Learn more about the local Texas associations with diversity, equity, and inclusion committees. Each local board answered questions about how its group was formed and advice for other associations. Click on a map pin or the association’s name below to read more about its DEI efforts.
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The Amarillo Association of REALTORS® Diversity Committee supports and engages in programs/activities and initiatives that encourage diversity in member involvement, inclusion and leadership opportunities and promotes and advances fair housing across all demographics.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
Our diversity group was formed in January 2021, so very recently. The members were appointed by the Chairman of the Board and approved by the Board of Directors.
What was the catalyst that started it?
We received encouragement from Texas REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. Their encouragement was a main contributing factor when deciding to start our diversity group. It’s great to think back on how it started now that our diversity committee’s work has officially begun.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
As one of our first DEI initiatives, we contacted many area organizations to find out how we can better serve their needs. We have also applied for an NAR grant to obtain funds to conduct a housing study in the Amarillo area.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
I would recommend you do your research and utilize the resources available at the National Association of REALTORS® and Texas REALTORS®. Like I mentioned above, receiving encouragement from Texas REALTORS® and NAR was a crucial first step, and there are so many existing resources available that can help you make those positive contributions.
The purpose of the Arlington Board of REALTORS® DEI Committee is to educate and engage our members and the communities we serve in ways that encourages awareness and understanding and promotes diversity at ARBOR and involvement in leadership opportunities in real estate programs and activities.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
The DEI Committee, which began meeting in 2021, is ever expanding in structure and contributors. At this time, we have 25 consistent contributors, from various experiential perspectives and demographics. We encourage more members to join and expand the vast perspective influences needed to gain the understanding necessary for proactive change.
What was the catalyst that started it?
In 2020, we all witnessed a national outcry. The Arlington Board of REALTORS®, its members, and our community resonated with this outcry. As a result, we began having open and honest dialogue about how to show up and what needs to take place moving forward. These exchanges prompted a formal open dialogue that is now the DEI Committee, which began still navigating social distancing.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
The DEI Committee will work in collaboration with the National Association of REALTORS®, Texas REALTORS® and other local organizations and associations through education, sponsorship, and communication endeavors to enhance awareness and inclusion across all demographics. We have sought the guidance of Leigh York, who further enhanced our process. Creating a Mission Statement became of great importance, to continue guiding the purpose of this dialogue and the actions that will be birthed in accordance.
The Arlington Board of REALTORS® serves its members and we together serve the community, the community is diverse and deserves equity and inclusion. We will work relentlessly to ensure this as we move forward on our mission.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
In this process, the DEI Committee members have been raw and vulnerable in order to do the hard work paramount in long-term results. We believe healing and change starts with us, we encourage other local associations and members to adopt this belief.
The Austin Board of REALTORS® Diversity Committee is dedicated to coordinating activities related to increasing the overall diversity and inclusiveness of ABoR volunteers and leadership to ensure ABoR is an inclusive organization with programming to meet the needs of its diverse community.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
Our Diversity Committee was formed in 2017. It comprises 18 members including the chair and vice chair, and representation from each of ABoR’s strategic partners:
What was the catalyst that started it?
In 2018, ABoR conducted its first-ever survey on diversity to see what the makeup of our membership looked like. Then, when the Board of Directors adopted ABoR’s strategic plan in December 2018, one of the goals they set for 2019 was to: “Establish baselines, benchmarks, and strategies for increasing diversity among overall volunteer and leadership base of ABoR.” Also during that time, ABoR made a mistake of not thoroughly vetting our publications to reflect diversity, and we needed to grow from the impact of that mistake. Since then, we’ve changed the editorial review process of all publications produced by the ABoR team to ensure we showcase a more diverse reflection of our membership in all facets of the organization. We have been doing good work and making progress on this front along with our identified strategies and tactics, but we know this work is never done.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
The group’s goal is to strengthen leadership and membership participation to mirror the rich diversity and culture of our region. They work to coordinate activities to promote diversity, serve as ambassadors to minority real estate organizations in Central Texas, identify diversity and fair housing education needs and goals, and provide recommendations and programs that increase the diversity and inclusiveness among ABoR volunteers and engaged membership. Each year in September, a written report is provided to our Board of Directors on how the group has achieved these directives to ensure the continuation and consistency of this work over time.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Listen to your membership. Encourage their feedback and voice in everything you do across your organization. And look around the table to make sure you have diverse representation as you solicit that feedback.
Non exhaustive list of ABoR’s DEI resources:
The Collin County Association of REALTORS® Global Diversity Committee fosters an inclusive, diverse environment where members can engage, learn, and embrace one another’s unique culture to better serve their real estate clients and communities.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
The Collin County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) Global Diversity committee was formed in 2019 and is open to anyone who wants to participate—REALTORS® and Affiliates. The committee meets once a month and is led by a chair and vice chair, and staff liaison.
What was the catalyst that started it?
Our leadership saw a need for CCAR to have a group that looked at diversity within the real estate industry and that championed an inclusive, diverse environment. They wanted a committee whose work was aimed at encouraging members to engage, learn, and embrace one another’s unique culture to better serve their real estate clients and communities.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
CCAR’s Global Diversity Committee believes that educational opportunities are the key to tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion. Committee members have participated in a number of initiatives to educate CCAR’s membership and the community about the importance of understanding diversity. In 2019, the committee hosted an event for members entitled “Passport.” During Passport, tables representing several different countries were set up and presented by committee members from that country. Event guests went from table to table learning about the different countries, sampling food from the region, and asking questions. During this event, there was also a presentation from the Collin County Diversity Council.
At the beginning of 2020, CCAR unveiled a series of 26 videos regarding the importance of participating in the U.S. census. Each video features a member of the Global Diversity Committee providing information about the census in their native language—from Albanian to Vietnamese and many other languages in between. CCAR’s members were encouraged to share these videos with their clients, and the videos were made available to North Texas’ city officials, as well. CCAR’s Chief Executive Officer, Mary Leidy, received the Texas REALTORS® 100 Acts of Kindness Award for her idea that inspired the videos, and CCAR was given high praise from the National Association of REALTORS® and area city councils.
During its monthly meetings, the Global Diversity Committee has a section of its agenda in which a committee member discusses aspects of real estate transactions when working with buyers from specific countries or areas of the world. These presentations feature a Q&A session, during which committee members can learn more about how to meet the needs of their clients in the way that makes them the most comfortable.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Ask questions! It all starts by asking questions to learn about other cultures, what areas in the community may be underserved, and how best to meet the needs of those you may be unfamiliar with. By asking questions, you’ll find that there are many people who are genuinely interested in sharing information about their culture, learning more about others, and who want to get involved, make a difference, and bring more understanding to their clients and the communities they serve.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
Our Diversity Committee started in January of 2021. We had several meetings and worked with a Diversity Task Force prior to presenting to our Board of Directors for the final approval. The process took about four months from start to finish.
What was the catalyst that started it?
The current Diversity Committee Chairman heard about this while in the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program (TRLP) in 2020, and with diversity committees being so successful at other associations, we felt bringing one to the Corpus Christi Association of REALTORS® was a great idea. We have true leadership from various ethnic, educational, and other community backgrounds, so it’s time to come together. No one should feel left behind.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
We are working as a committee to reach out to our members by offering courses, including At Home With Diversity, Fairhaven, and speakers. April is National Fair Housing Month, so we offered a series of videos and shared tips from NAR to our membership. We are also looking for local, diverse organizations that would like to partner with us.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Involvement of diverse communities is very important—not only do they feel important, but you learn so much. Always ask for suggestions and comments from your membership so that your committee can provide them with tools, tips, and updates on important and relevant topics.
The Galveston Association of REALTORS®, GAR, represents numerous REALTORS® from diverse backgrounds and communities. The DEI Committee was created to help ensure and reinforce the principles of inclusive collaboration and respect for and among our colleagues and community members. GAR embraces perspectives from all walks of life—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities or impairments, national origin, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation. The committee strives to encourage members to do the same, so that they can serve the community, all while helping clients to achieve their dreams of property ownership.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
At the GAR Board of Directors meeting, June 17, 2020, the directors approved the creation of the President’s Diversity Advisory Group, DAG, and nominated seven members to serve on the committee. It became known at the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, DEI, Committee in the fall of 2021. It currently has one chairman, one vice chairman, and 5 members.
What was the catalyst that started it?
The president and members of the GAR Board were discussing the diversity in the Galveston community. With knowledge and informative articles from NAR and TR, the board felt it was “past time” to have a DAG/DEI committee to help inform and educate our GAR membership about issues dealing with diversity, equity and inclusion.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity and inclusion?
We have a $500 scholarship, awarded four times per year, for individuals pursuing a career in any type of field that involves real estate. The scholarship is for individuals that are part of the populations described in our mission statement.
Our DEI committee recently had a field trip to a Hindu Temple, in Stafford, TX, and was informed about the culture and religion of the Hindu religion.
This summer of 2022, our committee members are encouraged to read a book, Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson, which was a recommended reading selection from NAR.
Our GAR/DEI is promoting Juneteenth celebrations that are being held here locally in Galveston, TX.
We have a FB page for GAR’s DEI Committee. Hopefully, this will become more active in the future.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Educate yourselves and get involved. We want to change the perception and face of real estate professionals in Galveston. You have to make it a priority, not just talk about it, but take action.
The Greater El Paso Association of REALTORS® formed an Equal Opportunity Committee in 2005. The committee is charged with creating education awareness programs, communication of changes in the fair housing laws, and assistance in the implementation of fair housing procedures.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
Our Equal Opportunity Committee was formed about 15 years ago. Our incoming committee chair recruits members to serve on the committee in addition to volunteer interest.
What was the catalyst that started it?
We recognized that a more intentional focus on fair housing was needed.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
The committee’s work guides many of our programs and activities. We made fair housing a central part of our recent virtual education day by hosting Window to the Law: Fair Housing Update. The committee chair actively encourages our membership to take advantage of of the fair housing materials and videos available through NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, and shares these resources through our weekly newsletter and Facebook page.
Our committee and staff also seek guidance from Texas REALTORS® and NAR. Fred Underwood, NAR’s Director of Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, has been a great perspective over the years. We also prioritize education by participating in NAR’s At Home With Diversity, and diversity in real estate courses hosted by Texas REALTORS®. The committee also plans an event in April to commemorate Fair Housing Month.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Meet monthly and include as many committee members as possible. We may think our communities are not affected by the same issues as the rest of the nation, but truth be told, “We are one nation.” By forming committees and working together once a month, we can accomplish our goals of solving issues in the news, events, education, real estate, and politics. We must be united in the cause.
The Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS® Diversity Committee works to increase association participation among diverse REALTOR® members at all levels of association involvement, integrate key stakeholder diversity groups into the life and mission of the association, and expand awareness of the diversity of REALTORS® among consumers and consumer groups.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
Our group was formed as an initiative at our strategic planning session in 2019. It was structured as one of our regular committees. We highlighted its formation to the membership through emails and asked for volunteers. Its membership has grown throughout the year. Our committee leadership are very dedicated volunteers and have worked hard throughout the year to raise the profile of the committee.
What was the catalyst that started it?
While GFWAR has had a history of diverse leadership, including the first African-American president of NAR, Charles McMillan, we are not doing enough as an association to reach out, include and involve the diverse membership of GFWAR. Our then incoming president, Shelby Kimball, recognized this need and the establishment of the committee was one of his top initiatives for 2019.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Committee leadership first recognized the need to raise the profile of the committee and their activities. The committee produced a video encouraging members to participate in the 2020 census, which highlighted the diversity of the membership, including those with different language backgrounds. Following the murder of George Floyd, the committee and our president worked on a statement to the membership to make sure that it addressed the tragedy head-on. The committee also began hosting a series panels addressing diversity, inclusion, and equity.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
It’s important to be willing to have difficult and uncomfortable discussions about the industry and association in order to make progress.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee was informally formed by one of our members, Myssie Cardenas Barajas, at the beginning of 2020 and was approved as a council of our association’s Board of Directors in August of 2020.
What was the catalyst that started it?
In 2019 Myssie Cardenas Barajas was appointed to serve on Texas REALTORS® Diversity Committee. After attending several meetings and speaking with REALTOR® colleagues about the challenges they faced, she approached our board president and CEO about the possibility of adding a Diversity & Inclusion Committee at our association. While there was support for the initiative, there was also some initial concern about the need in our area—our market is diverse and not predominantly white. However, the pandemic and racial unrest happening throughout the country helped encourage our leadership to be proactive and make it a priority. The executive leadership recognized a need to better reflect the community that the association serves.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
We are in the process of acquiring data from local leaders. We have reached out to NAR, Texas REALTORS®, and other local associations to get guidance on moving forward. We are hoping to host a Leadership with Diversity class and host a video conversation with Bill Dedman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who investigates racial discrimination in real estate. We are working on some exciting solutions to bring more minorities into the real estate industry, and we are actively recruiting leaders to serve at the local, state, and national level.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Don’t let the fear of a few vocal members stop you from taking action. Don’t let walls of resistance keep you from taking the next steps. Change is needed, and it will only happen when we push past the resistance and fear.
The Houston Association of REALTORS® formed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in 2020. When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
We formed our Diversity & Inclusion Task Force earlier this summer. It is chaired by Thomas Mouton, who is our current secretary-treasurer, and has HAR EVP Rene Galvan as the staff lead. It comprises members representing diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, and industry experience. It is a small group that is developing the goals and setting the initial priorities.
What was the catalyst that started it?
Several things spurred us on to start the group. Obviously, the murder of George Floyd opened up many people’s eyes to the systemic racism that exists in society as a whole. Both the Newsday investigation in Long Island, and a professor’s research that revealed similar patterns in the Houston area, pointed to the impact of racism in our industry. And, it was time for us to bring all the diversity-related projects and programs we have done in the past together into one integrated strategy.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion requires attention to many topics. We are being very deliberate and intentional in our efforts, and this group is initially focusing on racism. We are taking it slowly and trying to really listen so we can develop long-term ways to make sure our members, consumers, and staff are all treated respectfully and equitably. The task force is identifying priorities for member education, engagement of leaders, and partnership with other industry groups.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Include people representing different viewpoints. Encourage members to share their experiences and learn from each other. Not all members will feel the same way about racism, so it’s important to hear all voices. That being said, know you can’t make everyone happy. Have the resolve to take whatever steps are necessary to further diversity in real estate. Be able to explain how more diversity contributes to a profitable business, a better association, a healthier community, and a better economy.
The MetroTex Association of REALTORS® Diversity Committee explores how businesses and governments respond to diversity issues. The committee also explores multiple housing programs and options in an effort to advance the availability of homeownership. The goal of this committee is to continually educate MetroTex members on how to serve clients and conduct business in an increasingly diverse environment.
The association itself has a diversity mission statement, which states: “We, the members of the MetroTex Association of REALTORS, Inc. recognize diversity as essential to achieving our mission of providing the highest standards of goods and services to our members and to the public in an ethical and professional manner. For us, diversity includes race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, gender, economic status and age, all of which enrich our organization and the real estate industry.”
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
The Diversity Committee was formed in 2010 and has maintained a committee structure of volunteers led by a committee chair and vice chair. The committee meets monthly to discuss opportunities to partner with our local and multicultural associations, industry partners, and more in an effort to provide resources, programs, and services that benefit the entire REALTOR® community.
What was the catalyst that started it?
Recognition that the association has a wonderful collection of individuals from all walks of life. Individuals who represent the true essence of what it means to be “diverse.” MetroTex membership is a unique mix of ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds that are value-adds to the organization.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
At MetroTex, we are tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion by focusing our efforts to build relationships and partnerships with our industry partners, affiliates, and more. Through those relationships we look for ways to educate and equip REALTORS® with the knowledge and resources to better serve homebuyers. We also explore opportunities for community outreach including but not limited to: homebuyer education, placemaking, smart growth, fair housing education, and housing opportunity.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Don’t be afraid to make new friends. It is important that we do not limit our attempts and understand the benefit of working together with organizations that support the real estate industry. As associations, we all have similar missions although we serve different communities, and we must be able to find ways to highlight the strengths and benefits of each association in a way that adds value for members and increases awareness of the goodwill of REALTORS®.
The San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Diversity Committee facilitates activities designed to increase diversity within the real estate profession, volunteer leadership and membership; it identifies general diversity and fair housing education needs in its geographic jurisdictions and develops and promotes the association’s diversity and fair housing goals relative to these jurisdictions; it advocates for changes in the real estate business practices that reflect the growing cultural diversity within Central Texas; it shares diversity knowledge, expertise, analysis, and information with other SABOR committees as appropriate; and it develops and recommends policies and programs calculated to increase the diversity and inclusiveness among SABOR volunteers and engaged membership.
When was your diversity group formed and how is it structured?
The Diversity Committee was formed in 2018 and kicked off in January 2019.
What was the catalyst that started it?
In 2018, SABOR hosted an unconscious bias training in partnership with our local affinity groups. We recognized there was a need to further dissect and discuss the issue, not only for our members, but their clients as well.
How is your group tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion?
This year, SABOR’s Diversity Committee formed four task groups. Those groups focus on: 1) influence in the community; 2) diversity within our board; 3) diversity and fair housing; and 4) techniques for diverse REALTORS® members to work together. These task groups worked on several items throughout the year, such as:
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other local associations or members who want to make positive contributions to further diversity in real estate?
Diversity and inclusion in real estate begins with an open and honest conversation. The subject can mean different things to different people, however understanding their needs and striving to achieve them is the goal. Giving everyone a chance to have a seat at the table, then pulling up a chair for your fellow member is key. This is work that will never end and will forever evolve.