In the most recent episodes of The Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with three trailblazing Black women working for the City of Bloomington, Minnesota. Women, and Black women in particular, have historically been excluded from the real estate profession causing their representation in the industry to be notably low. However, in Bloomington, MN things are changing. In recent years the city added three women of color to its leadership team: Karla Henderson, Community Development Director; Aarica Coleman, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Administrator; and Faith Jackson, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. I was honored to have the opportunity to talk with them. As our conversation unfolded, it quickly became clear that the three women had a lot to share and our conversation evolved into the three-part mini series below.

Part One | Lifting Each Other Up: The Power of Mutual Support

Part Two | Breaking Ground: The Roots of Racism in Real Estate

Part Three Reforming Real Estate: From Racial Covenants to Just Deeds

Pictured below are Bill Griffith, Aarica Coleman, Karla Henderson, Faith Jackson and Bill Gaier from Finance & Commerce at our recent podcast series celebration. The celebration included a panel discussion moderated by Bill Gaier from Finance & Commerce.

The real estate and construction law team at Larkin Hoffman covers every facet of real estate and its development phases. With the aim of offering distinctive perspectives on emerging topics, trends, and matters within our industry, we launched The Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast to complement The Larkin Hoffman Real Estate and Construction blog. We stay on top of developing issues and legislation and collaborate with industry leaders to ensure our readers and listeners stay abreast of pivotal issues.  

Bill Griffith advises local and national clients on legal and policy issues affecting land use, zoning, real estate, environmental review, municipal law, regulatory matters and government relations. He has been local counsel to Mall of America in all its phases and serves as city attorney for the city of Columbus. He is a trusted advisor on real estate development and public funding for both private clients and municipalities. Contact Bill Griffith at wgriffith@larkinhoffman.com.