Building Connections, Uplifting Communities, and Transforming Business:
My Reflections on the Inaugural 2024 BLK at Compass Summit
This September 12th & 13th, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural BLK at Compass Summit, hosted by Compass Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. This two-day event was a powerful gathering of over 200 real estate professionals from across the country, united with a shared mission: to uplift, empower, and inspire each other to reach new heights. This wasn’t just a meeting of colleagues; it was an inspiring congregation of brilliant agents from LA, The Bay Area, Martha’s Vineyard, Charlotte, Minnesota, Texas, Chicago, Philly, Nashville, Miami, Brooklyn, the DMV, and everywhere in between.
We came together to network, collaborate, and elevate each other’s practices. It was an incredible experience to connect with agents from diverse regions, each bringing their own unique perspectives and expertise. The excitement was palpable, and the sense of community was both empowering and affirming. It was everything we expected and more.
Why I Knew I Had to Be There
The BLK at Compass Summit was a significant milestone for our community. In a field where Black agents represent less than 6% of the industry, and Black homeownership sits at 44% compared to other demographics above 73%, we felt a collective responsibility to be there. This wasn’t just a professional commitment; it was a personal one. For a few of us from Boston, Greater Boston and Rhode Island, this year also marked the establishment of the NE BLK @ Compass Chapter, a regional network where we could collaborate and support one another. It’s about showing up, building one another up, and being part of a movement to create more opportunity and representation within our industry.
I’m incredibly grateful to The Blackstone Team, whose unwavering support has been invaluable. They’ve always championed my professional growth, and for this event, they stepped up by covering half of my travel expenses, allowing me to participate fully and bring back new ideas and energy to share with the team and my clients.
The Focus Areas That Reshaped My Vision
Throughout the summit, we dove into various focus areas designed to up-level our personal and professional lives:
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BLK in Luxury: Expanding our business acumen and understanding of the luxury real estate market.
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Delivering a 5-Star Client Experience: Elevating every interaction with our clients to provide exceptional service.
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Real Estate Math: Gaining a more in-depth understanding of financial insights to make better business decisions.
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Crafting Work-Life Balance: Learning strategies to maintain balance while staying committed to high-performance standards.
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Starting and Growing a Team: Developing the structure, culture, and systems needed to grow a successful real estate team.
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Networking: Building authentic, lasting connections that support our goals and enrich our lives.
These sessions were more than just professional development—they were conversations that spoke to our values, ambitions, and collective mission. The camaraderie and wisdom shared by our panelists and peers will resonate with me for years to come.
New Connections and Unforgettable Lessons
Meeting agents who excel in their markets was both inspiring and motivating. I connected with agents whose successes reinforced the power of community and shared knowledge. The advice was practical, like finding people who have your solutions instead of your problems and creating meaningful, genuine connections. There was also a reminder to stop listening to the “Drunk Monkey”—that internal voice filled with doubt and limiting beliefs. The energy in the room was powerful, as we celebrated each other's wins and shared a commitment to lift each other higher.
How This Summit Has Changed My Approach
Since returning from the summit, I feel more driven than ever to foster authentic relationships and deliver a 5-star experience to every client. I’m incorporating new strategies learned in Atlanta—from high-touch, luxury-level service to the art of crafting meaningful work-life balance. Additionally, my experience there solidified the value of maintaining a network of industry professionals who genuinely want to see each other succeed.
The connections I made and the lessons I learned are not just ideas to ponder—they’re actionable steps that have reshaped my business approach and elevated my commitment to my clients and community. This journey has made it clear that when we step into spaces where we’re celebrated, not just tolerated, we create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond ourselves.
The BLK at Compass Summit reminded us all: we’re not just agents—we’re agents of change, committed to creating a legacy and paving the way for greater Black homeownership and representation in real estate. We’ll be the change, and I’m so excited for what the future holds.
