Rosenberg & Estis hosts Metropolitan Black Bar Association symposium provides platform for discussion on development opportunities

Manhattan, NY Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., (R&E) celebrating its 50^th year, welcomed members of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) as host of its inaugural Elevate & Empower: Black Real Estate Development Symposium.

R&E associate Shakiva Pierre, along with Jerome Frierson, director of Housing Team for Bronx Defenders, moderated a panel discussion with Leleah James, vice president Community Engagement, Related Affordable; Josiane Lysius, associate broker, Corcoran Group; Kenneth Morrison, managing member and principal, Lemor Development Group; Malcolm Punter, president, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. and; Craig Livingston, managing partner, Exact Capital.

In further celebration of its 40^th year as NY’s largest unified Black Bar Association, MBBA’s roundtable discussion focused on leveraging real estate development to empower the Black community. Topics included past, present and future development initiatives, perspectives on community engagement and strategies for increasing Black representation in real estate development.

Managing member Michael Lefkowitz welcomed guests to the firm’s offices at 733 Third Ave., said “Rosenberg & Estis has grown, evolved and diversified over its 50 years serving New York’s real estate industry and we are proud to host this inaugural symposium on behalf of the MBBA. With a 1% vacancy, it is clear New York does not have enough housing, especially workforce housing. Our speakers offered tremendous insight into ways the real estate industry can adapt and change in the same way the city has to provide homes for everyone who wants to live here.”

Pierre, who serves as MBBA co-chair, Real Estate Law Section, said, “Real estate creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and generates wealth. Open forums like the MBBA Symposium provide an ideal platform for sharing information that can increase Black representation in the process and we are thankful to Rosenberg & Estis for their ongoing support.”

The Metropolitan Black Bar Association is a unified, citywide association of Black and other minority lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, with members in all five boroughs.