Undaunted by attacks on DEI (“diversity, equity, and inclusion''), OKC-area real estate agents are undaunted by attacks on DEI to align themselves with Oklahoma City's changing makeup. That never happened.
Members of five real estate boards and four other real estate associations recently met for an event billed as “Celebrating Diversity Together.” The real estate agent is a state-licensed real estate agent and a member of the National Association of Realtors, a trade group that encourages state and local boards to create DEI committees.
Whether it's called “DEI” or not, promoting diversity is nothing new for real estate agents in the OKC area, who see it as a natural extension of their obligation to uphold fair housing laws that prohibit discrimination.
“We are very proud of this event and the work we are doing as an organization,” said Adam Majory, CEO of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors.
Other real estate groups that participated were the Edmond Association of Realtors, the Midwest City-DelCity-Moore Association of Realtors, the Norman Association of Realtors, and the Oklahoma Association of Realtors.
Related:Ryan Walters says diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are Marxist, demands school spending report
DEI programs aren't 'Marxist' and are actually good for business, Oklahoma real estate agent says
DEI is, as State Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has declared, “Marxist through and through,” better described as “dividing, excluding, and indoctrinating,” and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Majory said the effort to do so is a wise business decision.
Ironically, he said, long-term improvements in DEI for real estate agents and businesses that primarily trade as independent contractors may depend on schools.
“It is the duty of real estate agent organizations at all levels to ensure that our membership represents and reflects the communities we serve,” Majory said. “There are two main avenues: one, to ensure historically underrepresented demographics enter the real estate profession at an earlier age; It's about charting a path where becoming an expert isn't just your second or third career.
“To change the demographics of our membership, we need to make real estate education available in schools, especially in high schools. This will ultimately change the demographics of our members and licensees.”
Gary Jones, director of government affairs for the Metro Association of Realtors, who moderated the diversity conference, said Oklahoma City is more diverse than ever.
Related:Minority-owned Oklahomans continue to see redlining in home values. Do I need to change my evaluation process?
OKC is more diverse than any local, state, or national realtor
Jones said OKC is 58% white, 16% Hispanic, 14% black, 5% Native American, 3% Asian American and 2% two or more races or other. reported their ethnicity.
By comparison, 81% of Realtor members nationwide last year were white, up from 77% in 2022, 5% were Black, 5% were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 5% were Native American, according to the National Association of Realtors. 1%, others 3%.
At the end of January, the Oklahoma Association of Realtors' membership was 90.8% white, 3.5% Hispanic, 2.5% black and 1.6% Asian American, according to the state group.
The membership of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors is 87% white, 3% black, 3% Hispanic, 2% Native American and 3% other, according to the local group.
“New members tended to be more diverse than experienced members. Among members with two years or less of experience, 41% were minorities, up from 37% (in 2022),” Realtors reported. did.
Demographic statistics for state and OKC Realtors were not immediately available, but Jones said there is work to be done to ensure the real estate business, especially the housing business, “better reflects the communities we serve.” .
In addition to real estate agents, here are some real estate organizations that are working on DEI initiatives. Each took part in “Celebrating Diversity Together.''
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers was organized by black Americans in the real estate industry and has been active in Oklahoma City for decades, before real estate agents accepted blacks as members. Members are called “real estate agents.” The local chapter is the United Oklahoma Association of Realtors.
- Mission: “To strengthen the professional and business conditions[of real estate agents]by strengthening the consumer capabilities of the black, minority, and emerging target market segments that real estate agents serve. To improve the professional and business conditions (of real estate agents) by promoting the real estate industry as a whole through legal and social means.'' Use it to correct policies and practices. ”
- vision statement: “The Realtist Association is committed to promoting and sustaining elevated levels of real estate ownership investment sustained by (our) enduring commitment to the upholding and fulfillment of the Realtist Creed: Democracy in Housing.” facilitate greater intergenerational wealth creation by Black households through . ” ”
Related:National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Oklahoma Chapter established.
The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals has had an OKC chapter since 2017.
This national organization describes itself as a “purpose-driven organization driven by a passionate combination of entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, and member advocacy. Our mission is to advance sustainable Hispanic homeownership. It is explained as follows.
This is done as follows:
- ”educate and to empower real estate professionals who serve Hispanic home buyers and sellers. ”
- ”defend For public policy that supports the mission of trade associations. ”
- ”Facilitate Relationships with industry stakeholders, real estate practitioners, and other housing industry professionals. ”
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance is a relatively new organization, founded in 2020. Chuck Wells will be president of the OKC chapter in 2024. He said about 4% of Oklahomans are LGBTQ+.
- Mission: “Advocate, Elevate and Celebrate. Advocate for fair housing for all and advance LGBTQ+ homeownership. Elevate industry professionalism through education and networking. Celebrate the diversity and inclusion of our members and affiliate partners. ”
- vision: “Creating a world free of housing discrimination.”
Oklahoma City does not yet have a chapter of the Asian Association of Realtors. But Valorie J. Filippo, a member of the Edmond Board of Realtors, is working with other real estate agents to form a board. AREAA was founded in 2003 and has 43 chapters across the United States.
- Mission: “We are dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership opportunities in the Asian American community by creating a strong national voice of housing and real estate professionals serving this dynamic market. .”
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