Houston Couple’s ‘500 Black Men Buy Houses’ Tour Expands Nationally

Houston, Texas, Nov. 10, 2024 – Black Men Buy Houses Co-Founders Kevan and Ayesha Shelton expanded the  Black Men Buy Houses as a National tour and hosted their inaugural Atlanta event on Oct. 12 at The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, presented by Citizens Trust Bank  featuring special guests John Hope Bryant, a renowned entrepreneur, economic empowerment advocate, Author, Founder & Chairman of  Operation HOPE  and  H. Jerome Russell Jr., President of H.J. Russell & Company. The Shelton’s launched the “Black Men Buy Houses” initiative to address the barriers and historical inequalities Black men face in homeownership. The event provided attendees with essential financial literacy tools to begin their home-buying journey, focusing on overcoming limited access to knowledge and financial resources..

“Black men often face challenges when purchasing homes, stemming from  limited information about the process and financial resources, which can  hinder their ability to secure funds for down payments, credit, and closing  costs. Our initiative’s objective is to break down these barriers, enabling  more Black men to achieve the dream of homeownership,” said the  Shelton couple.

This initiative was created because, historically, there has been a lack of focus on Black men. Homebuyer data indicates that Black men lag behind Black women in   homeownership, education, entrepreneurship, and earnings. Black women are achieving higher levels of education which directly translates to workforce participation, hence the need for initiatives such as Black Men Buy Houses to address the disparities that exist for Black men.

What started  in Houston  as the Shelton’s’ goal to help 500 Black men purchase homes has expanded into a nationwide initiative focused on empowering Black men to   become homeowners, providing  financial  literacy through real estate, allowing Black men to have a piece of the American Dream.   The Atlanta event offered one-on-one sessions with credit specialists and mortgage representatives and panel discussions designed to prepare participants with the tools needed to start the homeownership journey.

Black Men Buy Houses currently holds a National MOU with Operation HOPE which allows attendees to gain credit counseling beyond the event, directly tying into  John Hope Bryant’s mission of advocating for financial literacy and empowerment within the  Black community. During the event, Bryant shared his experience on overcoming financial barriers and the importance of economic equity. The Shelton’s plan to host additional events in major cities, under their National MOU with NAREB on their “Building Black Wealth.” continuing their mission to support Black men in achieving   homeownership.

“This   is   just   the   beginning,”  said   The   Shelton’s.  “We are determined to expand our efforts and impact even more lives.”

Black Men interested in learning more about the initiative can visit www.blkmenbuyhouses.com and complete the survey to and a specialist will follow up with details about available grants, or available options.

About Citizens Trust Bank

Ranked 28th  by S&P Global among the top 100 best-performing US Community Banks under $3B*, Citizens Trust Bank celebrates over a century in the community. The bank continues to prioritize   offering   customized   service   and   financial   solutions   to   address   the   community’s evolving needs. Through a legacy built on economic equality and well-being, headquartered in Atlanta,   Georgia,   Citizens   Trust   Bank   goes   beyond   meeting   the   needs   of   offering   banking solutions. Today, Citizens Trust Bank continues to be led by its founding mission to empower customers and future  generations   for financial success  and   takes   pride in offering  financial solutions across the country. Through its parent company, Citizens Bancshares Corporation, the Bank offers its common stock over the counter to the public under the trading symbol CZBS and can   be   found   at  www.ctbconnect.com,  and   in   the   social   media   communities   of  Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Citizens Trust Bank Learning Channel on YouTube.*Based on financials for the year ending December 2023.

About Black Men Buy Houses

Our mission is to elevate the rate of homeownership within the Black community, fostering financial literacy, wealth creation, and the stabilization of family structures through equity and property   ownership.   We   believe   that   by   addressing   the   root   causes   of   the   homeownership disparity,  we   can spark   significant  change,  enabling  Black  men   and  their  families  to  build generational wealth and achieve economic empowerment.