Statement of Change
The Black Male Real Estate Expo is a transformative initiative designed to confront systemic challenges facing Black men, including unemployment, violence, and economic marginalization, while empowering them through entrepreneurship and career pathways in real estate, tech, and the construction trades.
Research shows that Black male unemployment consistently remains higher than national averages, hovering around 12% in recent years, compared to the overall U.S. unemployment rate of 3.7% (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). This disparity has devastating ripple effects, contributing to cycles of poverty, instability, and crime in our communities.
Studies also reveal that joblessness among young Black men is closely linked to higher rates of violence. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, unemployment is a significant predictor of crime rates, and in many urban communities, Black-on-Black violence is a symptom of economic disenfranchisement rather than a cultural characteristic. More than 50% of Black men aged 20-24 in major cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia are either unemployed or out of school, leading to higher rates of involvement in criminal activity and incarceration.
The Black Male Real Estate Expo seeks to directly counter these trends by providing Black men with the tools, resources, and networks to succeed in high-growth sectors like real estate, technology, and the construction trades. By building career pathways in these industries, we are not only providing economic opportunities but also fostering stability in families and communities. Research shows that employed Black men and Black male business owners play a vital role in reducing poverty, decreasing crime, and creating a more positive environment for children. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that economic stability significantly decreases the likelihood of young men engaging in criminal behavior, highlighting the urgent need for job creation and business ownership opportunities.
By focusing on real estate, tech, and the construction trades—industries that have historically excluded Black men from ownership and leadership positions—we are shifting the narrative. Real estate provides avenues for generational wealth building, while tech and construction offer high-demand skills and opportunities for entrepreneurship. This Expo is designed to help Black men not just find jobs, but to build businesses, invest in their communities, and become economic leaders who can break cycles of poverty and violence.
This initiative represents a bold step toward addressing the systemic barriers Black men face, while driving impactful change in key industries that have the potential to transform our communities. We believe that by equipping Black men with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, we can create safer, more prosperous communities where employment and entrepreneurship replace the grip of violence and economic hardship.
The time for change is now, and we are committed to leading that change across real estate, technology, and the construction trades—empowering Black men to reclaim their economic futures.