Investor Events
SAVE THE DATE:
Thursday, August 28, 2025 (6pm to 8pm)Philadelphia (near City Hall), Pennsylvania
UREF/BDREF/SIREDF Philadelphia Cocktail Party/Panel Discussion: "Building Wealth and Creating Jobs by Investing One Million Dollars in Equity Capital with Black Real Estate Entrepreneurs in Philadelphia"!
Moderated by Thomas Lopez-Pierre, Fund Manager of the Urban Real Estate Fund, LLC, the Black Doctors Real Estate Fund, LLC and the Social Impact Real Estate Debt Fund, LLC.
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For sponsorship opportunities, contact Thomas Lopez-Pierre at 646-527-1116 / info@urbanrealestatefund.com.
Event Panelists (more to be announced)
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Clarissa Parrish, M.D. (UREF Real Estate Investor) + Daniel Betancourt (President/CEO of Finanta/formerly Community First Fund) + Daphne McGee (UREF Real Estate Entrepreneur) + Jeff Hornstein (Executive Director at Economy League of Greater Philadelphia) + J. Mark Evans, M.D. (UREF Real Estate Investor) + Robin Newton Jenkins, M.D. (UREF Real Estate Investor) + Tony Payton, Jr. (UREF Real Estate Entrepreneur/Former State Legislator in Pennsylvania 2006 - 2012).
2025 UREF Lifetime Achievement Award: Jettie D. Newkirk, Esq.
Jettie D. Newkirk, Esq. has been in the practice of law in the private sector since 1981, when she left the School District of Philadelphia.
Her background in education includes having been a teacher, a guidance counselor, a vocational school counselor, and the Dean of Students at the Benjamin Banneker Urban Center.
Before the Urban Real Estate Fund, LLC launched in Philadelphia, Jettie D. Newkirk, Esq. was at the forefront helping the fund make the right introductions with key individuals and organizations.
Her background in education includes having been a teacher, a guidance counselor, a vocational school counselor, and the Dean of Students at the Benjamin Banneker Urban Center.
Before the Urban Real Estate Fund, LLC launched in Philadelphia, Jettie D. Newkirk, Esq. was at the forefront helping the fund make the right introductions with key individuals and organizations.
Join us as we introduce (and discuss):
1 - Three Black medical doctors that invested.
2 - Three Black real estate entrepreneurs from Philadelphia that have each received $100,000 in equity capital.
3 - How targeted investments can generate substantial wealth, revitalize communities, and create sustainable opportunities in Philadelphia.
The Urban Real Estate Fund, LLC and the Black Doctors Real Estate Fund, LLC are dedicated to partnering with a diverse coalition of industry allies, public policy leaders, and government officials to expand the pipeline of Black real estate developers in Philadelphia.
In a city that is 40% Black, with 26.7% of its Black residents living in poverty as of 2025, we recognize the urgent need to address racial wealth disparities.
By empowering Black developers, we aim to drive equitable economic growth, increase Black wealth, and reduce income inequality through intentional investment and inclusive development.
Short-Term Plan: The Fund’s immediate goal is to invest $1 million in equity capital—$100,000 each with ten Black real estate entrepreneurs in Philadelphia.
This capital will be raised from Black accredited investors who are committed to our shared mission to “Build Wealth and Create Jobs.”
By supporting these Black real estate entrepreneurs with early-stage equity, we aim to catalyze local development, generate economic mobility, and lay the groundwork for scalable impact.
Following the success of this initial cohort, the Fund will launch a national expansion—raising tens of millions of dollars to invest in Black real estate entrepreneurs in cities across the country.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Thomas Lopez-Pierre at 646-527-1116 / info@urbanrealestatefund.com.
1 - Three Black medical doctors that invested.
2 - Three Black real estate entrepreneurs from Philadelphia that have each received $100,000 in equity capital.
3 - How targeted investments can generate substantial wealth, revitalize communities, and create sustainable opportunities in Philadelphia.
The Urban Real Estate Fund, LLC and the Black Doctors Real Estate Fund, LLC are dedicated to partnering with a diverse coalition of industry allies, public policy leaders, and government officials to expand the pipeline of Black real estate developers in Philadelphia.
In a city that is 40% Black, with 26.7% of its Black residents living in poverty as of 2025, we recognize the urgent need to address racial wealth disparities.
By empowering Black developers, we aim to drive equitable economic growth, increase Black wealth, and reduce income inequality through intentional investment and inclusive development.
Short-Term Plan: The Fund’s immediate goal is to invest $1 million in equity capital—$100,000 each with ten Black real estate entrepreneurs in Philadelphia.
This capital will be raised from Black accredited investors who are committed to our shared mission to “Build Wealth and Create Jobs.”
By supporting these Black real estate entrepreneurs with early-stage equity, we aim to catalyze local development, generate economic mobility, and lay the groundwork for scalable impact.
Following the success of this initial cohort, the Fund will launch a national expansion—raising tens of millions of dollars to invest in Black real estate entrepreneurs in cities across the country.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Thomas Lopez-Pierre at 646-527-1116 / info@urbanrealestatefund.com.
Past Events
April 30, 2025 (New York, NY)
"Social Impact Investing Forum/4th Anniversary Cocktail Party"
(Two White Guys, Fighting Words - Short Clip of Panel #1 - See below links for full YouTube video of Panel #1, Panel #2 and Panel #3)
The forum invites [ Accredited Investors from ALL racial groups ] to explore the advantages of investing alongside Black real estate entrepreneurs to "Build Wealth and Create Jobs" within Black communities in the Northeastern United States.
Panel #1 (New York City): Thomas Lopez-Pierre (Moderator)
An examination of how the new rezoning law, “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” will influence investment opportunities for Black real estate entrepreneurs in Black communities throughout New York City.
Full YouTube Video of Panel #1
Bob Knakal (Real Estate Broker) + Derek Warner, Esq., (Real Estate Attorney) + Eric Vath, Esq. (Land Use Attorney), Ronald Gold, ASA (Real Estate Appraiser).
Panel #2 (Northeastern United States): Thomas Lopez-Pierre (Moderator)
An analysis of why Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore are emerging as key real estate markets for accredited investors in the Northeastern United States.
Full YouTube Video of Panel #2
Jeff Hornstein, Ph.D. (Economic Equity Advocate) + Lakey (Broderius) Boyd, AICO, CEcD (Economic Equity Advocate) + Mayarani Smith (Mortgage Banker) + Venroy July, Esq. (Real Estate Investor).
Panel #3 (Ghana): Matthew Scott (Moderator)
Ghana, a thriving nation on the West African coast, has become an attractive destination for Black American real estate investors.
Full YouTube Video of Panel #3
Michael Chijioke, J.D., MPH (Business Development) + Dale Bryant, MBA (Real Estate Developer) + Gerald Karikari, Esq. (Immigration Attorney) + Joseph Napoleon (Real Estate Contractor) + Matthew Scott (Business Journalist).
Event Sponsors Include:
E. Mark LewisNew York Life
Dale Bryant, MBAReal Estate Developer In Ghanahttps://lnkd.in/emdHFvMm
Mayarani SmithSenior Loan OfficerCanyon Mortgage Corp.
For invitation, send an email with LinkedIn profile page link to: info@urbanrealestatefund.com.
Dale Bryant, MBAReal Estate Developer In Ghanahttps://lnkd.in/emdHFvMm
Mayarani SmithSenior Loan OfficerCanyon Mortgage Corp.
For invitation, send an email with LinkedIn profile page link to: info@urbanrealestatefund.com.