Throughout her years of helping new homeowners as a television star and realtor, Egypt Sherrod has never forgotten the joy she felt when she bought her first house.
The host of HGTV’s “Property Virgins” and “Married to Real Estate,” then 24, remembers crying as she walked through the front door with her mother after saving money from her early broadcasting jobs. She even bent down to kiss the floor in the hallway.
“It was such an incredible sense of empowerment,” she said. “A home is not just a place to live; it’s where people and families dream, grow and build futures. Affordable housing is at the heart of so many parts of a strong community.”
On Nov. 5, Sherrod will appear at a morning fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, a 40-year-old nonprofit that champions affordable housing and first-time homebuyers. “Believe & Build: A Breakfast for Change” will bring together Habitat beneficiaries, regional leaders and the public to discuss the chapter’s mission.
Speaking by phone in advance of Monday’s World Habitat Day, an annual event recognized by the United Nations, Sherrod called on communities to view affordable and safe housing as a right for all — not a privilege for some.
World Habitat Day aims to highlight an international shortage of adequate shelter, which in turn damages families’ abilities to educate their children, eat healthfully, access medical care and fully integrate into their communities.
“It’s a real crisis that we’re facing,” Sherrod said. “Housing is what creates generational wealth, not only monetarily but spiritually. It’s how everyone succeeds.”
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for selected applicants, who must meet financial qualifications and contribute at least 300 hours of sweat equity via hands-on construction work. Homebuyers also take on an affordable mortgage to pay over 20 to 30 years.
“Believe & Build” is a call to action as more local families struggle with rising housing costs that can leave little money for food, medicine and other expenses, said Shauntrice Williams, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.
The November event will feature a full breakfast buffet, stories from Habitat homeowners and a fireside chat with Sherrod and area leaders about ideas about adding more lower-priced real estate. “A family simply cannot thrive without a consistent roof over its head,” Williams said.
Sherrod, 48, is a multihyphenate figure based in Atlanta: a radio personality and podcaster; TV celebrity; author; founder and CEO of a real estate company, design firm and home furnishing line; and co-founder of 1000-Women Owned, a nonprofit that aims to offer financing and mentorship to hundreds of female-led businesses over the next five years.
A Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, Sherrod also has three daughters, ages 6, 13 and 24. She was host and executive producer of the popular reality series “Married to Real Estate” for four seasons on HGTV, where she and her husband, Mike Jackson, juggled work and family as they helped clients find their perfect home.
Sherrod also starred on the network’s “Property Virgins,” which documented the often-draining experiences of people buying their first homes, and “Flipping Virgins,” which showcased the realities of buying, renovating and reselling a home for profit.
With those shows in syndication, Sherrod and Jackson are set to begin filming a new series in early November, although she could not discuss details.
Involved with Habitat for Humanity for about six years, Sherrod has participated in three hands-on “Women Build” programs that teach female volunteers construction skills as they assist on Habitat projects. She also appears as an ambassador at events for the organization.
“I’ve been there when people come home to their new houses,” she recalled. “It’s life changing for them, and it fills my cup as well.”
Sherrod and Williams will chat with Amber Price, the chief nursing officer for Sentara; Terri Francis, neighborhood services manager for Newport News; and Chris Thompson, director of strategic housing for Virginia Housing, a nonprofit focused on affordable real estate. Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International’s CEO, also will speak.
“Egypt adds such a unique blend of expertise and perspective to our event,” Williams said. “She’s willing to use her voice to shine a spotlight on an urgent message, and the more people who hear it, the better.”
A sale and a fundraiser
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg received a commending resolution from the Virginia General Assembly Monday morning in honor of its 40th anniversary. Monday also kicks off a weeklong sale at the Newport News ReStore location, 371 Chatham Drive.
The Habitat chapter will host “Believe & Build: A Breakfast for Change,” a first annual fundraiser set for 7:30 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Newport News Marriott at City Center, 740 Town Center Drive. Tickets are $150 per person, with sponsorship opportunities available. Visit habitatpgw.org/events for information.
Alison Johnson, ajohnsondp@yahoo.com
