Black Excellence Network Group

Overview

Our Black Excellence Network Group (BE) started as a group of 4 sales professionals and has grown to include more than 900 employees in all business segments at CBRE throughout our U.S. locations. 
 
BE’s Vision Statement is to advance diversity and inclusion as a core value benefiting CBRE, our clients, and our communities with a particular focus on recruiting, retaining and developing our black professionals. 

Our Mission is intentionally focused to deliver a platform and cultivate relationships where:

• BE operates as a vital contributor to the Company’s business and financial success through time 
• BE supports talent readiness and development for CBRE’s Black professionals at all levels
• BE contributes to CBRE’s earned reputation as the best place to work in the real estate industry for diverse professionals

Executive Committee

Tonya Brandon, BE Chairperson, Managing Director, GWS

Randal Dawson, Executive Vice President, Valuation & Advisory Services

Tashana-Lay Donaldson, Regional Director, Property Management

Wanda Goodloe, General Counsel, NY Tri-State

Jason Green, Managing Director, Portland, OR

Martin Lake, Director, Dallas, TX

Jim Wilson, CEO, GWS Americas

BE Initiatives

As we are now at this pivotal time – BE stands in solidarity with our leadership to deepen our dialogues on race relations, racial injustices; and importantly – on how we impact and influence outcomes for change. We will work with our executive committee, our members, and our chapters through necessary conversations for supporting the Black community and especially our employees beyond the recent tragic events. 
 
At the outset of this year, BE’s priorities initiatives included the below efforts. These will remain intact and deepen as we address and integrate activities.

• Supporting business partnerships (internal & external). Developing strategic partnerships internally and externally through member engagement, marketing and communication. 
  
  • BE messaging w/in internal communications and external publications; continuing to partner with Posse Foundation, NBMBAA, REAP, other relevant organizations.
  • Reconfirming champion/representative within key lines of business (LOBs); making connections with key client ERG representatives.
• Bolstering BE Programs for Talent Strategy & Member Engagement. Connecting our diverse CBRE workforce via recruiting, onboarding, retention, and development 
  
  • BE Scholarship Program (BSP)*
  • BE Chapters
  • BE Committees (GWS, Producers/Sales Professionals, etc.)

BE Scholarship Program

BE established the BE Scholarship Program (BSP), to address our strategic objectives to recruit, retain and develop highly qualified African American Advisory & Transaction Services and Capital Markets professionals to CBRE.

The primary goals of BSP include:

• Recruit and develop African American Advisory & Transaction Services and Capital Markets professionals with high potential 
• Target hires who have passion for sales and excellent credentials 
• BSP is a 24-month a structured program inclusive of compensation, mentoring, training and resources. Examples include: attendance and participation in CBRE Foundations courses, CBREU events, the BE National Conference; and assignment of a BE mentor