Meet Constance Carter, She’s Bridging the Wealth Gap with the Largest African American Real Estate Firm in CA

Best selling author and CEO Constance Carter is shrinking the wealth gap and paving the way for POC’s within the real estate business. Constance is the founder of Catalyst Real Estate & Lending Firm based out of Stockton, California. She started her company back in 2010 when she saw the need to help minority families achieve their goals towards wealth management. Forbes Magazine stated that “Real Estate builds wealth more consistently than other asset class.” 90% of the world’s wealth is created through real estate and Constance is teaching our community how to obtain it.

She’s breaking the mold when it comes to developing the blueprint to building wealth. Constance teaches minorities how to build a wealth portfolio and it begins with buying their first home. The Broker, Founder, and CEO has everything from online training programs thru “My Wealth Roadmap”, Best Seller called “Keeping The Score” and her newest book called “The Secret to Breaking the B.R.O.K.E. CODE” which is an International Best Seller. Constance solidifies her spot as a true wealth activist. Fox News, Huffington Post, Black Enterprises, and Thrive Global have all raved about the contribution Constance Carter is adding to the community of minorities looking to tighten the wealth gap.

In the midst of the worldly chaos, it’s more imperative than ever for minorities to learn to invest in and own property. With interest rates at the lowest we’ve seen in 50 years, incentivized tax breaks, and access to equity loans. In 1968 housing discrimination was legal, but still today the black-white homeownership gap is wider now at a shocking 30.1 percent gap. Factors that come into play involve Credit Score, Income, Marital Status, and Education. 17 percent of those factors are deemed unexplainable, which are believed to be due to policies set in play that make it difficult for black homeowners to buy. Carter’s Real Estate & Lending Firm not only helps families get into homes, but they also promote building and protecting wealth, coaching tools, and financial literacy.

Constance, you’re the owner of the largest African American Real Estate & Lending Firm in California. How did you get your start?

I purchased my first home at 23. I loved the fact that I was able to purchase a home when so many people told me it was impossible.  But the process was honestly horrific. I had a couple of bad experiences and an agent who didn’t look out for my best interest. I decided a few years later that I would try my hand in real estate after a few bad experiences. I wanted people like me to know it actually is possible to become a home buyer. If you have a job, you can own a home. 

My goal was to prevent people from going through the same struggles as I did. While everyone around me cared about how many deals they could close, I was more concerned with how many families I could help and lives I could change. In 2010, I opened up Catalyst Real Estate Professionals. This was during the height of the foreclosure crisis and we were located in Stockton, CA the ground zero foreclosure epicenter. Our goal then was to help restore lives and turn distressed properties into thriving neighborhoods. We started with a diverse group of 10 women. 

As the market changed, we changed our business, but never changed our values. We hired more like-minded professionals and expanded to both lending and real estate. Today we are able to help people on a more holistic level because of our diverse offerings.

You spoke candidly on how you once went bankrupt and had a 379 Credit score. What were some of the essential steps you took to get out of the slump?

The first thing was understanding how I got there and shifting my mindset from Broke & Broken to that of Abundance. I then educated myself on credit and money management and began helping others with the exact same thing. Within 1 year of filing bankruptcy, my credit score was up to nearly 700. But more importantly, I was helping others to change their mindset, financial status, and wealth portfolio. This was the most rewarding thing for me.

Most of your employees are Women of Color. Do you have future plans as far as creating other jobs for minority women? 

95% of the people in my firm are women. They are drawn to our firm because they see themselves in me. But beyond Constance Carter, we have an extremely collaborative environment.  Everyone helps and celebrates one another. The synergy is unmatched. It’s a beautiful thing. Creating jobs and wealth is an essential goal for me. I’m not showing agents how to sell homes, I am teaching them how to create sustainable businesses that transcend beyond real estate.  I teach them how to build their corporations, set their foundations, create their marketing strategies, set goals, and projections. They can take what I am teaching them and create any type of business they choose.

Do you have any intentions on expanding your firm?

I am currently licensed in the states of Georgia and Texas.  We’re developing proprietary software so that we can license and possibly franchise Catalyst Real Estate Professionals.

You recently launched a Co-Working space for Creatives and Entrepreneurs. Tell us what your vision for the concept was?

My passion is to help young entrepreneurs excel. I saw a need that wasn’t being met. Our space is very forward-thinking. We offer affordable office space. It’s not only a collaboration space, but we are equipped with an auditorium for larger events, several classrooms, a library, conference room, private offices, cubicles, a print/marketing department, and a podcast room.

You’re the author of the International Best Selling Book “The Secret to Breaking the B.R.O.K.E Code”. Your book helps people on the path to gaining their full financial potential. What’s your favorite tip or quote from the book?

The power of the tongue. Your words are the singular most powerful force in the universe. It can be used to build up or tear down. You can literally speak life or death into existence.

You’re a Wife and Mother of 4 but you wear several hats. Amongst those are Founder, Broker, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Wealth Activist. What title are you most proud of?

Mother is what I’m most proud of. Wealth Activator is closest to my heart. My mission as a Wealth Activist is empowering people to break the cycle of poverty within their families and making abundance the new norm