---
title: Achieving the American Dream Leadership Forum by First American
description: Join elected officials, business leaders, academics, practitioners and advocates from all sides for an in-depth discussion on how to more broadly facilitate achieving the American Dream
---

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# RSVP Today

## *ACHIEVING THE AMERICAN DREAM:*

HOMEOWNERSHIP, ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND THE CHALLENGES

FACING THE NATION’S LATINO AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

 

**FEATURED SPEAKERS:  
**Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)  
Former Governor Luis Fortuño (R-PR)  
Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO)  
Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA)

 

**ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS INCLUDE:**

Barrett Burns,  
President and CEO, VantageScore Solutions

Gary Acosta,  
Co-Founder and CEO, National Association of  
Hispanic Real Estate Professionals

Patty Arvielo,  
President, New American Funding

Cheryl Roberts,  
 Executive Director, African-American  
Alliance for Homeownership

Kurt Pfotenhauer,  
VIce Chairman, First American

Mark Fleming,  
Chief Economist, First American

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (lunch will be provided)

Rayburn House Office Building

Rooms B338 & B339

  

Join elected officials, business and community leaders from all sides for this bi-partisan conversation on the specific challenges the new "majority minority" faces in achieving economic mobility.

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**ABOUT THE EVENT**

 

Achieving the American Dream of homeownership and increasing economic mobility – these issues are as important today as they have ever been.  In the next 30 years, collectively, minorities will become the new “minority majority” in the U.S. Meanwhile, homeownership rates have dropped to generationally low levels, meaning fewer Americans benefit from the economic, financial and social advantages homeownership provides. The decision to become a homeowner is one of the most important decisions, and commitments, a person or family makes. In this event, we explore the influences on homeownership decisions and how the African-American and Latino communities are managing.

Improving economic mobility and addressing the sentiment of the Latino and African-American communities that they are being shut out from the nation’s prosperity are defining themes for U.S. policymakers. Providing all Americans with an equal opportunity to pursue homeownership is a challenge that transcends party lines and resonates with all Americans.

Please join First American along with Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), former Governor Luis Fortuño (R-PR), Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), and industry and community leaders on October 27 for a leadership forum that will address these critical issues, and explore solutions for the soon to be minority-majority that considers homeownership a critical part of the American Dream – possibly more so than ever before.

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**Event Agenda**

**Tuesday, October 27, 2015**

 

| ### Time | ### Session Overview and Speakers |
| --- | --- |
| 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | **Lunch and Introductory Remarks** **Speakers:** - Kurt Pfotenhauer, Vice Chairman, First American - Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) - Former Governor Luis Fortuño (R-PR) - Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) - Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA) |
| 12:45-1:45 p.m. | **Panel Discussion: Homeownership: Advent of the Renter Society?** The decision to become a homeowner is one of the most important choices and commitments a person or family makes. It is influenced by a number of factors – age, education, income and parental status, to name just a few.  In this panel, we explore the influences on homeownership decisions and how the African-American and Hispanic communities are managing.  Are the observed ethnic homeownership inequities due to demographics, economics, access to credit, or something else? What can be done to address these significant challenges and identify sustainable solutions? **Moderator**: Chris Lawrence, News4 NBC Washington **Panelists:** - Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American - Barrett Burns, President and CEO, VantageScore Solutions - Gary Acosta, Co-founder and CEO, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Agents - Patty Arvielo, President, New American Funding - Cheryl Roberts, Executive Director, African-American Alliance for Homeownership |
| 1:45-2:00 p.m. | **Closing Remarks: Achieving the American Dream** **Speakers:** - Kurt Pfotenhauer, Vice Chairman First American - Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) - Former Governor Luis Fortuño (R-PR) - Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) - Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA) |

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