Old Colony YMCA’s Post

What inspired me to work in the affordable housing industry? Can't wait to hear from our panelists Nov 18th in the Windy City! Two pivotal experiences shaped my path: Volunteering for @Junior Achievement each year in Charlotte, NC. I learned firsthand about food insecurity, financial struggle, and unsafe neighborhoods. I’ll never forget asking the children what they were dressing up as for Halloween—one little boy burst into tears because his mom couldn’t afford a costume, and none of the students trick-or-treated in their own neighborhood.  (Happy to report my team at PwC bought the entire class costumes.) Poverty Simulation hosted for employees by PwC opened my eyes to the uphill battle faced by those financially behind. Simple things like having direct deposit versus riding a bus to a check-cashing agency, or the dilemma of sick children keeping a parent from work translating to no pay for that day (no paid PTO), reminded me how fragile financial stability can be. These experiences gave me a deep sense of purpose—to help ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to live in thriving communities. It’s about creating security, opportunity, and dignity for all. #AffordableHousing

Looking forward to my workshop here on #institutionaladvancement

As we say at Ford, be curious! As we celebrate Black History Month, everyone knows Detroit has a rich heritage of Black prosperity being the home to the auto industry. Did you know that years ago, segregation forced Blacks to certain parts of the city (Paradise Valley the Black business district, and Black Bottom, called this by the early French settlers, due to the rich black farming soil)? Both communities were downtown close to the Detroit River, generational wealth was created and these neighborhoods thrived. The national highway system I-375, displaced these types of neighborhoods in Detroit and other cities, erasing Black generational wealth for so many. Though still in the planning stages to help right some past wrongs, let's look at what the city and the state are doing to acknowledge this and work to drive inclusion in this new downtown development district being built where these neighborhoods once were. Go Positively Speaking Up, Go Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, Go Always Deliver, Go Outpace the Competition, Go, Ford, Go Engineering, Go EV Revolution, Go Customer Experience, Go Design and Software Teams, Go UAW, Go Strategy Team, Go Auto, Go All Industries! #innovationliveshere #aheadofthecurve #diversityandinclusion #careabouteachother #opportunities #strategy #manufacturing #EVs #Blueovalcity #professionalism #deliver #innovationneversleeps #changingthegame #relentleespursuitofperfection #newageautomotivehistory

From local to global

For all the budding entrepreneurs, this can be a great opportunity to learn the fundamentals of innovation and entrepreneurship in the heart of Silicon Valley (Stanford's d.school). I was a participant of this program in 2019 (then, it was called the Silicon Valley Innovation Academy). And during this program, I decided to shut down my last startup, that I had been working on for more than a year. Multiple startup events, competitions (several of which we won), and accelerator programs couldn't teach me what I learnt here in 10 weeks. Things like, what really matters in a founding team, frameworks of innovation thinking and exposure to what is already possible in the world. On top of it, I have also gained some great friends, across different cultures, through this program. Apply for this program and feel free to connect with me if you have any questions. #innovation #entrepreneurship #technology #startup

🎥 The Erie-Niagara Board of REALTIST® was this month's "In the Spotlight" interview with the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS, Inc. Vice President Paul Pérez, M.P.A. and I spoke about the plans and initiatives that our board has, some of recent accomplishments in the fours months of local charter and why we felt a local National Association of Real Estate Brokers® was necessary in Western New York. 🤲🏻 Weeks before, BNAR's CEO John Leonardi called a meeting where BNAR's President Rosalind Burgin (Rosalind Burgin), Tamika Collins-Murphy, Brenda Alesii, Paul Perez and I discussed how the local boards could work together. We appreciate them for their offer. 🏘 The National Association of Real Estate Brokers is "The Premier Network of Black Real Estate Professionals". A 76 year old trade association which elevates, educates and enriches and empowers the Real Estate practitioners and the communities which they serve. Historically it's known for playing a leading role in advocacting for fair housing, Black homeownership and "Democracy in Housing". 🫱🏼🫲🏽 The ENBOR is always seeking and open to opportunities to spread the good word and work of the institution by partnering with other organizations whose mission aligns. ❓️What organization do you know helping to increase home ownership and support current homeowners? We'd love to have a conversation with them. 👀 Take a few moments watch the ⬇️ #ENBOR #AccessAndExecute #REALTISTnation #ItsAGreatTimeToBeARealtist #NAREB #DemocracyInHousing #FairHousing #BlackHomeownership "The Premier Network of Black Real Estate Professionals"

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