The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Women Investing in Real Estate (W.I.R.E.) Pillar hosted a mini-conference for advancing women in real estate during the organization’s annual convention on July 31.
The event provided a platform for women to gain valuable knowledge on investing, financial planning, and navigating the real estate market. It also offered interactive workshops and networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
“There is a team who has worked tirelessly to curate a life-changing experience for you today,” said NAREB President Courtney Johnson Rose. “Just know that you are already blessed for being in the room and being a part of this experience. We have designed it for African American women. We will start with the data to understand the power we possess as African American women.”
Renowned actress Lynn Whitfield moderated the event. Lydia Pope, a founder of W.I.R.E. and NAREB’s immediate past president, was honored during the event.
Pope said, “Real estate investment thrives on connections and collaborations.”
“W.I.R.E. creates a dynamic community where women investors can connect,” she said. “Our networking builds long-lasting relationships.”
The authors of the NAREB’s W.I.R.E. Report, Dr. Vicki McBride and Dr. Sheri Smith, detailed the Black women’s identity and economic influence. Their data found 45% of Black women are single, while 27% are married.
Nevertheless, they calculate that Black women control more than 50% of African American households as “the breadwinning mothers.”
The W.I.R.E. report also documented the economic gains paving the way for the success enjoyed by Black women, who are 6.3% of the nation’s population, 52% of the African American population, and 12.5% of all women.
Plus, 63.4% of all Black women over the age of 16 are active in the labor force; 89.3% of Black women have graduated from high school or its equivalent; and 48% of Black women are single and have never been married.
The report said Black women are also making tremendous strides as entrepreneurs. Businesses owned by Black women grew 50% between 2014 and 2019, with Black Women accounting for 42% of all women who opened new companies during that period.
In 2021, 17% of Black women were starting a new business – 7% more than White women and 2% more than White men.
There were panels that discussed topics such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership, and thriving in the C-Suite.
