ETHOS’ Jennifer Keith Discusses Capital Access for BIPOC Real Estate Investors
At the 2023 ULI Los Angeles Urban Marketplace conference, industry leaders gathered to address a critical question: how can BIPOC commercial real estate professionals access capital and gain opportunities to drive growth in underserved communities?
At the 2023 ULI Los Angeles Urban Marketplace conference, industry leaders gathered to address a critical question: how can BIPOC commercial real estate professionals access capital and gain opportunities to drive growth in underserved communities? ETHOS managing partner Jennifer Keith (formerly Jennifer McElyea) and Landspire Investments CEO Josh Childress shared insights alongside Robert Jue, CEO of Standard Real Estate Investment, discussing ways to expand capital access for diverse stakeholders.
Keith and Childress highlighted the unique perspectives that diverse investors bring to the table. While Keith’s background is in investment banking, Childress transitioned to real estate from a career in professional sports. Despite their different paths, both emphasized that diversity in real estate investment provides value by uncovering opportunities others may overlook.
Keith stressed the need for intentionality in capital allocation, advocating for investment in diverse lenders to achieve meaningful impact. She noted that although progress is being made, particularly in areas previously neglected by traditional lenders, the pace of change remains slow. Challenges still exist, particularly in securing startup capital for new real estate ventures, which often face greater difficulties than tech startups in obtaining funding.
The conversation underscored the commitment to DEI in the commercial real estate sector while acknowledging the ongoing barriers BIPOC developers face.
To learn more about the conference and insights from the discussion, read the full article on the Urban Land website.