michel barreau jr. - a home to call his own
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photo by steed media service
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Personal Banker, Chase Investment Services Corp.
Brooklyn native Michel Barreau Jr., believes African Americans have a fear of homeownership. As he greeted current and potential property owners at the recent Chase Legacy of Homeownership tour, the personal banker’s main concern was providing education to curb what he calls a form of ‘community apprehension’.
“There’s a fear, and the fear is simply based on a lack of knowledge,” he says. “Unfortunately, this happens to be more pervasive in the African American community — this fear or this lack of knowledge of what they can accomplish.”
Barreau recognizes as do many considering the opportunity of homeownership, that land acquisition creates wealth, and thereby, more opportunities for community development.
“Land is one of the most valuable resources that we have. In a sense, it’s a natural resource because on land so many things can evolve,” he says, adding that African Americans could learn a thing or two about the importance of owning land by looking at their ancestors in ancient Egypt.
“Even in 2007, [there are] people who are ashamed to identify with their African ancestry,” he says. “[But the Africans] did at one time own land and they reigned over their land as kings and queens. In a sense, [owning land] is the beginning of reclaiming who you are.”
- gavin philip godfrey
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