Thirty women and people of color start learning to develop and sell real estate Friday, and build some social capital on the side.

"This is going to be really positive," said Farad Ali, project director with the N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development and a member of Durham's City Council.

"Executive Minority Program in Real Estate" ("EMPIRE") is a three-month course in appraising, finance, law, design, sales and public incentives. The Institute of Minority Economic Development is a sponsor along with the Self-Help Credit Union and Durham Chamber of Commerce.