The 10K Minority Appraisers Foundation Reception. Eric J. Gordon, Creative Investment Research, 6/25/24.

10K Minority Appraiser Foundation Reception

William Michael Cunningham, Creative Investment Research and Thaddaeus Dawson, Founder, 10K Minority Appraisers Foundation

The 10K Minority Appraisers Foundation (10KMA) has achieved impressive success, yet its mission to foster an equitable, modern appraisal industry is just beginning. The Department of Labor’s recent certification of the 10KMA national appraiser apprenticeship program marks a pivotal milestone in this journey.

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the Westin Hotel in Crystal City, VA, I had the privilege of attending a reception to celebrate this historic, first-ever certification. The excitement was palpable, as this signing represents a significant stride in fostering and empowering the next generation of appraisers, harnessing their distinctive perspectives and skills to enhance appraisal outcomes. Speeches from Foundation members and supporters, including CEO and founder Thaddaeus Dawson, emphasized the importance of diversity and the need to update outdated appraisal practices.

In a conversation with Mr. Dawson, I gained insight into why 10KMA has accomplished so much in such a short time: their commitment to teamwork. Despite our brief interaction, he made it a point to graciously acknowledge and credit countless individuals whose contributions were essential to 10KMA’s success. In fact, every person I had the pleasure of meeting at the reception shared this spirit of collaboration and dedication. It takes a community to serve the community, and the national appraiser apprenticeship program exemplifies this collective effort to nurturing and shaping the future of the industry.

Eric J. Gordon, University of Florida, Creative Investment Research, 2024.

Maternal Health Financing Facility for Black Women: A Solution to an Urgent Problem

Maternal mortality is a significant issue in the United States, with Black women disproportionately affected. Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. However, the issue is not new, and despite the increasing amount of data available, the disparities have remained unaddressed for far too long. Creative Investment Research (CIR) is among the organizations that believe there is a solution to the problem. Through our proposed impact investing vehicle , the Maternal Health Financing Facility for Black Women (MHFFBW), we aim to tackle the mortality gap and support Black women during childbirth, which will, in turn, benefit their communities. The Facility, based on legally binding financing agreements containing terms and conditions that direct resources to individuals and institutions capable of addressing supply-side conditions at the heart...

Projected Impact of Gun Laws on Corporate Profits in Texas

More Fortune 500 companies are located in Texas than in any other state. Texas successfully used low taxes and minimal regulations as bait to recruit companies like Tesla and Oracle. The state promoted these “advantages” in ads highlighting their “free-market” environment and criticizing the "tax and spend policies of liberal leadership" in Democrat-run states. Four million people migrated to Texas over the past ten years. Our economic models predict a reversal, however. State of Texas corporations on the Fortune 1000 list generate $2.2 trillion in revenue, $158 billion in profit. They have a market value of $3.8 trillion and employ 2.5 million people nationwide. We continue to believe this increased corporate presence in Texas imposes a tax on the nation as a whole. Texas allows anyone 21 or older to carry handguns without training or licenses, and maintains lower gun purchase age limits. Beyond the recent abortion bill, which allows people to sue those who "aid and abe...

The Trumpsqueeze: Higher Prices, Higher Interest Rates, Fewer Jobs

The U.S. economy is entering a difficult phase that deserves its own name: the Trumpsqueeze . The Trumpsqueeze describes an economy in which households and businesses are simultaneously pressured by elevated prices, high borrowing costs, slower employment growth, and weakening wage momentum . It is not exactly stagflation. Economic output can still grow. Corporate profits can remain strong. Financial markets can even rise. But underneath those headline numbers, consumers and smaller businesses can find themselves increasingly squeezed. For Black and minority-owned businesses, that squeeze can be even more severe. What is the Trumpsqueeze? The Trumpsqueeze can be summarized as: Higher operating costs + higher borrowing costs + slower hiring and wage growth = shrinking economic room to maneuver. The latest data illustrate the problem. The U.S. economy added only 29,000 jobs in September 2026 , while the unemployment rate increased to 4.2% . The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised Jul...

This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

Search This Blog