November 23rd 2025.
Tenesia Brown, the CEO of Keys Realty Group in Kansas City, has set her sights on a specific and important goal: increasing Black homeownership. She is determined to educate first-time buyers on how to make the American dream of owning a home a reality.
In an interview with KSHB, Brown shares her motivation for this mission, saying, "Why not? We have a significant gap in the number of Black homeowners, and it's simply because there is a lack of education and awareness about available resources." Since starting her venture, Brown has helped 887 new Black homeowners achieve their dreams. As renting becomes increasingly unaffordable, more and more people are turning to her for guidance and support.
One such person is Shay Moore, a radio station host who has joined the cause to break down the barriers that have historically prevented Black people from owning homes. Moore was inspired to take action after facing her own struggles with finding a place to call her own while living in multiple cities. "I've lived in six different states and worked at 11 radio stations, so up until this point, I never even thought about purchasing a home," she shares.
Moore has also noticed the current state of the housing market, where renting has become unaffordable and undesirable. "When I first got here, I had a three-bedroom townhome in Lee's Summit, and it was affordable," she says. "But now, things have gotten out of control." As she looks to become a homeowner herself, Moore wants to inspire others to do the same.
Brown shares a similar sentiment, wanting to uplift renters who are tired of paying high rent and want to invest in their own property. She acknowledges the challenges of the current climate, with high interest rates and a rocky job market, but remains committed to her goal of increasing Black homeownership.
According to recent statistics from the National Association of Realtors, the Black homeownership rate remains relatively steady but still lags behind that of white Americans. While white homeownership rates stand at around 74%, the Black homeownership rate is only at 43.9%, a drop from the previous year.
Despite the overall decline in homeownership, Moore remains dedicated to breaking through the obstacles and making a positive impact. She understands the importance of starting where you can afford and avoiding the trap of being "house rich and pocket poor." Brown and Moore hope to contribute to the wave of Black homeowners who are determined to achieve their dreams.
With their efforts, and the efforts of others, they hope to see a significant increase in Black homeownership by 2026. As interest rates rise and the housing market fluctuates, it is more important than ever for aspiring homeowners to have the necessary education and resources to secure their own place. As Moore puts it, "You have to start where you can afford."
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