Representation Matters: A Conversation About the LGBTQ+ Community for Pride Month
Pride Month, celebrated every June, honors the history, achievements, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Its roots trace back to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. REALTORS® Richard Strahm and Mon Kramer recently engaged in an enlightening discussion at the invitation of Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Their conversation encouraged real estate professionals to further their education about the LGBTQ+ community— including understanding their family structures, pronouns, and developing a sense of safety and trust—through educational resources, self-discovery, or networking events.
Cultural Competence in Real Estate During AAPI Month: A Conversation with Ahmed Islam & Yasmin Pacha
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) is held annually in May, it is a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout history. To help bring awareness and celebrate, REALTOR® Members Ahmed Islam and Yamin Pacha had a conversation about how AAPI holds significance in real estate, and why being able to support clients across all ethnic backgrounds is integral to the success of REALTORS®. During the interview, Ahmed noted that home ownership rates in the US for Asian Americans is higher than the national average at 62%. By actively engaging with this video and AAPI resources such as Asian Real Estate Association (AREAA), real estate professionals can gain deeper insights into the specific barriers and cultural expectations that AAPI clients may face. To echo Yasmin, taking time to understand the AAPI community’s cultural distinctions, preferences, and needs is essential in real estate transactions. Observing AAPI Month can prompt real estate professionals to deepen their understanding of these aspects, leading to more effective communication and service for their clients, and a greater understanding of their unique challenges and needs.
Voices of Impact: Women Leading the Way in Real Estate
As March unfolds, so does the celebration of Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. In the realm of real estate, this month takes on added significance as it prompts reflection on the pivotal role women play in shaping the industry. When the National Association of REALTORS® started in 1908, the membership was entirely male. (NAR, Women in Real Estate). Today, women make up a significant portion of real estate professionals, comprising about 67% of all real estate agents and brokers in the United States as of 2021. (NAR) Over the years women have also overcome historic barriers to home-buying and today, women own more homes than men. (NAR, Women Home Buyers). Recently, two Tri-County Suburban REALTOR® members, Bette McTamney and Marcella Farias Villarrea, engaged in a discussion about the importance of recognizing women’s impact within real estate, citing the strides made by female professionals in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity, and what it means to be a women in real estate today.
Celebrating Black History Every Day: A Conversation with Michael Howell and Dee Greene Hill
In a world where diversity, equity, and inclusion are becoming increasingly vital, every day presents an opportunity to celebrate black history. Incoming Chairman Elect Michael Howell and REALTOR® Member Dee Greene Hill recently engaged in a thought-provoking discussion led by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, highlighting the importance of recognizing and honoring black history beyond designated months.
While specialty months such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Pride Month serve as essential reminders, it is crucial to maintain awareness year-round. Being present, asking questions, and approaching conversations with curiosity are key elements in fostering understanding and appreciation for the contributions of people of color.
Respectful Interactions with Gender Nonconforming and Trans Individuals (June 2023)
This workshop, presented by the Housing Equality Center of PA, includes a presentation and discussion on cultural competency and ensuring respectful interactions with gender nonconforming and trans individuals. The discussion includes Fair Housing Act protections for LGBTQ2SIA+ people in housing related transactions.
Let’s Make Unfair Housing History (April 2023)
Discrimination in the real estate industry is real and ongoing. As community leaders, real estate professionals have an opportunity to be a part of equitable and inclusive change. On April 3, 2023, TCSR kicked off Fair Housing Month with a conversation about changing Unfair Housing to Fair and Equitable Housing.
One America: Lowballed (December 2022)
It’s no secret that homeownership is the pathway to the American Dream, from building a financial security blanket to establishing wealth over generations. But if people’s homes are not valued for what they are worth, then those people are essentially being cheated out of that dream. The data analysis shows that’s happening more often to Black and Latino homeowners and would-be homebuyers than it is for white people. It’s that lost equity that’s keeping families of color from creating generational wealth and contributes to the racial wealth gap that’s been growing for generations in America.
Navigating Issues of Diversity, Fair Housing and Inclusion in Housing (April 13, 2022) Education and Outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) provide an in-depth training on implicit bias and the real estate profession. Learn how our underlying assumptions can shape our interactions with others, how that can impact your business, and how to address it to ensure quality housing opportunities for your buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.
The Power of Diversity: Leading With THEM Not ME (September 13, 2021) A discussion about reframing conversations and shifting mindsets to build new relationships using “open ended” questions and conversation starters that will help them reach broader client bases and audiences.
Montgomery County Partners for Home Ownership (July 21, 2021)
Click here to access the slides from the webinar
Media Fellowship House Homebuyer Assistance Programs (May 4, 2021)
CCIP Homebuyer Assistance Programs (April 29, 2021)
Click here to access CCIP Homebuyer Assistance Programs Presentation
Click here to access the City of Chester Sample Letter to REALTOR®
Click here to access the Delaware County Sample Letter to REALTOR®
Click here to access Housing Quality Standards Inspection Form (HQS)
Grab the Key (March 17, 2021)
The harsh reality is that the dream of owning a home has been kept out of reach of Black Americans for hundreds of years. Oppression through slavery, Jim Crow laws and redlining took away possibility. But those things could never take away the most important piece: Hope. That’s what we’re here to do, revive that hope and remind our community that they have allies in the financial industries. Federal laws allowing discrimination have been repealed. Housing is more within reach than ever before. It’s time for Black families to rise up and realize we have the opportunity and the right to step forward and grab the key.
The Power of Diversity: Personal Reflections on Identity and the Benefits of Inclusion (December 9, 2020) REALTORS® sharing stories of micro-aggression; discrimination; and discovery that differences exist.
HUD Guidance on Service and Support Animals and Use of Criminal Records in Housing (April 21, 2020)
Presented for Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® by Carolyn Steinhofer, intake and outreach coordinator for the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania.