WEALTH
STREAM NEWS
STREAM NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest news from the Hispanic Wealth Project
Empowering Wealth Creation: An Interview with Janaye Ingram, Airbnb
Janaye M. Ingram is the Director of Community Partner Programs and Engagement at Airbnb, where she connects travelers with unique homes and experiences while fostering economic opportunities for hosts. In her strategic role, Ingram engages with multicultural communities and stakeholders, oversees Airbnb's civil rights initiatives, and leads the company’s $100 million Community Fund. Her previous positions at the company include Director of National Partnerships and Director of 21st Century Communities Initiatives.
Before joining Airbnb, Ingram played a pivotal role in planning the original Women's March on Washington in 2017, serving as the Head of Logistics and co-founding Women’s March, Inc. She has held leadership positions in civil rights, including National Executive Director of the National Action Network, and has contributed to various nonprofits focused on education and microfinance. Ingram’s impactful work has garnered recognition, including being named one of Glamour Magazine's Women of the Year in 2017 and receiving accolades from ESSENCE Magazine and Black Entertainment Television. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from The New School University and actively serves on advisory and board positions for several nonprofit organizations.
In an insightful conversation, we explore the intersection of wealth empowerment and community engagement within the Latino community, particularly through the lens of Airbnb hosting.
Ingram reflects on the company's journey from its roots in economic necessity to becoming a platform that facilitates wealth diversification for many. “The inception of Airbnb was born during the Great Recession, where two friends struggled to pay rent,” Ingram shares. “This core story is interwoven with our mission—helping families leverage their homes for additional income to alleviate financial strain.” In 2023, hosts across the United States collectively earned approximately $24 billion – that’s billion with a ‘B’, with the average host generating about $14,000 in supplemental income. Ingram highlights that a significant 65% of hosts use their earnings to manage rising household costs, while 43% indicate that these funds play a crucial role in maintaining their homes.
Ingram underscores the broader implications of homeownership in wealth generation. “Home ownership is a critical pathway for generational wealth and creates opportunities for various communities,” she states. “Our hosts come from diverse backgrounds—teachers, retirees, and even artists—who use hosting as a vehicle for financial stability and community enrichment.”
A focal point of our discussion revolved around the partnerships Airbnb fosters to empower organizations within the Latino community. “Partnerships are vital for us,” says Ingram. “Since I joined Airbnb, we've actively engaged with organizations tailored to support communities of color, like Hispanic Wealth Project, LULAC, and others, focusing on entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.”
Ingram invites readers to consider the importance of initiatives like the Airbnb Academy, a program designed to educate individuals on leveraging their homes for hosting opportunities. “The academy not only introduces participants to how Airbnb works but also teaches them the financial and social aspects of hosting,” she explains. “It’s about building a community among hosts where they can learn from each other.”
As an advocate for wealth creation, Ingram emphasizes the unique experiences Airbnb offers. “People often think of Airbnb solely as a hosting platform, but it’s so much more,” she elaborates. “During travels, guests can engage with local experiences, from cooking lessons to guided tours, showcasing the diversity and richness of various cultures.”
Addressing the Latino community specifically, Ingram points out striking growth statistics, noting that in 2023, 32% more U.S. guests selected Spanish as their primary language on the platform. “Family is central to travel within the community; 61% of Latino travelers prioritize visiting family, often traveling in groups,” Ingram adds. This trend presents a unique opportunity for hosts to cater to these familial connections while building relationships across cultures.
When asked how wealth is defined personally, Ingram responds candidly. “Wealth, for me, isn’t just about money. It’s about freedom and the ability to create opportunities for yourself and your community,” she states. “At Airbnb, we empower hosts to generate additional income that supports their families and stimulates local economies.”
Reflecting on her work at Airbnb, Ingram envisions a legacy of inclusivity. “I want to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their background, understands the opportunity that exists within hosting,” she expresses. “The goal is to build a more inclusive economy where people can thrive.”
Ingram leaves a resonating message for those considering their own journey with Airbnb: “Start now—don’t wait! Come to an academy session. This opportunity is not just for the few; it’s for all of us.”
Through her leadership and commitment to community empowerment, Janaye Ingram exemplifies how Airbnb is more than a platform—it's a catalyst for economic mobility and cultural connection.
Before joining Airbnb, Ingram played a pivotal role in planning the original Women's March on Washington in 2017, serving as the Head of Logistics and co-founding Women’s March, Inc. She has held leadership positions in civil rights, including National Executive Director of the National Action Network, and has contributed to various nonprofits focused on education and microfinance. Ingram’s impactful work has garnered recognition, including being named one of Glamour Magazine's Women of the Year in 2017 and receiving accolades from ESSENCE Magazine and Black Entertainment Television. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from The New School University and actively serves on advisory and board positions for several nonprofit organizations.
In an insightful conversation, we explore the intersection of wealth empowerment and community engagement within the Latino community, particularly through the lens of Airbnb hosting.
Ingram reflects on the company's journey from its roots in economic necessity to becoming a platform that facilitates wealth diversification for many. “The inception of Airbnb was born during the Great Recession, where two friends struggled to pay rent,” Ingram shares. “This core story is interwoven with our mission—helping families leverage their homes for additional income to alleviate financial strain.” In 2023, hosts across the United States collectively earned approximately $24 billion – that’s billion with a ‘B’, with the average host generating about $14,000 in supplemental income. Ingram highlights that a significant 65% of hosts use their earnings to manage rising household costs, while 43% indicate that these funds play a crucial role in maintaining their homes.
Ingram underscores the broader implications of homeownership in wealth generation. “Home ownership is a critical pathway for generational wealth and creates opportunities for various communities,” she states. “Our hosts come from diverse backgrounds—teachers, retirees, and even artists—who use hosting as a vehicle for financial stability and community enrichment.”
A focal point of our discussion revolved around the partnerships Airbnb fosters to empower organizations within the Latino community. “Partnerships are vital for us,” says Ingram. “Since I joined Airbnb, we've actively engaged with organizations tailored to support communities of color, like Hispanic Wealth Project, LULAC, and others, focusing on entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.”
Ingram invites readers to consider the importance of initiatives like the Airbnb Academy, a program designed to educate individuals on leveraging their homes for hosting opportunities. “The academy not only introduces participants to how Airbnb works but also teaches them the financial and social aspects of hosting,” she explains. “It’s about building a community among hosts where they can learn from each other.”
As an advocate for wealth creation, Ingram emphasizes the unique experiences Airbnb offers. “People often think of Airbnb solely as a hosting platform, but it’s so much more,” she elaborates. “During travels, guests can engage with local experiences, from cooking lessons to guided tours, showcasing the diversity and richness of various cultures.”
Addressing the Latino community specifically, Ingram points out striking growth statistics, noting that in 2023, 32% more U.S. guests selected Spanish as their primary language on the platform. “Family is central to travel within the community; 61% of Latino travelers prioritize visiting family, often traveling in groups,” Ingram adds. This trend presents a unique opportunity for hosts to cater to these familial connections while building relationships across cultures.
When asked how wealth is defined personally, Ingram responds candidly. “Wealth, for me, isn’t just about money. It’s about freedom and the ability to create opportunities for yourself and your community,” she states. “At Airbnb, we empower hosts to generate additional income that supports their families and stimulates local economies.”
Reflecting on her work at Airbnb, Ingram envisions a legacy of inclusivity. “I want to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their background, understands the opportunity that exists within hosting,” she expresses. “The goal is to build a more inclusive economy where people can thrive.”
Ingram leaves a resonating message for those considering their own journey with Airbnb: “Start now—don’t wait! Come to an academy session. This opportunity is not just for the few; it’s for all of us.”
Through her leadership and commitment to community empowerment, Janaye Ingram exemplifies how Airbnb is more than a platform—it's a catalyst for economic mobility and cultural connection.
More Wealth Stream News
Hispanic Wealth Project Pillars
Click on one of the pillars below for more articles.
