BlackHawk Mortgage Team Looks To Help A Community Facing Stricter Lending Standards – NMP
Industry News

BlackHawk Mortgage Team Looks To Help A Community Facing Stricter Lending Standards

May 11, 2020
Phillip Harris and JoColby Harrell on Bars and Real Estate
A headshot of Navi Persaud
Director of Events

BlackHawk Mortgage was founded by Phillip Harris, (left in photo) a six-year U.S. Air Force combat civil engineer, in 2017. Harris, an African American business owner, has a special interest in helping members of the community acquire wealth through homeownership, according to Q City Metro. With that drive, Harris and a fellow military veteran, friend and experienced banker JoColby Harrell created a platform to help deliver their message to a community that faces stricter lending standards.
 
"Even before the pandemic, data from the State of Housing in Black America report showed declining rates for Black homeownership," according to the report. "The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 44% of Black families owned homes in the first quarter of the year compared to 73.7% of white households, likely widening the wealth gap."
 
The report revealed that the majority of BlackHawk's business comes from word-of-mouth and referrals, however, tighter lending standards has reduced their targeted customer significantly, forcing them to find an innovative way to reach them. Together, Harris and Harrell developed a YouTube series titled, "Bars and Real Estate." 
 
"The video clips feature Harrell and Harris relating rap lyrics to real estate and finances. With music’s cultural impact, Bars and Real Estate seeks to make real estate discussions more relatable for a younger audience," according to the report. "You don’t see too many young, African-American men in the mortgage space," said Harrell, who serves as a senior loan officer with BlackHawk Mortgage. "We wanted to put some flavor to the information and present in a way that [would be] entertaining to someone who looked like us and was in our age group."
 
Harris added that the series was never intended to be a way to gain more clients, as they both have other ways to generate income.
 
"We wanted to share information with the general public and hoped someone could relate to it, gain knowledge, and have a conversation about what they have learned," said Harris, according to the report.
 
Click here to learn more about Harris and Harrell's "Bars and Real Estate" series.
 
About the author
A headshot of Navi Persaud
Director of Events
Navi Persaud is Director of Events at NMP.
Link copied
Published
May 11, 2020
Get the NMP Daily
Industry News
Newfi And Addy AI Announce Partnership

Newfi and Addy AI today announced a collaboration focused on the continued evolution of artificial intelligence in mortgage lending

Newfi and Addy AI today announced a collaboration focused on the continued evolution of artificial intelligence in mortgage lending.Newfi has built innovative lending products and a modern approach to the mortgage market. As the industry evolves, the company continues to exp...

Continue reading
Analysis and Data
Smaller Down Payments Give Buyers More Room, But Rates Limit The Savings

The typical down payment fell 9% from a year ago, while shifting market conditions are giving originators different affordability conversations across the country

Homebuyers are putting less money down than they were a year ago, another sign that increased inventory and greater negotiating room are changing the purchase market.The typical down payment fell to $27,100 in the second quarter of 2026, the lowest second-quarter dollar amou...

Continue reading
Renew your NMLS License — for free.

Enjoy access to a free NMLS renewal class when you attend an in-person event.

Find an event
More from
Industry News
CHLA: More Freddie Mac MBS Buying Could Narrow Mortgage Spreads

Trade group estimates greater Freddie participation could compress spreads another 10 to 12 basis points as Fannie has taken the lead in GSE mortgage-bond buying

Industry News
Sep 23, 2026
Early Loan-Limit Race Splits Into Three Tiers

Lenders are now offering $845,000, $847,440, or $850,000 before FHFA sets the official 2027 limits

Industry News
Sep 23, 2026
Better, Garg Clash Over Claimed 46% Shareholder Support

Better disputes its former CEO’s preliminary consent count as the two sides trade accusations and an Oct. 2 target date approaches

C-Suite Strategies
Sep 23, 2026
Fannie Changes How Rent From A Former Home Counts

Fannie now prohibits leases for departing residences and permits market-analysis tools instead of Form 1007, creating a key documentation difference from Freddie Mac

Regulation and Compliance
Sep 22, 2026
MPF Expands Eligibility For Manufactured And Renovation Loans

The Mortgage Partnership Finance Program has expanded MPF Traditional eligibility for affordable loans, manufactured homes, renovations, and lender-funded assistance

Industry News
Sep 22, 2026