Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C.
February is Black History Month, and REITs across the country are working to celebrate and honor Black leaders in our industry, advocate for economic and social justice, investing in projects and events to support the Black community, and much more. Below is just a small sample of what REITs are doing this month. To include your company, please contact Jane Dollinger at jdollinger@nareit.com
AvalonBay Communities’ (NYSE: AVB) Black Associate Coalition (BAC) has joined with the National Urban League to raise funds and curate a series of events for their associates in celebration of Black History Month that will spotlight a unique aspect of Black history and culture.
AvalonBay Communities also hosted Mawuli Mel Davis, African-centered civil rights attorney, human rights organizer, and author, discuss how "Moments in Black History have led us to the Current State of Black Lives Matter."
Brixmor Property Group (NYSE: BRX) is hosting a virtual book club discussion of “Inclusify” by Stefanie K. Johnson in honor of Black History Month, led by their Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council
Columbia Property Trust (NYSE: CXP) chose to honor and celebrate Black History Month by spotlighting organizations that support this year’s theme of “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” on their Columbia Gateway app, Columbia’s exclusive app for office tenants hosted on the HqO Tenant Experience Platform. View screen grabs of what the tenants experienced in the app this month here.
Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE: OFC) is worked with the District of Columbia to renovate Stevens School, one of DC’s first public schools built for African American children.
Host Hotels & Resorts (Nasdaq: HST) hosted an all-employee virtual event in honor of Black History Month—part of a series of educational events to recognize and celebrate the company’s diverse employees and communities. The event featured personal reflections from one of their employees on the significance of Black History Month along with African storytelling by an award-winning African American griot who shared a story related to this year’s Black History Month theme.
JBG SMITH (NYSE: JBGS) shared an article written by EVP David Ritchey for their Diversity and Inclusion blog. The piece, titled "A Reflection on Black History Month," discusses the importance of celebrating and honoring the profound role Black Americans have played in shaping the country, as well as the launch of JBG SMITH's Inclusion Community.
Lamar Advertising Co. (Nasdaq: LAMR) joined with OUTFRONT Media to celebrate Black History Month by using their digital billboards and other assets to honor the lives of prominent African Americans.
PREIT (NYSE: PEI) has launched "Support Black-Owned Business and Brands 365," a program designed to make it easier for customers throughout its portfolio to support Black-owned businesses and brands throughout the year. The program empowers its local teams to create custom pages on each of their websites highlighting Black-owned retailers, restaurants and pop-up shops.
QTS Realty Trust (NYSE: QTS) hosted a company-wide, educational Black History Month trivia event focused on subjects ranging from African American inventors, The Black Wall Street, African Americans in sports and entertainment, and more.
RPT Realty (NYSE: RPT) has partnered with National Urban League, the historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality and social justice, to shine a light on Black History Month and “Turn Commercial Ground into Common Ground” via their 2021 Charity Program – Think Globally, Act Locally.
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers (NYSE: SKT) celebrated Black History Month by promoting Black designers and influencers, as well as highlighting actions their brands are taking to commemorate this month.
Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) was named a founding partner for the Real Estate Executive Council’s (REEC) Diversity Initiative . They will make a four-year, $100,000 commitment to support REEC’s mission to serve as a conduit for increasing diversity, equality and inclusivity throughout the commercial real estate industry.
W. P. Carey Inc. (NYSE: WPC) is hosting a company-wide discussion with Dr. Matthew Delmont, Dartmouth professor and expert on African-American history, on “The Past and Future of Black History Month.” Led by W. P. Carey’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, the event is part of the company’s ongoing series of educational opportunities on important topics and supports its commitment to helping dismantle systemic racism and creating and more equitable, just and inclusive society.