Black History Month is a moment to reflect on the Black experience in our nation and celebrate the many accomplishments of Black Americans. This year, Nareit will be sharing the strides that our member REITs are taking to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and how they are recognizing Black History Month this year. Nareit members are invited to submit internal news stories, photos, social posts, and videos to communications@nareit.com.
Lamar Advertising is honoring nine distinguished, accomplished and groundbreaking African Americans on hundreds of their digital billboards across the U.S. Throughout February, they are recognizing those Heroes in History who broke barriers and created opportunities for others.
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm with offices in 27 countries around the world and a workforce of more than 4,850 professionals. The REIT is celebrating Black History Month on a global scale for awareness and inclusion of its employees worldwide.
Hudson Pacific Properties' Black Enterprise Employee Resource Group is supporting Black Excellence and Community Leadership through a partnership with Bay Area non-profit All Tied Up to provide grooming kits to underserved boys of color. All Tied Up provides boys in the Bay Area with mental, physical and financial health workshops and mentorship and networking opportunities.
Independence Realty Trust asked its teams to share what Black History means to them.
Invitation Homes celebrates the tremendous contributions of Black and African Americans throughout U.S. history. They recognize and are grateful to their Black Collective Employee Resource Group for helping to lead the way for diversity and inclusion at the REIT.
Kimco Realty Corporation is sharing the stories of some of the most prominent Black figures in commercial real estate, including Anderson Hunt Brown, the son of a freed slave, who became a real estate tycoon in Charleston, West Virginia.
JBG SMITH's Executive Vice President of Social Impact Investing, A.J. Jackson, discusses the importance of equity in affordable housing (PDF) and how it contributes to a more diverse and inclusive community in the REIT's leadership blog.
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. said its Black Associate Coalition (BAC) is hosting unique events throughout the month to "uplift, educate, and inspire our associates with the spirit of Black excellence."
PREIT said it is supporting Black-owned businesses, makers, and brands by partnering with its tenant Curate Noir, which features all Black and Brown-owned businesses at their Moorestown Mall location. Each of PREIT's properties will run social media giveaways of gift boxes this month featuring a selection of Curate Noir's vendors.
The BIPOC Employee Resource Group at Extra Space Storage asked their team "What does Black History Month mean to you?” and recorded the answers.
OUTFRONT Media is celebrating the next generation of Black history makers with billboards featuring future leaders in business, medicine, science, and education who are inspirational role models to Americans of all races.
Rosalyn Ford of Equinix, one of the co-founders of Black Connect, reflects on how many contributions by black professionals have gone "hidden in plain sight".
CubeSmart is inviting teammates to celebrate Black History Month by sharing their knowledge, stories, and insights to help broaden perspectives and strengthen awareness.
Life Storage will be donating $20,000 to African American nonprofits. These nonprofits will be selected by Life Storage employees through a companywide vote.
Ventas, Inc. said it is recognizing Black leaders at the REIT, including Tim Sanders, Senior Investment Officer and DE&I Committee Co-Executive Lead, who are paving the way for people of color in the real estate industry.
W. P. Carey Inc. is honoring Black History Month by highlighting the numerous contributions of the Black community in shaping our society, and by raising awareness to the issues of systemic racism and racial inequality. The company is welcoming back Dr. Matthew Delmont, Dartmouth professor and expert on African-American history, for a continued discussion about lessons from Black history. Additionally, a group of W. P. Carey employees attended a Harlem Jazz concert aimed at celebrating and amplifying Black culture.
Regency Centers Corporation shared a list of educational courses and literature that circulated throughout the company as part of its ongoing efforts to better understand the perspectives and experiences of those in the communities it serves.
American Campus Communities is recognizing that "Black history is American history," and that the success of the U.S. has been shaped by many inspirational people who have fought for equality.
American Tower's Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Colleen Richards Powell recently shared her thoughts about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life mission to champion equality remains unfinished business.
Americold Logistics has dedicated Black History Month this year to highlighting the voices of its associates across the country working in a wide range of roles, including: Aric Adams, M&A and integration manager (Georgia); Louis Best, warehouse supervisor (Pennsylvania); Sam Charleston, EVP & CHRO (Georgia); Karahn Fowler, warehouse manager (Pennsylvania); David Geiger, warehouse loader (Colorado); Tony Green, warehouse supervisor (Nevada); Zandra Hall, corporate counsel, employment & labor; Randall Harvey, HR manager, Southeast region; Thornton Haynes, regional manager, industrial engineering; Alan Henderson, lift truck operator (Illinois); and JD Jeboda, general manager (California).
Armada Hoffler recently reflected on the impact that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made on society and the ways in which the REIT can work to strengthen and unite its communities.
Camden Property Trust is recognizing Black History Month by promoting awareness of Black contributions to Living Excellence. In an inaugural DEI Dialogue for team members, Camden leaders joined CEO, Ric Campo and Lead Independent Trust Manager, Kelvin Westbrook in Atlanta to share their perspectives on learning, leadership, and progress.
Equity Residential’s human resources team hosted an event that explained the significance of 'shoebox lunches' for Black history and the vital components for traveling African Americans during the Jim Crow era: cornbread, sweet potatoes, fried chicken, and fruit.