Black Coalition for Housing outlines March 2025 Black Developers Housing Summit, partners with Freddie Mac

Rashida Jones of the Black Coalition for Housing told the Shelby County Racial Equity Ad Hoc Committee on Oct. 22 that her group will launch a Black Developers Housing Summit in March 2025 and is partnering with Freddie Mac to develop a developers academy for minority developers with zero to three years’ experience. "We are, starting a plan for the Black Developers Housing Summit, that will launch March 2025," Jones said.

Jones said vendor approval and supplier registration with Freddie Mac are complete and that the program will include a single-family residence cohort. She told the committee the summit will emphasize neighborhood impact — citing Whitehaven and South Memphis as likely demonstration areas — rather than only downtown convention programming. The coalition invited committee members and commissioners to planning sessions scheduled Nov. 17–20 and asked for county support and participation.

Committee members responded with offers to help connect city council members and neighborhood stakeholders. The chair said he would relay invitations to commissioners and staff. The announcement follows earlier grant awards discussed at the meeting; Jones also noted three organizations had funds in hand and two were under contract.