There are 17 new graduates from a pioneering education program by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) – St. Louis aimed at broadening the diversity of real estate development professionals.
The real estate and urban planning career aspirants graduated from ULI – St. Louis’ Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) in December. REDI features a 15-session curriculum taught by ULI volunteer professionals in the fields of finance, design, urban planning and real estate development.
The REDI students were engaged in work on an active development site and graduated after presenting a project proposal that included the best practices in feasibility studies, financing, market research and real estate planning. To date, 88 students have graduated from the REDI program.
Launched in 2019, the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI)aims to help people of color and women advance their careers as real estate developers. The program is part of a larger effort by ULI St. Louis to energize greater engagement in equitable development, responding to the calls to action in the benchmark Ferguson Commission report.
Applications for the next REDI semester will open in the summer of 2024. Those interested in participating in the 2024 ULI St. Louis REDI classes can email [email protected] to be included in the prospective student list. Learn more at www.stlouis.uli.org.
ULI-St. Louis has a companion program called UrbanPlan that empowers high school students to more fully understand and participate in land use decisions. Now in its seventh year, ULI-St. Louis volunteers have taught more than 150 students in the UrbanPlan program. Urban Plan is also offered at university levels and is available to elected officials, city staff, and community groups. With more than 250 members, ULI St. Louis unites thought leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Its members include real estate, design, construction, institutional, legal and accounting professionals along with civic leadership.
