April 25, 2026 — The Haitian Real Estate Professionals Association (HREPA) is proud to announce the selection of the inaugural cohort of students for its Young Haitians in Real Estate (YHRE) Program. Founded by HREPA President and Co-Founder Tracy Vertus, this groundbreaking initiative is designed to introduce Haitian youth across the United States and Canada to career pathways within the real estate industry.

Following a highly competitive application process, HREPA received an overwhelming number of submissions from driven students eager to explore opportunities in real estate. Applicants were evaluated based on their essays, demonstrated interest in the industry, and commitment to personal and professional growth.

The selected cohort represents a dynamic and diverse group of young leaders who will participate in a 12-week virtual career exposure and mentorship program running from May through August 2026. Through interactive sessions, mentorship, and direct engagement with industry professionals, participants will gain real-world insight into various sectors of real estate including brokerage, lending, development, property management, and construction.

“This program was created to provide the kind of early exposure and access that many of us, myself included, did not have,” said Tracy Vertus, President of HREPA. “I am incredibly inspired by the caliber of applicants and proud to welcome this group of students into what I believe will become a powerful pipeline of future leaders in real estate and beyond.”

As part of the program, each student will be paired with a mentor and will complete a capstone project focused on a specific real estate career pathway. The initiative is a key component of HREPA’s broader mission to advance homeownership and foster economic mobility within Haitian communities.

Meet the 2026 YHRE Cohort

If you are interested in learning more about this program or would like to sponsor, please email us at YHRE@hrepa.org.