Blacklining Forum

Melinda Jordan, a leading real estate advisor based in Chicago, returns to the show to take us on her personal roller coaster. From leaving a six-figure corporate job to losing everything and then rebuilding to establish a successful career, Melinda's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Her resourcefulness in the face of adversity was also a constant companion...

Melony and Derek exchange insights with Courtney Brunson, a champion for economic and racial justice, and Director of the Greater Boston Partnership to Close the Racial Wealth Gap at the Boston Foundation. We begin with considerations of wealth-building strategies for Black communities, housing access complexities, and the role of fair housing in wealth creation. But, the episode diverges from tha...

Today Melony and Derek delve into the crucial, yet often misunderstood, topic of estate planning. We consider its vital role in ensuring future financial security, protecting asset privacy, and transferring wealth in accordance with your wishes. Guest Kerry Reilly, Estate Planner to the 99%, unpacks the common misconception that estate planning is exclusive to the affluent and shines a light on it...

Glynn Lloyd has been a pioneer in the field of transformative urban economic development for over 25 years. He is the founder of City Fresh Foods, a nationally-renowned food service business, and over 20 years grew it on average 15% annually to an 8-figure revenue. He is also a founder of the Urban Farming institute (UFI), a community-led nonprofit supporting the development of the urban farming i...

In this episode, we delve into the world of collective equity with Jock Payton, founder and CEO of Nubian Square Investment Advisors. With his wealth of experience, Jock paints a vivid picture of the varying definitions and applications of equity, and its capacity to foster social justice and financial well-being. He sheds light on how individual investments can transform into collective equity, p...

With this being the tenth episode, we took a step back to think about where we began when we laid the groundwork for the podcast and how conversations with our guests informed, challenged, and evolved our thinking. Today's discussion highlights three forms of power that have been defined along the way, and grasps at one that continues to elude identification. Overall, with 21st-century Black Ameri...

Moving into a new home and/or starting a new business are both major life achievements. The magnitude of each of those takes on even greater significance when also trying to become established in a new community. Nyacko Pearl Perry, new homeowner and co-owner of Comfort Kitchen , shares stories and advice from the early days of getting established in Uphams Corner, the most diverse neighborhood in...

What is home? How do you decide where to make your home? Should you move to build collective political power? These were some of the questions we explored as we referenced a New York Times op-ed piece by Charles Blow that encouraged Black Americans to move to the South . As we discussed the opportunities, we also challenged our assumptions - and his - around where we are as a community, where we c...

Kris Manjapra, PhD, author of Black Ghost of Empire , joins us to discuss reparations and expand the idea of what that could look like. In doing so, we touch upon the Benin Bronzes, question what wealth is, examine the legitimacy of ownership, and approach the edge of Afrofuturism.

Attention, please, class is in session! After reading his article " Redlining: The Silent Segregator ," we invited Dr. Jae to join us to discuss redlining. During the discussion, he revealed the U.S. president who created the conditions for hip hop, described his own experience with real estate appraisers, and then turned the tables on us by asking some probing questions.

Financial planner Marguerita (Rita) Cheng helps us rethink who the traditional financial planning client is and why starting financial planning at any age is important. Our conversation also includes changing one's mindset around finances and letting go of shame and stigma.

Thinking about becoming a real estate investor? Need some inspiration or practical guidelines to help you get started? Wendy Desabaye shares tips and stories from her 20+ years of investing experience. Melony and Derek also discuss practical steps first-time investors should consider as they enter the market, as well as the historic and systemic challenges that continue to reverberate for Black an...

In this wide-ranging conversation, real estate agent and investor Melinda Jordan discusses real estate's intersection with America's legacy of slavery, the emergence of the metaverse, and so much more. She includes her thoughts on why Chicago is a great place to invest and shares her childhood memories from Mississippi.

Sheena Collier, Founder & CEO of The Collier Connection (TCC) and Boston While Black (BWB), joins us for a candid conversation on why owning real estate matters. She shares personal stories about how her family’s experiences impacted her real estate choices and why she believes owning real estate is a hedge against displacement.

Melony and Derek discuss concepts of freedom, the tension between land and power, and whether institutions should be trusted.