Most people never choose a career in commercial real estate because they never realize it is an option.
They do not grow up around brokers, developers, investors, or property managers. They do not know the language, the career paths, or the people who can open the first door.
Daynon Kirby is working to change that.
In this episode of Commercially Speaking, Daynon returns to introduce the Black Foundation, a commercial real estate-focused private foundation built around access, education, investment, and attainable housing.
The organization helps minorities, veterans, students, and aspiring professionals discover the many career paths available throughout commercial real estate while creating practical pathways into the industry.
Daynon also explains why the foundation is building its own investment arm rather than depending entirely on donations. Its model combines people and profits, using commercial real estate, private equity, and other investments to create a mission that can sustain and expand itself.
We also get extremely practical about what someone should do when they want to enter commercial real estate but have no family connections or industry experience.
In this conversation:
This episode is for students, veterans, career changers, young professionals, and anyone who senses that commercial real estate could change their future but has no idea where to begin.
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Learn more about Daynon and the Black Foundation:
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⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Daynon Kirby Returns With a New Mission
Introducing the Black Foundation
03:20 – What Is the Black Foundation?
Education, investments, minorities, veterans, and attainable housing
08:15 – Building a Nonprofit That Funds Itself
Why the foundation invests in commercial real estate
12:50 – Commercial Real Estate Creates Generational Wealth
How Daynon discovered the power of the industry
17:10 – Why Most People Never Consider a Career in CRE
The access, knowledge, and opportunity gap
22:30 – Careers in Commercial Real Estate Beyond Brokerage
Development, investing, property management, asset management, and more
27:40 – Who Is Actually Suited for Commercial Real Estate?
The results economy versus the time-and-effort economy
33:20 – How to Break Into Commercial Real Estate With No Connections
The first practical steps for a new professional
39:30 – Join a Team or Start Alone?
Why transaction volume and mentorship matter
45:10 – What Young Professionals Can Offer Immediately
AI, marketing, video, research, and other valuable skills
51:25 – How to Find the Best CRE Firms in Your Market
Using AI, LoopNet, websites, signs, local news, and market research
58:10 – Using AI to Research Commercial Real Estate Companies
Building agents to analyze firms and uncover marketing opportunities
01:05:00 – How to Approach a Broker Without Wasting Their Time
Lead with value instead of asking to “pick their brain”
01:11:30 – Networking When You Don’t Know Anyone
How to prepare, ask better questions, and become memorable
01:18:20 – The Truth About Affordable and Attainable Housing
Changing the stigma around housing communities
01:24:10 – Creating Change Through Mindset and Opportunity
Abundance, scarcity, and breaking generational cycles
01:31:00 – Paying Opportunity Forward
The Black Foundation’s philanthropic pledge
01:36:40 – How CRE Professionals Can Become Mentors
Speaking, recruiting, volunteering, and partnering on deals
01:42:30 – Why CCIM Can Transform a Commercial Real Estate Career
Education, scholarships, networking, and credibility
01:49:00 – Opportunities for Veterans in Commercial Real Estate
Building a better transition from military service into CRE
01:54:30 – How to Get Involved With the Black Foundation
Students, mentors, investors, developers, and subject-matter experts
📒Show Notes📒
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Bo is a CCIM Instructor and co-founder of HearthStone Capital.
For all CRE inquiries, visit barroncommercial.com
Timmy is an actor, comedian, writer and host: @timmybarron https://youtu.be/ICoIAHSZvgA
