Chicago 2023

BLACK MALE REAL ESTATE EXPO 2023

Our 2nd annual event was held in October 2023 as we decided the fall would be a better season to host the BMREE, setting our annual commitment to the first Saturday of October.

We held the event with the nonprofit, Ani Empowerment Group.

Kennedy King College was both our gracious host and our venue sponsor.

Our panel showcased key Black male real estate and construction, trade owners as well as other key business and nonprofit leaders in Chicago, including Jamal Malone, Ron Archie Robins Sr, Zeke Morris,

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Anthony Simpkins, Trez Pugh, Andre Weaver, Kelvin Russell, Melvin Henley, Earick Rayburn, Andre Lanier, Barry Johnson, Christopher Posey, Kirk Gregory Jr, Maurice Gue, Alonzo Abron, Amadi McPherson, Deanous Reid, Brian Cunningham, Jason Zeigler, Jostin Fuqua, Tahir Hafeez, Joshua Mercer, Anthony Hardy, Corey Singleton, Dominique Norma, Brian Williams, Eric Dantzler, Phillip Lomax Bechman, Ramo Bey, Kevin Green, Moncrease Carroll, Stephen Mitchell and Ed Beaver.

Our moderators were Devon Chandler, Skyler Lemons, Quentin Randle, Reginald Patterson, Perdure Carter, and Ja Shar Hartley.

We sold 369 tickets at cost, representing an astounding 47% increase despite charging for the first time. This success is also significant considering the constraints of limited sponsorship dollars, which severely impacted our budget and our ability to effectively market the expo to a broader audience.

Our premier sponsors were the Chicago Association of Realtors (First Committed), the Illinois Realtors, and Lakeland Title.

Additional sponsors and vendors included Ani World, the Renovation Room, Ada S Mckinley, Dawson Tech, Julie Jones Law Group, KMR Law Group, Community Investment Corporation, Chris Weinum Law Group, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity- Darkside, Amerispec, Young Realtist Division- Chicago, Dearborn Realtist Board, 100 Black Men- Chicago, DLV Printing Service Inc, Wintrust- Homan Square, Neighborhood Housing Services, the Habitat for Humanity, Tartt Funding, Onyx Strategic Partners LLC, Cross Country Mortgage, PAC Leaders, Next Gen Graphics, Eco-Conscious Technologies Logo, Cook County Land Bank, Chicago Community Loan Fund, Il Representative La Shawn Ford and Secure Home and Automation.

Every year we intend to grow the reach of the expo so that we can reach as many people as we can nationwide with information about the real estate and construction industries. Our primary goal is to effect positive change in African-American communities by helping to create the next generation of entrepreneurs, and the gainfully employed.

Chicago 2023

BLACK MALE REAL ESTATE EXPO 2023 SPONSORS

Chicago 2023

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

Corporation of Supportive Housing

Community Investment Corporation

KMR Law Group

DLV Printing Service, Inc.

Julie A. Jones Law

Amerisafe

Law Office of Christopher A. Weinum

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Iota Phi Sigma Chapter

Tartt Funding

Next Gen Graphics

Cook Country Land Bank Authority

Cross Country Mortgage - Michelle Aponte Boksa

Chicago 2023

KEY HEADLINERS

Lutalo McGee Founder of the Black Male Real Estate Expo (BMREE) Lutalo is the owner of Ani Real Estate, a commercial and residential brokerage founded in 2007. He has been a REALTOR® for 17 years and is a member of CAR, Illinois REALTORS®, and NAR. He was honored as CAR’s 2019 Managing Broker of the Year and received the 2020 Community Service Award.	Ezekiel (Zeke) Morris Exit Strategy Realty EMA Management Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris is a lifelong Chicago resident with over 30 years in real estate and the 2023 Immediate Past President of Illinois REALTORS®. As Managing Broker of Exit Strategy Realty / EMA Management, he leads a full-service real estate and property management team. A past President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and 2013 REALTOR® of the Year, a scholarship in his name supports education and community development in Chicago.	Ron Archie Robins Sr. Owner of AmeriSpec Chicago - Xperience Home Inspections LLC Mr. Robins is the owner of AmeriSpec Chicago – Xperience Home Inspections LLC, bringing experience in business development, human resources, and finance. He is an active community volunteer and maintains professional affiliations across real estate and home inspection organizations.
Stephen S. Mitchell President of The Stephen Mitchell Law Group Mr. Mitchell, J.D., is president of The Stephen Mitchell Law Group, PC, a leading Chicago personal injury firm. He has served on the Local School Council, Cook County Bar Association (President’s Award), and as Hearing Officer & Panel Chair for the Illinois Supreme Court Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.	Melvin Henley Founder of PAC Project and Construction Leaders LLC. Founded in 2017 by Melvin, PAC Leaders LLC is a general contracting and construction management firm built on integrity, attention to detail, and best industry practices. The company serves commercial, small business, and residential clients, delivering projects ranging from build-outs and renovations to new construction and structural work.	Andre Weaver Founder of PILLARS Clothing Born and raised in Chicago, IL. Andre is an entrepreneur and founder of PILLARS Clothing, located in the Chicago area.
Jamal Malone Chief Executive Officer Jamal Malone is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., a comprehensive human services agency and social enterprise serving more than 7,000 people annually at over 70 program sites throughout Chicago, Wisconsin, and Indiana. His success as a nonprofit leader is upheld by significant experience as an expert in financial systems and change management in the for-profit sector.	Trez V. Pugh III Founder and CEO Sip & Savor Trez’s vision led to the creation of Sip & Savor, a vibrant coffee house rooted on Chicago’s South Side. More than great coffee, each location serves as a welcoming community hub while providing job opportunities and training for young people from underserved communities.	Kelvin Russell Founder the Renovation Room The idea for The Renovation Room was born in 2018 after noticing the lack of diversity on construction sites across the city. As an African American contractor, the founder decided to create a platform that connects skilled, diverse contractors and highlights the strong network built through years of investment and general contracting work.