As Civic Commons prepares to launch a major initiative related to Black homeownership, We Belong Here host Frank Nam sat down with three individuals who are already working toward racial and economic equity here in Seattle.

The topic: What does home mean to you? And why is homeownership such an important part of financial stability and intergenerational well-being?

Our guests this episode:

- Andrea Caupain-Sanderson, CEO of Byrd Barr Place
- Michelle Merriweather, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
- Darryl Smith, executive director of HomeSight

Along with discussing their work, Andrea, Michelle and Darryl also shared their families’ history with homeownership and their personal journey toward owning a home in the Seattle area.

“Home to me means stability. It means predictability,” said Andrea, who became a homeowner at age 40. “It offers psychological safety and financial security, but also hope and possibility for others who are looking to dream.”

The conversation also addressed the work ahead and why this project will initially focus on Black homebuyers.

“If we can figure this out for the African American and the Black community, there are side benefits for all of us,” Darryl said. “If you can help those who are having the largest racial wealth gap, you start to close the gap for a lot of other folks as well.”

Thank you again to the Big Phony, a Korean-American singer/songwriter living in Seoul, South Korea for allowing us to his music in our intro and outro, all royalty-free!