The Accordia team welcomed students from the Urban Scholars Program for a tour of the Dorchester Bay City site, introducing them to opportunities in the commercial real estate industry. The tour was a collaborative effort involving the DBC team, UMass Boston, Haley & Aldrich, along with representatives from Stantec and Scalora Consulting Group.
Students enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of activities, including a scavenger hunt, engaging discussions, and a walking tour that showcased the potential of the DBC project. They learned about the benefits the Project will bring to the Dorchester community, including a publicly accessible waterfront, new green spaces, inclusive retail and restaurant spaces, and more.
Kelly Taylor, Associate VP at Accordia, gave students an in-depth overview of the project, highlighting how the transformation of the current asphalt parking lots into a mixed-use neighborhood will connect and benefit the entire community of Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts, and beyond.
Accordia has always been committed to inclusivity and equity, especially for those interested in pursuing careers in commercial real estate. This commitment can be showcased by the ongoing involvement of our co-managing partners, Kirk Sykes and Dick Galvin, in real estate programs such as REEX and CREST.
The Real Estate Exchange (REEX) Summer Program, co-founded by Sykes, is a two-week immersive experience designed to introduce students of color to a wide range of colleges, universities, and potential careers within the commercial real estate field. Sykes has been actively involved with REEX participants since the program’s inception in 2016.
The Commercial Real Estate Success Training (CREST) Internship Program, established by Galvin over a decade ago, aims to attract underrepresented students of color and women to the commercial real estate industry. CREST continues to support commercial real estate and related companies in their efforts to diversify the industry.
The Urban Scholars Program, a six-week initiative run through UMass Boston, is designed to prepare students from Boston Public Schools in Dorchester and Roxbury for college and future careers.