In this exclusive interview with members of Black Wealth Builders Fund, we learn how this organization is making reparations a reality in the difficult housing market of California.
1. How would you describe your group’s philosophy or approach to reparations?
As a church that is part of the progressive United Church of Christ, we consider social justice to be a crucial part of our theology. When we see an injustice, we are called to correct it. There has been no greater injustice to our Black neighbors than the white supremacist housing policies that have prevented them from creating generational wealth. In addition, we are aware of our own privilege that we did nothing to deserve but which benefits us every day.
2. What was the “nexus event” for the Black Wealth Builders? In other words, what events sparked its formation?
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 was a wake-up call for us and many others. Our church formed a discussion group in the summer of 2020 to read and talk about how we could become anti-racist. After a few months, though, we realized that we needed something more tangible and action-oriented. Two members of the group (I am one, Barry Cammer is the other) took this on, conducting research throughout 2020 and landing on our approach: helping our Black neighbors buy homes by creating a zero-interest loan fund for down payment assistance, to be paid back only when the property is refinanced or sold.
3. Can you share with us a recent “success” story?
We have made 20 loans since launching the fund. Here is one story I’ve been using recently as I talk about the program. This is excerpted from a radio interview conducted by one of our local NPR affiliates, KALW (link below):
For many years Sparlha Swaby dreamed of homeownership, assuming it was out of her reach. But still she looked and looked until she found the perfect house in Oakland. “I thought I would never get it,” she says. She began navigating the maze of funding sources when she realized she didn’t have enough money for a down payment. Enter the Black Wealth Builders Fund. She says, “Right at that moment, the Black Wealth Builders came through, so I could actually afford $20,000 more.”
This year, Sparlha and her two young children moved into their first home. “I love all the sun coming in the windows, the view of the orange trees,” she says. Sparlha moved from a small apartment, where her children shared a bed in a tiny room, to this roomy home where they could have their own beds.
“I just thought this was a pipe dream,” she says. “But there were so many miracles.”
4. What are some of the unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to helping Black people purchase homes?
In addition to the history of redlining and other white supremacist policies, a key challenge in the Bay Area is cost. This is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, so the lack of generational wealth plays an even greater role in the inability of Black people to buy a home. The opportunity, of course, is that once they have a home they have something to pass along to the next generation, creating wealth for many years to come.
5. What message would you have for the “reparations curious” learning about your organization?
Many good people want to do something to combat racism but they don’t know what to do. Here is something you can do right now: contribute money to help your Black neighbors buy a home. We are not willing to wait for others, such as the government, to act. We can act now.
Learn more by visiting Black Wealth Builder’s Fund Give Effect Page.