As a young teacher, Keon didn’t think homeownership would be attainable anytime soon. He was sharing a small apartment with his partner, Sharianna. They were looking at a future of trying to keep up with rising rents, moving regularly, and wondering how they’d start a family and build generational wealth.
That all changed one evening when Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity announced a partnership with Black Men Teach to provide pathways to homeownership for Black male teachers in our community.
Keon, second from left, on the night the partnership between Black Men Teach and Twin Cities Habitat was announced. Click here to watch a video of the memorable moment.
“It was an emotional day for a lot of us,” Keon remembers. “I got in the car and called Sharianna immediately. I was just like Hey, we got something to look forward to.”
The mission of Black Men Teach is to recruit, prepare, place, and retain Black male teachers in elementary school classrooms. Minnesota ranks last nationally in disparities between Black and white student graduation rates. But having just one Black teacher in grades 3-5 decreases the likelihood of a low-income Black student dropping out of high school by 39%.
“As an educator, we talk about all the racial gaps that we have in Minnesota,” Keon says. “And that also translates into homeownership.”
Thanks to the new partnership, Keon and Sharianna participated in our Advancing Black Homeownership program. With Habitat’s homeownership education and additional down payment assistance through the partnership, they were able to buy a home with Habitat in the same community where Keon teaches. It’s bigger and better than they could have ever imagined.
“This will be the home where we’re able to start a family,” Keon says, Sharianna beaming beside him. “We’re in a position where as young as we are, we’re setting ourselves up for future success. We’ll be able to build equity in this home, and this is our future. I hope this really sets the tone for what can be in Minnesota, and I hope people learn from it.”
Watch Keon's inspiring journey to homeownership below!