponsoring their attendance to industry events (SIOR, DevelUP, and DCRE conferences), awarding scholarships (Corenet Global QPCR and CCIM), paring them with individual mentors, and providing monthly programming like: • Building a business/career plan I &II • Building a marketing presence on LinkedIn, social media best practices • Prospecting • Understanding the Enterprise and the Big Picture: A peak behind the curtain at all the services of CBRE, JLL, and C&W • Introductions to Designations (SIOR, CCIM, MCR and CPM) • Best Practices in the Mentor/Mentee relationship I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all those who have helped with our monthly programming sessions: Kris Lowe, Torrey Littlejohn, Daniel Poku, Murphy Cheatham, Ethan Waite, Matthew E. Drane, Dustin Sutton, Audra Cunningham, Kenisha Robnett, CCIM, MRED, Ebony Brown, Crystal Castille-Cromedy, Kelani Blackwell, Garland F., Jessica Pernicone, MCR, David Lockwood, SIOR, CCIM, CRE, LaShay Sydnor, Jasmyn Sylvester, CPM®, ACoM, Tanya Mitchell, MBA, and Rebecca Matchette. Thank you for your commitment to impact! If you'd like to learn more about our YP program or the BCREN, don't hesitate to send a LinkedIn message or email derith@bcren.org.

As we reflect on the significance Juneteenth and the path to freedom for Black Americans, we at the BCREN are also overwhelmed in gratitude for the support of all who join us in making commercial real estate more accessible and equitable. The BCREN would like to express our sincerest thanks to our partners and sponsors for your unwavering support in moving the mission forward. Thank you to our latest gold sponsor Link Logistics. Thank you to the leaders of SIOR Global for your generous support of 12 BCREN members in attending your most recent conference. Thank you CoreNet Global for supporting 3 members of our 2024 BCREN young professionals cohort with scholarships to the QPCR designation program. Thank you to the wonderful leaders (Jessica Pernicone, MCR, David Lockwood, SIOR, CCIM, CRE, Jasmyn Sylvester, CPM®, ACoM, and LaShay Sydnor) who volunteered to be a part of our most recent Introduction to Designations program! Thank You, It is making a difference! Dustin Sutton, Derith Jarvis, Ebony Brown, Reesa Fischer, Quiana Hollie, Crystal Castille-Cromedy, Mark Allen, CCIM, MSRE, Sean Tate, Tanya Mitchell, MBA, Matthew E. Drane

The BCREN would like to welcome Tanya Mitchell, MBA to our Board of Directors. Tanya is Director of Employee Relations with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Tanya is a DE&I and supplier diversity advocate, and she is heavily involved with Urban Land Institute, The Partnership, Inc., and CREW Boston. In addition, she is also an alum of Project Reap. Over her career she has lent her talents to several other impact organizations. We are excited to have her join us on this journey. Learn more about Tanya here: https://lnkd.in/gAsR9HFD Dustin Sutton, Reesa Fischer, Ebony Brown, Mark Allen, CCIM, MSRE, Crystal Castille-Cromedy, Quiana Hollie, Sean Tate, Matthew E. Drane, Derith Jarvis