Keller Williams NY Tri-state/Manhattan region offices, of the Keller Williams franchise, have announced today they have teamed up with Project Destined, a social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and real estate to empower a new generation of leaders in real estate, transforming black and minority youth into owners and stakeholders in the communities in which they live, work and play.
Together they are building a work-based education platform that provides a pathway to home ownership, entrepreneurship and wealth creation, by removing barriers to become a real estate professional and empowering students with the skills, confidence, experiences and network to launch their careers and a life as changemakers in their community.
In its pilot launch over the course of three years, the KW x PD partnership will provide 60 rising college juniors and senior students with 40+ hours of training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and real estate. They will be connected to a network of Keller Williams real estate professionals who will act as mentors, participate in an Executive Speaker series, and serve as judges in bi-weekly competitions. Working closely with their mentor, they will develop a service mindset and the know-how to service buyer and seller clients. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a scholarship or grant to take the state licensing course and take their licensing examination. They will also receive sponsorship to KW Kids Can’s proprietary personal development training program, Quantum Leap. Once licensed, participants will be hired by their local Keller Williams market center, where their first-year start-up costs, including MLS board dues and office fees, are covered. With access to Keller Williams’ renowned training when they are hired, these young people will be equipped to jumpstart their careers as KW NY Tri-State/Manhattan Region real estate professionals.
Keller Williams NY Tri-State/ Manhattan Region has committed to raise $150,000 to fund this initiative, and has already raised more than half of that goal. Altogether, the region will invest over $275,000 in the young people served in four sites over three years. More significant, the long-term goal is to scale this partnership to a national level.
“We are creating a concrete solution to one aspect of the inequity problem,” explains Michael Brand, New York regional director, Keller Williams. “We cannot change the history of America, but this is our chance to alter its trajectory in a way that builds equity and opportunity in a real and tangible way.”
“We are excited to partner with the Tri-State-based offices of Keller Williams to provide our incredible community with access to the tools, resources and networks to become owners in real estate,” said Cedric Bobo, co-founder, Project Destined. “The real estate industry provides unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurship and wealth creation. This program removes critical barriers and provides access to Keller William’s global network ensuring our students are ready to take on that challenge.”
This partnership came as a result of a call to action made by Keller Williams’ co-founder and chairman of the board, Gary Keller, in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. “We, as a company, were built for this moment in time to bridge the divides and take action to deliver equitable results. Our core beliefs and perspective serve as a guide during these difficult times.”
In response, Keller Williams agents formed a national Social Equity Task Force, and identified five priority areas that would fulfill the vision to make Keller Williams the #1 workplace for diversity, equity and inclusion across all industries. (In 2021, Forbes ranked Keller Williams as a one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2021.) The Community Give-Back sub-task force, the priority area driving this partnership, set for itself a goal to impact 20,000 Black families in 12 months through homeownership, real estate career opportunities and youth mentorship and education.
