Inaugural Groundbreakers Conference to Bring Black Professionals of Land, Development and Built Environment to Charlotte

Four-day event will convene developers, planners, architects, engineers, investors and other industry leaders for connection, education, collaboration

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES, September 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Black professionals from across the country will converge in Charlotte, N.C., this fall for the inaugural Groundbreakers Conference, a multidisciplinary event created to bring together Black professionals working across land, development, real estate, housing and the built environment. The conference will take place Nov. 4–7, 2026, at The Westin Hotel Charlotte.

Groundbreakers is designed for professionals across the full spectrum of the industries that shape land and communities, including real estate development, architecture, engineering, law, urban planning, historic preservation, investment, construction and related fields. Over four days, attendees will have access to networking events, educational sessions offering continuing education credits and programming centered on knowledge-sharing, collaboration and the shared experiences of Black professionals in these industries.

“The Groundbreakers Conference was created to give Black professionals who work across the land and development industries a space where they can see and be seen,” conference organizer Racheal Baker said. “This is a place to build real relationships with peers who understand the specific challenges and opportunities in these fields—and to create connections that can lead to new ideas, partnerships and opportunities.”

Black professionals remain underrepresented across many of the industries that influence how land is planned, developed, designed, financed and built. For many, opportunities to connect with colleagues who share their background and experiences in these professions are rare. Groundbreakers aims to help close that gap by creating dedicated space for mentorship, collaboration, relationship-building and the exchange of ideas among Black professionals working at every stage of the process.

The conference arrives at a critical moment for communities across the country navigating complex challenges related to housing, development, land availability, construction costs and community growth. Black professionals working in land development, planning, architecture, construction, finance and related fields are positioned to play a critical role in shaping how communities respond to these challenges—from how land is planned and developed to how housing and other community assets are designed, financed, entitled and built.

By strengthening connections among Black professionals across these fields, Groundbreakers organizers hope to cultivate a stronger, more connected ecosystem of leaders equipped to shape the future of land, development and communities.

Registration is open now. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations interested in supporting the conference’s mission. For more information, including registration, schedule, speakers and sponsorship details, visit groundbreakersconference.com.

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Racheal Baker
Groundbreakers Conference
rbaker@groundbreakersconference.com
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