CBRE and Project Destined Widen Pathway for Future Black Commercial Real Estate Professionals Through First-of-its-Kind HBCU Bridge Program

Holistic scholarship program engages students, academic advisors with CBRE leaders

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CBRE Group and Project Destined have launched a first-of-its-kind program to help Black students bridge their education to real-world experience in the commercial real estate industry.

Project Destined’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Bridge Program, sponsored by CBRE, is a holistic approach that connects students with CBRE leaders and exposes them to industry career paths. At least 100 students from select HBCUs will receive scholarships to participate in the program each year, starting this spring. Leaders from select HBCUs will serve as academic advisors to help facilitate student participation.

“Through this program, Project Destined is empowering the next generation of Black leaders in commercial real estate by providing the tools, knowledge and resources to prepare them for rewarding careers,” said Tim Dismond, CBRE’s Chief Responsibility Officer. “Thanks to our comprehensive partnership, CBRE is gaining access to a rich pipeline of future talent from underrepresented communities of color so our workforce reflects the communities where we live and work.”

The six-week bridge program gives students more than 40 hours of first-hand exposure to careers in commercial real estate, including an executive speaker series with CBRE leaders, specialized workshops, and career development sessions. Students will focus on networking, leveraging LinkedIn, technical competencies, such as financial modeling and ARGUS, as well as interviewing, and presentation skills. Participating academic advisors will receive a fellowship stipend and collaborate with Project Destined to share program resources.

“Too many groups have felt more victim than participant in change through real estate in their communities,” said Cedric Bobo, Co-founder of Project Destined. “This partnership gives us a chance to demystify real estate, create a pathway and provide the training that’s necessary. CBRE’s incredible global network will create great opportunities for these students.”

At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, CBRE launched a partnership supporting Project Destined’s 8-week virtual commercial real estate internship program, one element of the company’s multi-faceted effort to hire and develop diverse talent. More than 350 students have been trained through the program, resulting in 76% of participants landing jobs or internships. The HBCU Bridge Program partnership is part of CBRE’s Community Impact Initiative announced in December 2021.

About CBRE Group

CBRE Group, a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2020 revenue). The company has more than 100,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

About Project Destined

Project Destined is a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools, and nonprofits to deliver training using its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students work with executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition to industry leaders. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks that prepare them to secure a strong first job and to become stakeholders in their community. For more information, please visit projectdestined.com.