What are the two distinct economic models for career paths, and how do they apply to commercial real estate roles?

There is the time and effort economy where people are paid for showing up and doing the work, and the results economy where income depends on producing results.

How should someone with no connections break into commercial real estate as a career in their 20s?

The first step is education and understanding the different pathways available—broker, investor, developer, property manager, asset manager, or other roles.

What are the main objectives and operational model of a commercial real estate investment foundation serving minorities and veterans?

The Black Foundation is a 501c3 private foundation focused on providing career pathways to minorities and veterans into commercial real estate.

🎧 Listen to the episode on Listenly

How does the Black Foundation tailor education for every career stage in real estate?

September 3, 2026 Commercially Speaking Podcast · Daymond Kirby

The Black Foundation designs distinct educational programs for each career phase: high school students get career day exposure and mindset training, juniors and seniors receive real estate licensing support starting at age 18, college students participate in panels and workshops, and working professionals access CCIM preparation, career placement, and ongoing guidance throughout their commercial real estate journey.

The foundation's approach recognizes that entry points into commercial real estate vary dramatically by age and circumstance. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all program, each stage of development receives tailored resources that match what learners actually need at that moment in their career trajectory.

Building awareness early, enabling advancement later

For middle and high school students, the foundation focuses on planting seeds through career day representation, mindset manifestation exercises, and thinking bigger frameworks. These younger participants are exploring possibilities, not yet ready for technical credentials—so the emphasis falls on expanding what feels achievable and showing that commercial real estate is a realistic path.

As discussed in the Commercially Speaking Podcast, juniors and seniors transition into actionable preparation: they learn how to obtain a real estate license at age 18, gaining a concrete credential that opens doors. The foundation provides structured support for this milestone, making licensing attainable rather than mysterious.

College students engage differently again—through panels, Q&A sessions, and workshops that blend peer learning with professional insight. This stage emphasizes network-building and decision-making about which commercial real estate pathway fits their ambitions: broker, investor, developer, property manager, or asset manager.

Professional development for those already in motion

Adults already working in or seriously considering commercial real estate access the foundation's most intensive offerings: guidance on career progression, preparation for the CCIM designation (the industry's highest credential), career placement assistance, and resources designed to support success from beginning to end. As Daymond Kirby emphasizes, access to knowledge and opportunity remains the foundation's core mission across all levels.

The foundation currently operates in Tennessee with expansion to Arizona planned, meaning these programs reach minorities and veterans who might otherwise lack mentorship, credential support, or industry connections in their regions.

"Access knowledge and opportunity is really what we focus on at the Black Foundation."

Daymond Kirby — Founder, Black Foundation. Born on an Army post in Panama and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kirby relocated to Phoenix where he played college soccer before launching his commercial real estate career in June 2020. He earned his CCIM designation in 2023 and established the Black Foundation, a 501c3 private foundation dedicated to providing career pathways to minorities and veterans in commercial real estate.

For anyone curious about how the foundation bridges the gap between mindset and measurable results—or how professionals navigate the economics of commission-based versus results-driven roles—the full episode explores both the philosophy and mechanics of career progression in commercial real estate.