Network Spotlight - Black Women in Real Estate
Who formed the Black Women in Real Estate network, and when?
Hanna Afolabi MRICS, the founder and managing director of Mood and Space, started Black Women in Real Estate (BWRE) in 2019.
What inspired the formation of the network?
Hanna was prompted to create BWRE by her experience of the sector. In the early days of her career, she often found herself the only Black woman in the room. It made her wonder whether the sector truly had a place for someone like her – after all, as the saying goes, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’.
Determined to change that narrative, she took matters into her own hands. A quick search on LinkedIn connected her with a few like-minded women, and with an open invitation to dinner the seeds of BWRE were planted.
What is the aim of the network?
Black women should have access to platforms, opportunities and tools to succeed in real estate, without being disadvantaged or restricted based on their identity as Black women. BWRE seeks to ensure Black women are supported and given opportunities to thrive and improve their psychological safety while working in the surveying profession.
Community is central, and as a network we seek to eradicate the isolation felt by Black women working in the sector. We challenge the status quo, presenting Black women as real-estate experts, and we seek to increase representation in organisations at all levels as well as at events and in networks and professional bodies
Is the network UK-based, or global?
We are mostly UK-based but have members in the USA, and in the future hope to expand into Europe, Africa and the rest of the Americas.
How can other members join or get involved with the network?
We are a community-based network and want to ensure that Black women can access the community, as well as spaces they would not otherwise be able to enter. If you would like to join BWRE, please visit our website.
We also have corporate membership for organisations who would like to partner with us. Contact us to find out more about getting involved with our network, events and initiatives.
How often does the network meet? And does it meet face to face, virtually or both?
We run virtual and in-person events throughout the year. Several are planned, including our Black History Month event on 29 October – you can register online. We also have monthly calls, ensuring continued connection for our
We also mark International Women’s Day, Black Inclusion Week and Black History Month, as well as having summer and Christmas drinks. Check our website to stay informed about upcoming events.
What has been the experience of members working in surveying and the wider built environment sector?
There are still varying levels of racism and discrimination in the workplace, within teams, direct management and leadership.
BWRE enables Black women professionals from different walks of life to participate in a diverse community, and get access to spaces and people they were once denied. This offers more choices, possibilities and avenues to advance their careers.
What do you think organisations in the built environment could be doing better to support the employees, clients and communities you represent?
Real-estate companies should strive to offer true representation to the diverse communities they serve.
When it comes to Black women, the available data is often lacking as most research focuses on gender or ethnicity separately. This means that the unique experiences of Black women, who face both racial and gender-related challenges, are often overlooked.
According to a 2023 survey by the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Programme, only
To address this, companies need to improve the way they gather and analyse data to understand the full extent of the issue. With such information, they can focus on making their hiring practices more inclusive – not just for entry-level positions, but also for mid-level and senior roles. The goal should be to attract, hire and retain talented people from diverse backgrounds.
What advice do you have for Black women entering the profession or trying to set up their own surveying businesses?
Find your people. Interest is what leads us to the sector; however, belonging is what keeps us here. BWRE creates community because we believe this gives people the best opportunity to thrive in their careers.
How has the network supported its members?
Jessica Ebele, assistant surveyor at NHS Property Services Ltd and project coordinator at BWRE, says: ‘The network is a community that inspires Black women to thrive in real estate. It has offered me a safe space to grow and learn from sharing experiences with like-minded women. Through BWRE, I find a sense of belonging, purpose and motivation to succeed.’
