President | Broker | Realtor®

Austin Black II is the founder of City Living Detroit; a full-service real estate brokerage that is headquartered in Detroit’s thriving Midtown neighborhood. His firm specializes in properties located in Detroit with a focus on downtown, the growing riverfront, the cultural center, and the city’s historic neighborhoods.

Austin has shown an interest in urban development and major metropolitan cities.  His fascination started with an elementary school project about tall skyscrapers and wind velocity.  It continued later in life while studying at the university level.  He is a graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, College of Architecture, Art and Planning where he studied redevelopment projects abroad and earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies.

After visiting more than 20 cities in Europe and Italy and earning a degree that concentrated on Real Estate and Urban Redevelopment, Austin decided to return home to Detroit, Michigan and put his knowledge and passion to make Detroit a better place to live, work and raise a family.  

Upon his return, he quickly proved to be a rising star in Detroit real estate as he achieved success at all levels, and racked up both local and national accolades.

Austin’s worldly perspective on urban redevelopment, drive to stay on top of the latest industry trends, and passion for his hometown has earned him the respect and adoration of a city and its leadership. 

Austin has been the recipient of several awards and honors.  In 2010 he was recognized by Realtor® Magazine as one of 30 up and coming Realtors under 30 in the nation.  Crain’s Detroit Business named him to their Dream Board of Directors. He received the Rising Star Award from Max Broock Realtors and was named to the first Crain’s Detroit Business 20 in their 20s list.   

Austin is also an active member of the National Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors and the Western Wayne Oakland County Board of Realtors. He also serves on many boards and committees including the Downtown Detroit Boll Family YMCA, International Visitors Council, The Villages Community Detroit Corporation, Detroit Synergy, and Detroit Renaissance, Road to Renaissance. He also holds memberships with Cornell Club of Michigan, United Way of Southeast Michigan’s Leadership Next Initiative, and Detroit Athletic Club.

In addition to receiving a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies, Austin was  a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Resume

Real Estate Experience

• Broker/President of City Living Detroit
• Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Michigan
• National Association of Realtors
• Michigan Association of Realtors
• Western Wayne Oakland County Association of Realtors

Education

• Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 2003
  Bachelor of Science, Urban and Regional Studies
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 2002
  Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
  Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow
  Intensive study of quantitative methods, microeconomics and public policy analysis.
• Cornell-in-Rome, Rome, Italy, 2002
  Comprehensive study of urban development, planning, the economy and society in Europe and Italy. Visited over 21 Italian cities studying urban redevelopment and community development projects. 
• Cornell-in-Washington, Washington D.C., 2001
  Participated in courses relative to public policy and the political process.  Served one-semester internship at the Brookings Institution and conducted a major research project. 

Achievements/Awards

• Realtor Magazine 30 under 30, 2010
• Max Broock Realtors - Rising Star Award, 2007 
• Crain's Detroit Business - 20 in their 20s, 2006
• Crain's Detroit Business - Dream Board of Directors, 2006

Organization Affiliations

• Boll Family YMCA (Downtown Detroit) Advisory Board
• Detroit Works Project
• International Visitors Council  of Metropolitan Detroit 
• Detroit Athletic Club
• Detroit Athletic Club Community Outreach Committee
• Cornell Univeristy Alumni Association
• United Way of Southeast Michigan Leadership Next, Leadership Team Member (2007 to 2010)
• Detroit Synergy Advisory Board (2007 to 2010)
• Detroit Renaissance - Road to Renaissance Committee Member (2006)