AAREP
AAREP DC is a non-profit trade association founded in 1995 that provides networking, professional development, and career support for Black commercial real estate professionals in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, funded by individual memberships, corporate sponsorships, and a job posting service.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AAREP does
AAREP DC (African American Real Estate Professionals of Washington, D.C.) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1995 that serves Black commercial real estate professionals in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The organization provides networking, professional development, mentorship, industry panels, property tours, case studies, an entrepreneurship center, and a job placement service for a member base spanning developers, contractors, architects, asset managers, brokers, finance professionals, lawyers, property managers, and entrepreneurs. AAREP DC positions itself as a founding chapter of an 8-chapter national AAREP network and reports an extended reach of 2,000+ individuals.
The business model is built on three revenue streams: individual membership dues at $300/year (General), $150/year (Government), and discounted pricing for Young Professionals/Students; tiered corporate sponsorships ranging from $5,000 (Bronze) to $15,000 (Platinum) that bundle employee memberships, event tickets, logo placement, and job posting privileges; and a transactional $500 Job Bank posting fee. Revenue mechanics are subscription-recurring for memberships and sponsorships, with all engagements running on a calendar-year basis expiring December 31. The organization is volunteer-led, governed by a Board of Directors composed of senior commercial real estate practitioners and operates with a headcount of 11-50.
There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization's digital infrastructure consists of a WordPress website and an Instagram account. Marketing and member acquisition rely on virtual information sessions, in-person events, an annual gala, email newsletters, social media, and word-of-mouth referrals within the Black commercial real estate professional community. Notable institutional sponsors include Amazon, DC HFA, Banneker Ventures, Gilbane Development Company, City First Bank, and the University of Maryland's Master of Real Estate Development program.
AAREP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AAREP
- Legal name
- African American Real Estate Professionals of DC
- Website
- https://aarepdc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AAREP DC is a non-profit trade association founded in 1995 that provides networking, professional development, and career support for Black commercial real estate professionals in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, funded by individual memberships, corporate sponsorships, and a job posting service.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AAREP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AAREP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorships: Annual corporate sponsorships at four tiers (Platinum $15,000, Gold $10,000, Silver $7,500, Bronze $5,000) providing employee memberships, event tickets, website logo placement, advertising, job posting/email blast privileges, and ability to promote corporate events via AAREP DC's distribution channels.
- Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership fees by tier: General Membership $300, Government $150, Young Professional/Student pricing. Membership runs through the calendar year expiring December 31.
- Job Bank Listings: One-time $500 fee for a single job posting plus one email blast to AAREP DC membership distribution list.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | General Membership for real estate professionals in Washington, D.C. area |
| Subscription | Annual | Platinum corporate sponsorship with maximum benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold corporate sponsorship with substantial benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Silver corporate sponsorship tier |
| Subscription | Annual | Bronze corporate sponsorship tier |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Job Bank posting for employers seeking talent |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
AAREP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AAREP is a non-profit trade association that provides networking, professional development, and career advancement services for African American commercial real estate professionals. Founded in 1995 in Washington, D.C., the organization sells tiered individual memberships, corporate sponsorship packages, Job Bank posting services, and hosts an annual gala and recurring professional networking events across 8 national chapters.
Product overview
AAREP DC is a professional trade association for Black commercial real estate professionals in Washington, D.C., founded in 1995. The organization offers a tiered membership structure (General at $300/year, Government at $150/year, and Young Professional/Student), along with corporate sponsorship opportunities (Platinum $15,000, Gold $10,000, Silver $7,500, Bronze $5,000). Core offerings include networking events, professional development programs, an entrepreneurship center, job placement services (Job Bank at $500), and annual programming such as the 20th Annual Gala. The association serves over 2,000 members and focuses on providing access, education, networking, and community engagement for real estate developers, contractors, architects, asset managers, brokers, finance professionals, lawyers, property managers, and entrepreneurs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Individual Membership
- Corporate Sponsorship Packages
- Job Bank Posting Service
- Annual Gala
Companies that use AAREP
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AAREP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AAREP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- AmazoncoreAmazon is a Platinum sponsor of AAREP DC, providing financial support for the organization's mission to facilitate economic empowerment and parity through real estate for Black commercial real estate professionals. Amazon's sponsorship includes 8 paid memberships, 10 tickets to the Annual Event, logo placement on the website, and unlimited job posting opportunities. Amazon supports AAREP DC's housing equity initiatives.
- DC HFA (District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency)coreDC HFA is a Platinum sponsor of AAREP DC, supporting the organization's mission through corporate sponsorship. DC HFA's involvement reflects a commitment to advancing opportunities for Black professionals in commercial real estate and supporting affordable housing and development in the District.
- Banneker VenturescoreBanneker Ventures is a Gold sponsor of AAREP DC. The company is also connected through Omar Karim, who serves as President of AAREP DC and is SVP of Development at Banneker Communities and Banneker Ventures. The sponsorship reflects the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion in commercial real estate.
- Gilbane Development CompanycoreGilbane Development Company is a Gold sponsor of AAREP DC. The company is also connected through Bobvala Tengen, Senior Development Manager at Gilbane Development Company, who serves on the AAREP DC Board. The sponsorship supports diversity initiatives in commercial real estate development.
- University of Maryland (Master of Real Estate Development)secondaryThe University of Maryland's Master of Real Estate Development program is a Gold sponsor of AAREP DC, supporting the organization's educational mission and providing a pipeline of educated talent for the commercial real estate industry.
- City First BanksecondaryCity First Bank is a Silver sponsor of AAREP DC. As a mission-driven bank focused on community development, City First Bank's sponsorship aligns with supporting Black professionals in commercial real estate and affordable housing development.
- Reno CavanaughsecondaryReno Cavanaugh is a Silver sponsor of AAREP DC, supporting the organization's mission to advance Black professionals in commercial real estate through corporate sponsorship.
- Bronze Sponsors (13 companies)minorAAREP DC has 13 Bronze sponsors including ASSET Management Consulting, JBG Smith, Delon Hampton, MBB Affiliates, Coakley Williams, Nix Development, CoreNIC, Klein Hornig, Nelson Mullins, ELOCEN Group, Capital Impact Partners, and ATMOS Solutions. These sponsors receive 2 paid memberships, 2 job posting opportunities, and logo placement on the website.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AAREP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities): ICSC is the global trade association serving the retail real estate industry. It parallels AAREP DC as a CRE sector membership organization providing networking events, education, and advocacy for professionals in a defined commercial real estate vertical.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI): ULI is a global research and education organization supporting land use and real estate practitioners. It serves a similar CRE professional audience through membership, programs, and events, though at much broader scale and without AAREP DC's race-specific focus.
- CCIM Institute: CCIM Institute is a leading CRE professional organization that awards the CCIM designation and provides education, networking, and technology to commercial investment practitioners. It is comparable to AAREP DC in serving CRE professionals seeking career advancement, education, and credentialing.
- BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association): BOMA International is a trade association for commercial real estate building owners and managers. It is comparable to AAREP DC as a CRE-focused membership organization delivering advocacy, education, and networking to industry professionals.
- NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association): NAIOP is the largest US trade association for commercial real estate developers, owners, and investors. While AAREP DC focuses on Black CRE professionals specifically, both are membership-based associations providing networking, education, and advocacy to commercial real estate practitioners.
Direct peers
- Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA): AREAA is a national nonprofit trade association supporting Asian American real estate professionals with chapters, networking, and education. It is directly comparable to AAREP DC in mission, structure, and chapter-based delivery model for an underrepresented real estate community.
- CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women): CREW Network is a global CRE industry organization advancing women in commercial real estate. It is directly comparable to AAREP DC as a diversity-focused CRE professional association delivering networking, leadership development, and deal-making opportunities to an underrepresented group in CRE.
- National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB): NAREB is the oldest minority trade association in the US representing Black real estate professionals, founded in 1947. It directly parallels AAREP DC's mission of advancing Black participation in real estate, though NAREB's historic focus is residential brokerage while AAREP focuses on commercial real estate.
- Real Estate Executive Council (REEC): REEC is a national organization of Black senior real estate executives focused on advancing Black leadership in commercial real estate through networking, deal flow, and mentorship. It is directly comparable to AAREP DC in addressing diversity in CRE, with a higher executive-level focus.
Emerging players
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): NSBE is one of the largest US student-governed organizations supporting Black engineers and STEM professionals through membership, programs, and events. While focused on engineering rather than real estate, it is structurally comparable to AAREP DC as a mission-driven association advancing Black professional advancement in a specific industry.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AAREP social profiles
Digital presenceAAREP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AAREP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AAREP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AAREP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AAREP
What does AAREP do?
AAREP is a non-profit trade association that provides networking, professional development, and career advancement services for African American commercial real estate professionals. Founded in 1995 in Washington, D.C., the organization sells tiered individual memberships, corporate sponsorship packages, Job Bank posting services, and hosts an annual gala and recurring professional networking events across 8 national chapters.
Is AAREP a public or private company?
AAREP is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AAREP founded?
AAREP was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AAREP based?
AAREP is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does AAREP make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Corporate Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are individual Membership Dues and job Bank Listings.
Who are AAREP's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities), Urban Land Institute (ULI), CCIM Institute, BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association) and NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association). Direct peers are Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and Real Estate Executive Council (REEC). National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is listed as an emerging player.
Does AAREP have an API?
No public API is recorded for AAREP.