As we continue on the journey of becoming a ‘future matriarch’, there are certain milestones that mark your growth, your vision, and your legacy. One of the most meaningful, and maybe even proudest, of those milestones is homeownership.
A home is more than four walls and a roof; it’s a foundation. It’s stability. It’s a seed we plant not only for ourselves, but for the generations coming after us. Especially as Black women, the path to ownership carries deeper weight. Our relationship to land and property in this country has been shaped by exclusion, resilience, and determination. For many of us, owning a home isn’t just a personal achievement— it’s a radical act of reclamation. It’s proof that despite the odds, we are building, investing, and securing futures that our ancestors once only dreamed of.
That’s why we’re so excited to introduce a brand-new monthly homeownership series that will drop the last Thursday of every month. It will be dedicated to demystifying the homeownership journey and putting the power of knowledge directly into yours hands. We’ll be collaborating with Satchel Howard, a South Carolina native and trusted mortgage lender, who will be sharing a monthly newsletter designed to educate, empower, and guide you through all things mortgage lending.
Each newsletter will be broken into four intentional sections:
- A history moment spotlighting a key fact about homeownership and wealth
- A vocabulary word or definition to help you speak the language of lending with confidence
- A money-related tip to help you prepare to make the biggest purchase of your life (i.e. savings, down payments, etc).
- A step-by-step guide focused on one specific phase of the homeownership journey (each month will unlock a new step).
But before we dive into all of that… let’s properly meet the woman who will be guiding us along the way.
Meet Satchel!
Satchel is a South Carolina native and a mortgage lender. She is passionate about helping people build confidence, stability, and long-term wealth through homeownership. She is devoted to supporting women as they step into financial independence and the role of future matriarchs. With a background in retail and a love for connecting with people, Satchel focuses on making the homebuying process feel approachable, educational, and empowering. Outside of lending, she enjoys fashion, lifestyle content creation, and encouraging those around her to feel confident in every area of their lives— including their finances.
So, for February we are… LAYING THE FOUNDATION
Section 1: History
Why Homeownership Became a Generational Wealth Tool (Preparation > Perfect Timing)
For over a century, homeownership has been one of the main ways families in the U.S. have built financial stability. Beginning in the early 1900s, government policies and programs were created to encourage people to buy homes through long-term mortgage options and tax benefits. By the 1950s, the 30-year fixed mortgage became readily available, and several programs such as the G.I. Bill, and FHA Loans helped millions of families purchase homes with lower upfront costs and payments they could predict.
Over time, home values increased, which made it so many families were able to build equity– something they later used to start businesses, pay for education, or help their children purchase homes of their own.
But here’s something that deserves to be talked about openly: these opportunities were not equally available to everyone. Discriminatory lending practices and redlining prevented many Black families, immigrant families, and other communities from accessing ownership and the wealth that often came with it.
Understanding this history should empower you. The homebuying process has changed immensely, and today there are more protections, resources, and programs that are designed to help ALL qualified buyers succeed.
For many women, stepping into homeownership can also mean stepping into the role of a future matriarch. Owning a home is about more than having real estate— it’s about stability, security, and building something that is fully yours. The more you understand how the system works, the more confident and prepared you become to create your own path towards homeownership and on a timeline that works specifically for you!
Section 2: Vocab
Let’s break down the mortgage words we all pretend to know
MORTGAGE: a secured loan that is used to purchase or refinance real estate, in which the subject property acts as collateral. The borrower signs a mortgage which holds them accountable for regular payments over a set term. In case of stopped payments, the lender has the right to legally foreclose and seize the property.
REDLINING: a discriminatory practice in which financial institutions purposefully deny or limit services such as mortgages or loans to certain groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, or income. Redlining for a mortgage lender looks like someone refusing to lend in a neighborhood that may be labeled “high risk” or “hazardous” and mainly houses minorities.
INTEREST RATE: the percentage of the principal amount charged by a lender to a buyer, and it is typically calculated annually. Rates can be fixed or adjustable and they represent the cost of borrowing. Interest rates are heavily influenced by the current market and the borrowers individual credit worthiness as well as other factors.
Section 3: A Money tip
Become the CEO of your spending
For one month, carry a small notepad or use your notes app to keep track of your spending. Every coffee, target run, online order, and everything in between.
Not to judge yourself, but to understand where your money is going.
Having confidence with money starts with awareness, and awareness is where financial independence begins.
Section 4: A Step toward Homeownership
Step 1: Know your credit story. Not just the score.
Your credit score is important but knowing your credit history tells the full story. Pulling your credit report helps you see:
- What is helping your score
- What is hurting your score
- Any errors that can be fixed
- What lenders actually review when qualifying you for a loan
Take your time with this— reflect, reach out and ask Satchel questions, or pass the knowledge along. Legacy grows when we learn together.
We’re excited to continue this conversation on the last Thursday of March!
Leave any questions you have in the comments below!
