Thurgood Marshall College Fund and CBRE Partner to Foster Diverse Industry Talent
The newly-formed partnership aims to prepare students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities for careers in CRE through experiences, education and opportunities.
NEW YORK, NY – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, has formed a partnership with CBRE Group Inc. to help students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities prepare for careers in commercial real estate.
Through the partnership, the organizations aims to build a more inclusive, diverse talent pipeline for the industry.
“Supporting students in achieving a higher education not only helps them succeed but also has a positive impact on their families and communities,” states Dr. Harry L. Williams, TMCF president and CEO. “CBRE’s partnership with TMCF will help HBCU students gain education and experiences that unlock opportunities and put them in a position to inspire and build better lives and communities.”
The partnership will offer key opportunities for students including a corporate real estate innovation challenge. The two-and-a-half day business pitch competition will allow students to gain experience in venture ideation, business model canvas, pitching, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship. Participants of the challenge will engage with executive, business leaders and CBRE HBCU alumni.
Through the partnership, select students will be able to experience an immersive Commercial Real Estate 101 experience, where they will work with CBRE professionals in programs to promote professional and personal growth. Students will also be able to benefit from a research initiative, led by TMCF’s national think tank the Payne Center, that focuses on education access, health equity, technology, civic engagement and wealth creation.
The partnership will allow 400 students to gain experience from a four-day intensive leadership institute, which will include professional development and networking sessions led by CBRE professionals. The partnership will also focus on campus engagement with TMCF’s member schools, including HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions.
“This partnership expands CBRE’s active efforts to attract and develop talent that represents the communities where we live and work,” says Dr. Todd Jenkins, CBRE’s senior director of global diversity, equity & inclusion. “Offering students access to CBRE subject-matter experts and leaders and enabling their participation in our professional development programs will help them to envision and realize future careers in our industry.”
TMCF has supported nearly 300,000 students who attend HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions. Since its founding in 1987, the charitable organization has granted more than $300 million in student scholarships and it boasts a 90% graduation rate for students in its programs.