Event Recap
Our February Homeowner Meeting last Sunday afternoon at McKinney Center felt like coming home. Over 35 Black Legacy Homeowners filled the room—legacy homeowners who’ve been holding down the Central District for decades alongside newer faces discovering what it means to build community wealth together. The energy was different this time. Focused. Expectant. Ready.
We opened by sharing what went down at the Black Home Initiative All-Partner Summit on February 10th. The numbers hit hard: 825 Black families have bought homes through BHI—55% toward the 1,500 goal by 2028. But here’s the reality check nobody wants to talk about: 31% of new homeowners fall out of home ownership within five years. That’s nearly one in three families losing what they fought so hard to get.
We’re the infrastructure that keeps people IN their homes. Tax exemption support. Estate planning. Home repair connections. The work that prevents the fallout. The work that keeps Black families from becoming displacement statistics.
Then came the announcements for our upcoming meetings.
Marcus Cullen Is Coming Back
Attorney Marcus Cullen—Edward Jones advisor, McKinney Center board member, and the guy who broke down estate planning at our November meeting—is returning March 22nd for a dedicated workshop. The room got quiet when the stat was shared: only 30% of Black homeowners have wills. That means 70% of us are one unexpected death away from watching our homes disappear into probate nightmares, partition sales, and family disputes.
Marcus’s workshop will break down how to create wills and trusts, and how to actually protect your home for your kids instead of letting it slip through legal loopholes into investors’ hands.
John Wilson Returns for Tax Exemption Round 2
The announcement that King County Assessor John Wilson is coming back April 19th.
Multiply that across the members who enrolled after John’s last visit, and BLHN households are collectively saving over $500,000 annually. Half a million dollars that stays in Black pockets instead of disappearing into property tax payments.
But here’s what got people fired up: only 30% of eligible seniors are enrolled. That means 70% of our elders are leaving thousands of dollars on the table every year because they don’t know they qualify, or the paperwork feels too complicated, or they tried once and got confused about income thresholds.
Larry Dean, one of our longtime volunteers, raised his hand: “And if you don’t have all your documents? Come anyway. We’ll make you a checklist and follow up at Thursday Hub hours.” That’s the BLHN difference—meeting people where they are, not where the paperwork says they should be.
The Call for Volunteers
Then came the ask. These events don’t run themselves. Rico broke it down plainly:
Social media ambassadors to share posts and tag neighbors. Flyer distributors to post at churches and senior centers. One-on-one outreach from members calling other homeowners they know personally. Day-of support for check-in tables, photos, and logistics.
Five hands went up immediately.
February Birthdays
Before wrapping, we celebrated February birthdays—Brenda Ezell and Sylvia Spearman got shout-outs. Small moment, but it matters. Community isn’t just about tax savings and wills. It’s about knowing each other’s names. Remembering each other’s birthdays. Showing up for the small things so we’re strong enough to handle the big things.
What’s Next
This is what sustained home ownership looks like—not a single heroic event, but dozens of small commitments compounding over time. Neighbors calling neighbors. Volunteers showing up. Knowledge being passed person-to-person until everyone who needs it has it.
BHI’s data says 31% of new Black homeowners fall out within five years. BLHN exists to make sure our members aren’t in that 31%. We’re the safety net. The knowledge base. The community that won’t let you fall through the cracks.
Next meeting: March 22nd. Same place. Same commitment. Same energy.
We Are Still Here and We Shall Not Be Moved.
Event Highlights
- 35+ attendees representing legacy homeowners and new members
- BHI Summit recap: 825 Black families bought homes (55% to 1,500 goal)
- March 22 Marcus Cullen Estate Planning Workshop announced
- April 19 John Wilson Tax Exemption enrollment confirmed
- 5+ volunteers committed to event support and outreach
- February birthdays celebrated: Brenda Ezell, Sylvia Spearman
Key Takeaways
- Only 30% of Black homeowners have estate plans—70% risk losing homes to probate
- Only 30% of eligible seniors enrolled in tax exemptions—70% leaving thousands on table annually
- BLHO members could collectively save $500,000+ per year through tax exemption program
- Peer-to-peer outreach is the most effective recruitment and retention tool
- Community infrastructure prevents the 31% fallout rate of new Black homeowners
Resources
- Marcus Cullen Estate Planning Workshop: March 22, 2026 | 11am-1pm | Click Here to Register
- John Wilson Tax Exemption Enrollment: April 19, 2026 | 11am-1:30pm | Click Here to Register
- Weekly Hub Office Hours: Every Thursday | 10am-2pm | McKinney Center (2120 S Jackson St)
- Instagram updates
- Facebook updates
- Register for upcoming events
Looking Ahead
Black Legacy Homeowners continues building the infrastructure that keeps Black families in their homes for generations. With estate planning and tax exemption support scaling up in March and April, we’re addressing the two biggest gaps in homeowner stability: legal protection and financial relief. Member participation and volunteer support remain essential to reaching the 70% of homeowners who don’t yet have these critical protections in place.