At Convergence Memphis, we’re working together to facilitate solutions that bring racial equity to homeownership.
Our work is focused on three primary strategy groups: developing and increasing inventory while working on solutions that strengthen the market position of first-time homebuyers, advocating for equitable housing policies through local and regional government outreach, and building partnerships with traditional homeownership institutions that remove existing barriers and improve educational and programmatic opportunities for prospective Black and minority homebuyers.
All of our efforts are specific to Memphis and the Mid-South. We know that housing markets and the prospective homebuyers within it are culturally and demographically unique. That’s why we tailor our efforts to the local market – creating solutions and synergies that are best for our community. This is why we recently became a subsidiary of United Housing, Inc., an established homeownership nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of local housing development, education and lending experience in Memphis.
While our work is local, our connections are broad. We were born out of the Mortgage Bankers Association and are one of several Convergence organizations nationwide. Shaping local solutions often requires collaborating with similar communities to find what’s working there. We have the network and resources to find evidence-based opportunities to increase homeownership nationally.
Use education, strategic partnerships and community connections to increase the pool of Memphians prepared to purchase their first home.
Actively seek opportunities to creatively build and renovate starter homes in the city’s footprint.
Build dynamic relationships with elected officials and appointed leaders to prioritize investment in local homeownership.
Kelbert Fagan is the program manager for United Housing Inc.'s subsidiary, Convergence Memphis. He uses his experience to lead program management, including budgets, fundraising and volunteer recruitment for the organization. Before Convergence Memphis, Fagan was the chief programs officer at Neighborhood Christian Center and had a tenured career at Boy Scouts of America. Fagan is a licensed real estate agent and an independent insurance agent.
Jeremy Less (Council Chair)
Vice President, Division Manager of Mortgage
Cadence Bank
Chance Carlisle
CEO
Carlisle Group
Michelle Couch
Executive Vice President
Patriot Bank
Andre Fowlkes
President
Neverstop.co
Michael Harris
Executive Director
Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority
michael@blightauthoritymemphis.org
Regina Hubbard
Broker
FastTrak Realty
Andrea Hudgins
W TN Liaison
Tennessee Housing Development Association
Dawn Kinard
Principal Broker & Owner
Welch Realty
P.J. McCarthy
Vice President of Affordable Lending
Fannie Mae
patrick_j_mccarthy@fanniemae.com
Steve O'Connor
Senior Vice President
Mortgage Bankers Association
Karen Stewart
Executive Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer
Bank 3
Keith Turbett
Community Development Manager
First Horizon
Brody Wamble
Community Affairs and Business Development Officer
Simmons Bank
Keith Turbett, Chair
Goeff Lewis, Vice Chair
Louisa Shepherd, Secretary
Michelle Couch, Treasurer
Gilda Williams, Honorary Board Member
Kate Kananura
Sharon Hyde
Rodney Tate, Jr.
Dexter Washington
Cheryl Hendeson
Jeff McEvoy
Emily Trenholm
Andre Jones
Andres Gallegos
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