Since 2021, Equity Partners has been at the forefront of uniting community members, elected officials, and corporate partners in a shared mission: to bridge the gap between those making the laws and those most affected by them. By hosting events, panel discussions, and resource fairs, we have connected with more than 2,000 community members and dozens of elected officials across the region. At the heart of our work is a commitment to housing support and education, ensuring that local residents are not only heard but also empowered with the tools to shape their own futures.
Affordable Housing Roundtable: Conversations That Count
In East New York, real estate professionals, developers, community leaders, and elected officials gathered for the Affordable Housing Roundtable, hosted at Fusion East, one of the neighborhood’s premier restaurants. Powered by EquityCoin, the first digital token backed by affordable housing, the event brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss solution-driven approaches to one of the city’s most pressing issues.
Panelists included Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas, Albert Scott (East New York Homeowners’ Association), Boris Santos (ENY Community Land Trust), Vernon J. (EquityCoin), Rita Zimmer (HousingPlus), and Teghvir Sethi (Spatial Equity Co.). The event, filmed by PBS for an upcoming NOVA special, centered on critical ideas such as:
- Expanding access to housing vouchers for working families
- Balancing public policy with private funding
- Promoting ethical development practices that serve the community
- Leveraging blockchain technology for efficiencies in the housing supply chain
- Ensuring community equity ownership in government-subsidized developments
The message was clear: with more than 2,000 New Yorkers unhoused each night, urgent, collaborative action is needed.
EMPOWER East New York: Amplifying Local Voices
EMPOWER East New York is our comprehensive event and survey series designed to bring residents into the decision-making process. In partnership with the Local Development Corp of East New York, we launched the EMPOWER ENY Survey, an initiative that places the power directly into the hands of those who live and work in the community.
By collecting critical data on housing, jobs, and transportation, the survey ensures that future development reflects the real needs and aspirations of East New York’s residents. Participants, dubbed Movers and Shapers, gain access to exclusive events and opportunities through EastNewYork.com.
This omni-channel campaign also highlights the opportunities in underutilized areas such as Broadway Junction, which can house thousands of vulnerable families, expand green space, and reduce overcrowding while setting the stage for responsible neighborhood revitalization.
Tools for Career Development and Entrepreneurship
Equity Partners recognizes that community strength is built not just through housing but also through opportunity. Continuing the EMPOWER East New York event series, we hosted “Tools for Career Development and Entrepreneurship”, a panel discussion and resource fair at 127 Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn.
This event connected job seekers with local businesses and organizations actively hiring, from entry-level to specialized roles. Panelists from diverse industries provided insights, success stories, and career advice, inspiring participants to make informed decisions about their professional futures. The combination of a career fair and expert-led discussion underscored our belief that economic empowerment and housing security must go hand in hand.
Our Impact: Building Bridges, Creating Equity
Since our founding, Equity Partners has brought together elected officials, community leaders, and corporate allies to ensure that the communities most affected by policy decisions are not left out of the conversation. With more than 2,000 individuals engaged and countless collaborations formed, we have created a replicable model for connecting grassroots voices to policymakers and institutional stakeholders.
At its core, our work ensures that affordable housing is not just a policy topic but a lived reality, backed by education, opportunity, and equitable ownership.
