Three members of Colonial recently met with the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC) to discuss how Colonial can continue to strengthen our relationship with the black community in Fort Worth, where Colonial’s corporate headquarters and largest community footprint is located.
David Motley, Colonial President, Heather Guidry, VP/Fair Lending Manager & CRA Officer and Marlon Walker, Mail Service Supervisor, met with Devoyd Jennings, FWMBCC President & CEO to discuss ways that Colonial can continue to build relationships within the black community and also share with them an open position Colonial has created, Loan Officer – Community Reinvestment Lender, that will be responsible for outside sales of mortgage loan products to realtors, builders and individuals with an emphasis on the underserved communities in North Texas.
“Homeownership in the Black and Hispanic Communities remain significantly lower than the White Community,” said David Motley, Colonial President. “It is widely known that one of the fastest ways to build wealth and financial stability is through homeownership, and unfortunately, there hasn’t been as much progress in the Black and Hispanic communities in recent years. As a mortgage lender for nearly 70 years, we feel like it is essential for Colonial to continue to reach out to the underserved community to offer more education and resources. Meeting with the FWMBCC is just the first-step in how we can continue to forge relationships and work toward boosting homeownership where it is currently lacking.”
Colonial offers a number of Down Payment Assistance and Grant Programs for eligible mortgage borrowers, but that information is not always accessible to those who can most benefit from those programs. With the creation of a new position that’s focus is community reinvestment, we hope to ensure that programs that benefit first-time homebuyers and the underserved community will become more accessible.
If you have any thoughts or ideas on ways Colonial can be more involved in underserved markets and/or communities of color, we welcome them! Please join in the conversation!
