Real Estate Scholarship And Mentorship Program Targets Latinas In Houston

A scholarship and mentorship program geared to increase the number of Latinas in commercial and residential real estate has expanded into the Houston area.

Century 21 Real Estate, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, has launched the "Empowering Latinas" program. The scholarship will cover the cost of the required coursework at the Academy Champions School of Real Estate of Houston and the cost of the Texas real estate license exam.

Each participant will be matched with a Century 21-affiliated broker for mentorship and to offer each woman an opportunity to learn the business in a local brokerage office. Each scholarship is worth more than $3K, Century 21 agent and program spokesperson Maribel Ramos said. After the completion of the program, participants will be considered to join the Century 21 team. 

"A lot of people in the Hispanic community are capable of doing the job, but I don't think they know that yet," Ramos said. "We can help the economy grow and help out families as well." 

In its inaugural class last year, 70 Latinas were awarded the scholarship in South Florida. This year, the program seeks to provide the scholarship to 40 Latina women living in Houston. In the future, the program may expand to other Texas cities like Dallas or to California, Ramos said.  

The program is not exclusive to those new to real estate. Experienced agents can apply for the program to receive more training and support, Ramos said. The minimum requirements include being at least 18 years old and holding a high school diploma or GED. 

“This program reinforces our collective efforts to help recruit the best and brightest agents to the Century 21 brand,” Century 21 Real Estate LLC Chief Marketing Officer Cara Whitley said. “We are proud of the positive impact of the Empowering Latinas launch in South Florida and look forward to our efforts making a difference in Houston.”

Hispanics are on track to become the largest population group in Texas by 2022, the Texas Tribune reported. The Hispanic population increased by 18% from 9.7 million in 2010 to 11.1 million in 2017. Houston has the third-largest Hispanic population in the U.S. and is ranked as the best place in the nation for minority entrepreneurs. 

“With my entrepreneurial spirit, I wanted to work with a company that would help me achieve my professional dreams and a higher standard of living, which is why I joined Century 21 Real Estate,” Century 21 Garlington & Associates Inc.'s Marisol Guzman said. “I’m proud to be with a company that respects my identity and is focused on helping others, like me, achieve their real estate and financial dreams.”