Real (Estate) Talk: The Road to Reparations, FINALLY!

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Road to Reparations, FINALLY: How one city is leading the charge to repair the past. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>As featured in my monthly race and real estate column in <a href="https://www.inman.com/2021/03/31/real-estate-talk-how-one-city-is-leading-the-charge-to-repair-the-past/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Inman News</span></a>. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine looking both ways before crossing the street at a pedestrian crosswalk. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLHkqGqt9jM/YFj0oSALDII/AAAAAAAAbrc/kIlZ-oKY6wICJfqoRpuZNvzs9Sfh7icrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/road-166543_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLHkqGqt9jM/YFj0oSALDII/AAAAAAAAbrc/kIlZ-oKY6wICJfqoRpuZNvzs9Sfh7icrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/road-166543_1280.jpg" width="320"></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></span><span></span></div>

anti-racist real estate pro, real talk, reparations

Real (Estate) Talk: The Road to Reparations, FINALLY!

The Road to Reparations, FINALLY: How one city is leading the charge to repair the past. As featured in my monthly race and real estate colu...

Ready to make fair housing your superpower? Here's one organization that can help

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HeJQm6v4ns/YF4Zk8LmF2I/AAAAAAAAbro/YQZlrWLsjsodqtGq3vSaoAvGB1s6pXUXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/floor-plan-1474454_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1280" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HeJQm6v4ns/YF4Zk8LmF2I/AAAAAAAAbro/YQZlrWLsjsodqtGq3vSaoAvGB1s6pXUXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/floor-plan-1474454_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fair Housing is not just for National Fair Housing Month in April. Fair housing and those who face denial of fair housing need our concerted efforts 365/24/7 -- frankly, it needs to be our superpower. Yet, as I speak to brokers and agents throughout the United States, many of us are at a loss for constructive, ongoing activism that promotes fair housing <b><i>AND</i></b> seeks to right wrongs when fair housing has been violated.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>There's a new movement growing</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://nmrrs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Redress Project: The New Movement to Redress Racial Segregation (NMRRS)</span></a> is a campaign focused on local organizing and citizen activism. In short, the NMRRS is a coalition of ordinary citizens taking extraordinary, direct action to redress racial segregation a.k.a. helping those that have been denied fair housing, be made as whole as possible. It is the brainchild of Richard Rothstein (author of Color of Law) but it is not just him at work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Who's already in?</span></b></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is no fly-by-night crew. The steering committee for NMRRS includes:</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; font-size: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Michael Ansara: retired, formerly exec dir, Mass Fair Share</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Janell Byrd-Chichester: Director of NAACP-LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Maria Echaveste: President and CEO of the Opportunity Institute</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Debra Gore-Mann: President and CEO of the Greenlining Institute</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rev. Amy Laura Hall: Professor, Duke University Divinity School</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Damon Hewitt: Exec. Dir., Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jeffrey Hicks: REALTOR®, past pres., Natl Assoc of Real Estate Brokers</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Cashauna Hill: Exec Dir, Louisiana Fair Hsg Cntr; and Board, Natl Fair Hsg Alliance</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Olati Johnson: Prof, Columbia U. Law Sch; Chair, Pov & Race Research Action Council</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Betsy Julian: retired, Founding Pres., Inclusive Communities Project of Dallas</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Amanda Lankerd: CEO, Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Noerena Limon: Policy Dir., Natl Assoc of Hispanic Real Estate Brokers</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tiffany Manuel: "The Case Made"; formerly, VP, Enterprise Community Partners</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Josie Mooney: Organizing Director, Service Employees Intl Union Local 1021</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Kori Peragine: Senior Admin, Inclusive Communities Prog; Milwaukee Fair Hsg Cncl</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Natosha Reid Rice: V.P., Habitat for Humanity Intl; Minister, All Saints Episc Ch., Atlanta</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mary Richardson-Lowry: Vice Chair, Chicago Community Trust</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Richard Rothstein: retired, author of The Color of Law</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Nureed Saeed: Owner, NU Interiors</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Ted Shaw: Frmr Pres., NAACP-LDF; Dir., Cntr for Civil Rights, U. of N. Carolina</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Phil Tegeler: Executive Director, Poverty and Race Research Action Council</span></li></div><div><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sarah Watson: Associate Counsel, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights</span></li></div></blockquote><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">What is NMRRS doing to further fair housing and why should this matter to real estate professionals?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GA95iUy_Cho" width="320" youtube-src-id="GA95iUy_Cho"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span>As a summary from the video, the NMRRS will broadly have </span><span>campaigns to: </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• Improve the resources of low-income segregated neighborhoods,</span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• Resist massive displacement from uncontrolled gentrification, </span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• Create housing opportunities for economically and racially diverse populations in segregated white neighborhoods, and </span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• Stabilize desegregation in neighborhoods where it exists (control suburban white flight).</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Specific examples of these initiatives as discussed in the video include:</b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">+ Advocating for property tax assessment equity and refunds in inequitable instances, </span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">+ Pushing for a self-auditing body for real estate professionals, </span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">+ Campaigning to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">create a more equitable neighborhood rating system </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #3c4043;">that moves beyond school test scores, which have been proven to be </span><a href="https://cepa.stanford.edu/content/collective-racial-bias-and-black-white-test-score-gap" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">racially biased</span></a><span style="color: #3c4043;">,</span></span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">+ Increasing creation of downpayment grants from institutions that have historically participated in real estate inequity and segregation (including realty firms, banks, law offices, </span></span> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">developers, and municipalities),</span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; white-space: pre-wrap;">+ And much more.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">What Can You Do to Make Fair Housing Your Superpower?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have been wondering how you, your office, and even the clubs that you belong to can take concrete steps to ensure housing is realized as fair for all and redress instances of subpar treatment, then I encourage you to join the mailing list for the <a href="https://nmrrs.wordpress.com/#" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NMRRS</span></a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, if you are looking for a good cause to donate to during Fair Housing month (and beyond), the NMRRS needs your donations of $1000.00 and more so please gather those in your offices and associations to support this needed new movement</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (</span><a href="https://nmrrs.wordpress.com/#" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">click here to donate</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">). How </span><span>amazing it would be if we, real estate professionals, could help the NMRRS reach their 2021 funding goal of $500,000 before April/Fair Housing Month ends!</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Plus, are you virtually attending the <a href="https://housingsolutionsummit.com/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Housing Solution Summit</span></a> in May where Richard Rothstein and <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://www.nar.realtor/bryan-greene">Bryan Greene (of NAR</a>)</span> will speak? This summit has no fee options and will discuss more solutions to make homeownership equitable if this topic is "up your lane".</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sound off -</b> I would love to hear from you!  Give me a shout on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LearnWithDrLee" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://instagram.com/learnwithdrlee" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/leedavenport8?sub_confirmation=1" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YouTube</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or by visiting </span><a href="http://www.learnwithdrlee.com/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LearnWithDrLee.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.  </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Download today your complimentary (aka NO FEE but for a limited time so hurry) copy of my new book, <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/luem6y7zox" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></b></a>. </span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Want more tips </b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">from fellow real estate pros (like Leigh Brown, Kim Hayden, and Sarah Johnston to name just a few) to help you become even more resilient in real estate?</span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grab our new book, </span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Resilient Real Estate Women</b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">, by </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B00WTAE5L4" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">clicking here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want more of the best practices of our nation's top producers? Grab your copy of the short read, <b><span><a href="http://www.learnwithlee.realtor/p/resources.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Profit with Your Personality</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and, the classic, 5-star rated workbook, </span><a href="http://amzn.com/1508652325" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plan to Win</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to transform their real estate sales game plan. Or, get your "training on" with these <a href="http://vimeo.com/ondemand/learnwithdrlee" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">on-demand classes</span></b></a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's to your success! </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">#LearnWithDrLee</span></div></div>

fair housing, nmrrs

Ready to make fair housing your superpower? Here's one organization that can help

Fair Housing is not just for National Fair Housing Month in April. Fair housing and those who face denial of fair housing need our concerted...

Real (Estate) Talk: How one firm is making Dr. King’s dream a reality

<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An excerpt from the book, <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/luem6y7zox" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></a> and as featured in <a href="https://www.inman.com/2021/03/24/real-estate-talk-how-one-firm-is-making-dr-kings-dream-a-reality/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Inman News</span></a>.  </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I love pizza (even though now I try to get healthier toppings and crust). But the problem is if there is only one slice for two hungry adults, either someone will go without or both people will still be hungry if they share it (unless, perhaps, it is a giant New York slice).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This may be how some of us view justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I.) -- as a zero-sum game where there is only one piece of a pizza pie that either we have to share (leaving neither of us satisfied) or one of us goes without enjoying (allowing only one at a time to be satisfied). </span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>It's the Seven-Layer Salad for Me</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But as much as I love pizza pies, there is a more comparable metaphor for J.E.D.I. I believe J.E.D.I. is more like having a delightfully layered, cornucopia salad*. Just one or two ingredients in a salad can be dreadfully boring although it may get the job done of quenching our hunger. But we can up our satiety with more ingredients where a side salad can actually become a sought-after entree (looking at you, Auntie, and your seven-layer salad, <i>yum!</i>). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>J.E.D.I. is the filling dish to greater satisfaction for all. </span><a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/why-diversity-matters#" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Modern research confirms</span></a><span> diversity promotes and correlates with business success rather than scarcity. And, one real estate company is pushing to make this a reality through its mentorship program.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xb0nIpsNmI/YArxr7zO5DI/AAAAAAAAbdQ/xadUXb-t0rsFYVHdxCO35cpKRnhXVToeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1742/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B10.39.11%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1742" height="490" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xb0nIpsNmI/YArxr7zO5DI/AAAAAAAAbdQ/xadUXb-t0rsFYVHdxCO35cpKRnhXVToeACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h490/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B10.39.11%2BAM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Within the last year and in light of the tragic murder of George Floyd, <a href="https://www.dreamtown.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Dream Town Realty</span></a> started the <b>InspiRE</b> (see what they did there with the 'RE', giving a nod to real estate?) <b>mentorship program</b>. Conceptualized and developed by Dream Town Realty's founder and CEO, Yuval Degani,  <a href="https://www.dreamtown.com/mentorship" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">the InspiRE mentorship program</span></a> mentors aspiring real estate pros from underrepresented communities. By the way, <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/diversity-of-realtor%C2%AE-members?g=173096" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">86% of REALTORS® are white</span></a> despite people of color winning access to the organization during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s after decades of explicit exclusion and segregation. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">J.E.D.I. doesn't say, "Let's have a battle royale for a limited number of slots to be REALTORS®" like the pizza pie analogy would require. Instead, J.E.D.I. says, "The more the merrier! And, because these underrepresented groups (there is only 14% BIPOC) may not have REALTORS® naturally proximate to them to help them learn the ropes, let's add to the salad ingredients that replace what has been missing". In essence, there is no subtraction or division but rather a duplication.  </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">At Dream Town Realty, the admitted mentees are paired with seasoned RE brokers and the mentees' fees for both pre-license education and the state exam in Illinois are covered through the program. Someone pinch me because I must be dreaming... oh wait, maybe that is why it is called Dream Town Realty. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Equitable Access and Opportunity</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>April is Fair Housing Month. In light of the anniversary of the original Fair Housing Act being enacted, which was spurred by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968, I am reminded of Dr. King's words, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  These words do not signify a quest for a colorblind society, where the inequities caused by racism are ignored, minimized, silenced, and dismissed. That has been a false interpretation and misapplication of this famous speech. Instead, these words -- as evidenced by the context of Dr. King's life -- call for a society where opportunity and access are granted to all races even those among the margins. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Dream Town Realty is making Dr.  King's dream a reality. </span><span>Interested in how your firm can do something similar or if perhaps you should apply for this mentorship? Check out my chat with the Dream Town Realty InspiRE mentorship program team:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUBfrqneueo" width="320" youtube-src-id="eUBfrqneueo"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Who's Who in the video:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">+ Founder & CEO, Dream Town Realty -- Yuval Degani</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">+ VP of Administration & Human Resources -- Claire Reinhart</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>+ Dream Town's InspiRE mentorship 2021 program </span><span>cohort participant</span><span> -- Kyle Barbour</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">+ Dream Town's InspiRE mentorship 2020 inaugural class graduates -- Danny Torres and Milly Ortiz</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DP0ohaxjic/X_SSJm3mJvI/AAAAAAAAbZc/3Q1bnjkO8AsvKpHJ1XI3uRX43TweZ6UxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-01-04%2Bat%2B5.13.37%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DP0ohaxjic/X_SSJm3mJvI/AAAAAAAAbZc/3Q1bnjkO8AsvKpHJ1XI3uRX43TweZ6UxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-01-04%2Bat%2B5.13.37%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Milly Ortiz of Dream Town Realty with her mentor (taken during her training).</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Program Highlights:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The Dream Town Realty InspiRE mentorship program is a 6-week commitment for 6–8 hours per week. Dream Town will pay for the state licensing exam fees, and the 15-hour pre-license course will be provided through the Real Estate Institute. Dream Town will provide training for mentees, explaining processes and crucial administrative functions. Mentees will shadow their mentor across all business functions—showings, client meetings, marketing meetings, and more. Mentees will gain hands-on experience with behind the scenes tasks, such as entering new listings and creating marketing collateral.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Applications are always open on a rolling basis for the Dream Town Realty InspiRE mentorship program. Apply at <a href="www.DreamTown.com/mentorship " target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">www.DreamTown.com/mentorship</span></a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Want a 2021 primer into race and real estate in the U.S.? Grab the complimentary ebook, </span><b>How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</b><span> (<a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/luem6y7zox" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">click here</span></a>)</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>*Note -- Today Years Old: After reading this draft, my mom just told me that she remembers seeing an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show back in the 1990s with Jane Elliott (https://youtu.be/ebPoSMULI5U). On that show, Jane Elliott referenced the importance of using a salad analogy instead of a melting pot. I had no clue but I love that my line of thinking matches such a J.E.D.I. (justice, equity,  diversity & inclusion) trailblazer.<div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sound off -</b> I would love to hear from you!  Give me a shout on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LearnWithDrLee" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://instagram.com/learnwithdrlee" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/leedavenport8?sub_confirmation=1" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YouTube</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or by visiting </span><a href="http://www.learnwithdrlee.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LearnWithDrLee.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want more of the best practices of our nation's top producers? Grab your copy of the short read, <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.learnwithlee.realtor/p/resources.html" target="_blank">Profit with Your Personality</a> </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and, the classic, 5-star rated workbook, </span><a href="http://amzn.com/1508652325" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plan to Win</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to transform their real estate sales game plan. Or, get your "training on" with these <a href="http://vimeo.com/ondemand/learnwithdrlee" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">on-demand classes</span></b></a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's to your success! #LearnWithDrLee</span></span>

Real (Estate) Talk: How one firm is making Dr. King’s dream a reality

An excerpt from the book, How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro  and as featured in Inman News .   I love pizza (even though now I try to...

Law of Goal Getters: T.A.P. into Your Value

<div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;">Excerpt from the new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B00WTAE5L4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Resilient Real Estate Women.</span></a></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;">  </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B00WTAE5L4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q5l9jFQWY0/YFjcGQXLXnI/AAAAAAAAbrI/YeWMNxOwiiQqCO9U85CIK6ZfcEJ-hw8cACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;">  </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a scientist at heart in a REALTOR’s® body, I love to research, examine and discover why things work (or do not), especially for the agents that I coach. Furthermore, as a real estate coach and educator for over a decade, I have found one of the sure-fire ways for my sales agents to succeed in goal achievement is to be able to relentlessly not compromise on what they are worth.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes. I am referring to handling objections when it comes to your commission.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">But no, I do not mean being a money bully or someone that gives off the slick, shyster, ‘used car salesmen’ vibes where you pull a fast one on a client, where she is left feeling like she just signed over her first-born. I also do not mean we handle objections like the half comical, half reprehensible 1990s pharmaceutical drug commercials that tout all of the benefits with bells and whistles but in your best fast talking auctioneer imitation, you breeze past all concerning conditions.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a far more authentic and powerful strategy that works every time it is put into action fully. How do I know? I have had agents from places like Omaha to Singapore to the Caribbeans to San Francisco tell me how this principle works so well that not only do their prospects not question their commission but the prospects profess that the agent deserves more. MORE!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Specifically and notably, I even had a rookie Dallas agent share with me how her boyfriend wanted her to discount her commission for him. (Are you rolling your eyes too because he should know better?) I am sure many of you that have been in real estate sales for at least a couple of years can relate to family and friends (heck, even ‘frenemies’) wanting a steal and a deal when it comes to working with you. This newer Dallas agent used my principle below and her boyfriend wholeheartedly apologized. Then, to her surprise, he did a one-hundred and eighty-degree turn and became her commission advocate with their other friends and family members who would become her clients.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wow!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">That needs to be recapped:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><ol class="ol1" style="color: black; white-space: normal;"><li class="li1" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">+ Agent used the principle below to quantify her value,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></li><li class="li1" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">+ Boyfriend paid full commission and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></li><li class="li1" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">+ Boyfriend became her pro bono marketer without being asked.</span></li></ol><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of these consistent results, I dare call this principle a law.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I call this law, ’T.A.P. into Your Value’ because again we are quantifying why we belong in real estate spaces without for even a second diminishing our worth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a caveat, if you are new to real estate sales (what I consider two years or less), then you may need help doing the exercises and that is okay. Searching the internet, connecting with your broker or another local agent that has time to help is welcomed so that you can complete all of the columns. Just anticipate that as you come into your own stride in the real estate industry, you will want to update this assignment so that it accurately reflects how you serve clients in real estate.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; white-space: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The ’T’ stands for task.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are in an industry that has thirty-minute television shows sum up our work. ‘Yay’ for the exposure but ‘boo’ for the editing that cuts a process that may have taken weeks or months down to approximately twenty-two minutes. It is no wonder that those new to the real estate sales process give us as sales professionals the side-eye when the first day they contact us they do not miraculously get the keys to their new dream home.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Real estate shows can definitely poison prospects' minds but guess whose job it is to correct any misinformation? You got — it is ours.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>That is where the ’T’ of ’T.A.P. into Your Value’ principle kicks in to play.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>For this item, please list every single task that you do for your clients. This is our opportunity to set the record straight on our terms. I would recommend creating separate lists based on buyers, sellers, landlords, and/or tenants. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">This list is not for the faint at heart because the top producers I work with (those with an annual sales volume of $20 Million or more) typically have a list of three hundred or more tasks they perform for clients. That probably sounds overwhelming and it is supposed to be.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>That is the power in this list because clients get to see that you actually do work overwhelmingly so, go figure. Newer agents, I want to challenge you to still create a list of at least fifty to one hundred tasks but the more the merrier here.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep in mind this is a one-and-done assignment.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Once you have it, you simply update things here and there.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to list and not describe, which gives your ‘secret sauce’ away. For example, it is one thing to list: ‘Market on social media’. It’s another to give your full strategy on Facebook because then they will not need you since you gave away all the details.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Put this in one column (but you will have a total of three for each letter of the acronym ’T.A.P.’) and then total the number of tasks listed at the bottom.</span></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The ‘A’ stands for agenda.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or, you can think of this second column as the time it would take for someone to complete each of the tasks you just listed. This someone should not be a real estate professional like us, who has aids and resources to help. Instead, calculate the time it takes for ‘Joe Blow’ client, who does another profession for a living.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">For instance, one task might be: ‘Acquire the property legal description’. For us as professionals, that may take all of five minutes to fire off an email to our preferred closing agent/attorney.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Do not list that time. However, ‘Joe Blow’ who again does not do this for a living may take several hours searching online for a suitable, affordable closing attorney/title agent and sending out feelers. List that in this column. It may help to have a friend who is not a real estate professional try to do each of the tasks you already listed in column one to give you accurate estimates.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Total the number of hours for this column too.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Again, the total number of hours should be jaw-dropping.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>You are quantifying in writing that all of your efforts do not amount to just twenty-two minutes like on TV.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The ‘P’ stands for price.</span></b></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The client here gets to see the real cost of what you do if you do not (nor your company) have the vendor relationships and partnerships to default to using. Going back to our example with the task ‘Acquire the property legal description’, for you as a professional with a preferred list of closers, this is likely free. Do not list that. Instead, list the cost that ‘Joe Blow’ would pay without a professional connection — likely the closing attorney’s customary hourly rate, which could get into the hundreds, <i>egad</i>!</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">After you list the full prices for each task that non-professionals can expect and do pay, then total this column too.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Many agents find that this equals more than their typical commission, which is when they are able to negotiate higher commission rates with the client in full agreement.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, take this finished document and give it some pizazz. The top producers I work with have these three columns professionally printed one time into a booklet. We do not give this book to clients to keep (remember, do not give away the secret sauce) but to solely review while in your presence. The details in the stylish printing make it less likely the client expects to keep it.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>If you have just a boring printout on regular white paper from your computer, prospects will probably accidentally stuff it in their purses because it just seems like an ordinary handout so jazz it up.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the T.A.P. into Your Value principle, not only have I seen prospects understand an agent’s value but more importantly, the agent, stands taller and prouder, having this visual document to solidify and memorialize all of her hard work.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Newer agents gain confidence and veteran agents no longer feel intimidation from someone trying to strong-arm them into not receiving what they are worth. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I challenge you to T.A.P. into Your Value this week (while this is still fresh and you have momentum). Take the time to complete each column and watch not only your resiliency grow but your place in the real estate arena expand. Here’s to your success!</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; white-space: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7jk8oWyBmI/YFjd4rSQMnI/AAAAAAAAbrU/kAIL8HI3a8QaWIz2Ya-YPvhEDtf1nMaeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TapIntoYourValueEasilgemhousingacct.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7jk8oWyBmI/YFjd4rSQMnI/AAAAAAAAbrU/kAIL8HI3a8QaWIz2Ya-YPvhEDtf1nMaeACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/TapIntoYourValueEasilgemhousingacct.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Want more tips </b>from fellow real estate pros (like Leigh Brown, Kim Hayden, and Sarah Johnston to name just a few) to help you become even more resilient in real estate?<b> </b>Grab our new book, <b>Resilient Real Estate Women</b>, by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B00WTAE5L4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">clicking here</span></a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sound off -</b> I would love to hear from you!  Give me a shout on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LearnWithDrLee" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://instagram.com/learnwithdrlee" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/leedavenport8?sub_confirmation=1" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YouTube</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or by visiting </span><a href="http://www.learnwithdrlee.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LearnWithDrLee.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Download today your complimentary (aka NO FEE but for a limited time so hurry) copy of my new book, <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/luem6y7zox" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></b></a>. </span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want more of the best practices of our nation's top producers? Grab your copy of the short read, <b><span><a href="http://www.learnwithlee.realtor/p/resources.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Profit with Your Personality</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and, the classic, 5-star rated workbook, </span><a href="http://amzn.com/1508652325" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plan to Win</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to transform their real estate sales game plan. Or, get your "training on" with these <a href="http://vimeo.com/ondemand/learnwithdrlee" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">on-demand classes</span></b></a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's to your success! #LearnWithDrLee</span></div>

Law of Goal Getters: T.A.P. into Your Value

Excerpt from the new book, Resilient Real Estate Women.       As a scientist at heart in a REALTOR’s® body, I love to research, examine and ...

Working Towards Equitable + Inclusive Housing in 2021 and Beyond (University Talk)

<div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1W2SAqUvbTM/YEpli5YrdEI/AAAAAAAAbpw/_gQVOa4VxYg0pZDxeYYZNUEyf2GykL4ugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/real-estate-2081571_1280.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1W2SAqUvbTM/YEpli5YrdEI/AAAAAAAAbpw/_gQVOa4VxYg0pZDxeYYZNUEyf2GykL4ugCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/real-estate-2081571_1280.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Where we live is a critical determining factor of the resources (including medical, academic, and nutritional) to which we and our families have access. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, there are "spoiled and distasteful leftovers" from the race-based exclusionary practices of the twentieth century that today still undermine an equitable and inclusive housing market. There is work to be done in 2021 and beyond to make housing more equitable and inclusive for all. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In this talk for the graduate students of Portland State University, I share three tools that every <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yi5dxzq5tz" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></a> should leverage starting today.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ready to work (along with your firm and your association) for improved housing equity and inclusion? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please watch the video below if you are already a subscriber</b> (or <i>if you are not a subscriber</i>, please visit this link: <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/522471987" style="background-color: #fcff01;">https://vimeo.com/522471987</a></span>).</span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/522471987" width="640"></iframe> </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sound off -</b> I would love to hear from you!  Give me a shout on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LearnWithDrLee" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://instagram.com/learnwithdrlee" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/leedavenport8?sub_confirmation=1" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YouTube</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or by visiting </span><a href="http://www.learnwithdrlee.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LearnWithDrLee.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Download today your complimentary (aka NO FEE but for a limited time so hurry) copy of my new book, <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/luem6y7zox" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></b></a>. </span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want more of the best practices of our nation's top producers? Grab your copy of the short read, <b><span><a href="http://www.learnwithlee.realtor/p/resources.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Profit with Your Personality</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and, the classic, 5-star rated workbook, </span><a href="http://amzn.com/1508652325" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plan to Win</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to transform their real estate sales game plan. Or, get your "training on" with these <a href="http://vimeo.com/ondemand/learnwithdrlee" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">on-demand classes</span></b></a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's to your success! #LearnWithDrLee</span></div></div></div>

anti-racist real estate pro, reparations

Working Towards Equitable + Inclusive Housing in 2021 and Beyond (University Talk)

Where we live is a critical determining factor of the resources (including medical, academic, and nutritional) to which we and our families ...

Real (Estate) Talk: What is Diversity Without Inclusion, Equity, or Justice? "Sit Still and Make Us Look Pretty"

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Excerpt from <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yi5dxzq5tz" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></a> and featured in my monthly Inman News column on Race and Real Estate as <a href="https://www.inman.com/2021/02/25/real-estate-talk-what-is-diversity-without-inclusion-equity-or-justice/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Part 1</span></a> and <a href="https://www.inman.com/2021/02/25/real-estate-talk-how-to-push-for-accountability-in-our-associations/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Part 2</span></a>. </b> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After George Floyd's recorded and televised murder, I (like many) was appalled, devastated, and disillusioned. However, after a few months, I got wind that my area's local association -- the Atlanta REALTORS® Association -- had started a Diversity & Inclusion Council. <i>Wow!</i> I had this warm feeling that this moment would be perhaps <a href="https://www.insightintodiversity.com/stacey-abrams-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">another historic turning point in the South</span></a>, particularly among REALTORS®. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, we know that social diversification (really all forms of change) can be uncomfortable in the early stages. But, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">cognitive performance, innovation,</span></a> and </span><a href="https://hbr.org/2016/09/diverse-teams-feel-less-comfortable-and-thats-why-they-perform-better" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">bottom-lines improve</span></a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the long-run so diversity is not the dirty word some think. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A true culture of diversity really can be the <i>gravy train</i> with the right recipe. But a culture of diversity does not stand alone. It is actually a composite of several essential ingredients. Like your favorite recipe, if something is missing from the diversity recipe, you start to see everyone frowning and pushing away from the table in disgust.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plus, this association is in a </span><a href="https://datausa.io/profile/geo/atlanta-ga#demographics" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">community where the demographics in the majority</span></a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC)) are not proportionally represented in this association's leadership, making a call for diversity long overdue.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Words of <strike>the Day</strike> Our Lifetime </b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before continuing this story, let's define some key terms according to my book learnings from the <a href="https://alumni.umich.edu/education-gateway/courses/leading-diverse-teams-organizations/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">University of Michigan</span></a> (<i>Go Blue! Hail Yes!</i>). Notably, these terms are in order of importance and effectiveness in creating a culture of diversity that is not sheer pandemonium:</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>1. <a href="https://youtu.be/hiiEeMN7vbQ" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Growth Mindset</span></a> -- </b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>yes, we get better with time like fine wine here a.k.a. when we transform the meaning of effort and difficulty, people can learn and improve here.</i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>2. </b></i></span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://youtu.be/2g88Ju6nkcg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Inclusion</span></a> -- yes, we are all one of the 'cool kids' here a.k.a. people feel a sense of belonging AND can express themselves here.</b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify;"></div></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>3. Diversity -- yes, our doors are open and glass ceilings don't exist here a.k.a. any difference that can make a difference is welcomed here </b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, educational attainment, tertiary institution, professional expertise, tenure, age, disability and health status, sexual orientation, family status, career and parental status, employment status (full time, part-time, flexible working), immigration status, faith, veteran status, English proficiency, languages spoken, etc</i></b></span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>.</b></i></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>4. <a href="https://youtu.be/HoDmEH47X0s" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Equity</span></a> -- yes, each person can eat as much or as little as needed from our 'buffet' a.k.a. fairness and justice in structures and systems.</b></i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Importantly, notice that diversity is most effective as an organizational objective after a mindset shift from fixed (<i>nothing will change; 'old dogs' can't learn new tricks, why bother?</i>) to growth (<i>we get better with time like a fine wine</i>) has occurred</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Diversity also comes after there is a genuine cultural transformation of belonging that prioritizes everyone being seen and heard as one's authentic self (instead of conformity for the sake of uniformity). In short, diversity before inclusion says, <i>Let the revolving door commence</i> and get ready for a sky-high turnover rate of dynamic members.  </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Last but not least, equity is the anchor of this relay team or the icing on the cake (to stay with my recipe analogy). A willingness to grow, the inclusion of all voices, and a diversity of experiences, identities, and views are prerequisites to catching areas that are lopsided in order to faithfully maximize institutional equity (fairness and justice). It takes this full recipe for diversity to stop being a seemingly ill-advised, dirty word that instead our group's embrace, eat, and hopefully crave seconds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyJkhiGcN70/YCLnJGWrlTI/AAAAAAAAbjU/6YNOm_AcGokblXpStmEptHxh5ftbqqQxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Inverted%2BPyramid%2BOrganizational%2BChart%2B%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyJkhiGcN70/YCLnJGWrlTI/AAAAAAAAbjU/6YNOm_AcGokblXpStmEptHxh5ftbqqQxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Inverted%2BPyramid%2BOrganizational%2BChart%2B%25282%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Since this order of lifelong key terms is vital, see if you can catch where it is lacking in the ensuing story.</b></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How It Started</b></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the first two meetings, I excitedly signed into Zoom ready to meet with this newly minted council. This diverse group consisted of real estate pros with professional-level experience in and passion for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I.) work. <i>Yes!,</i> I secretly cheered to myself because it felt like a new day was indeed dawning. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During the initial meetings, I noticed that <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yi5dxzq5tz" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">psychological safety</span></a> was lacking due to the tone and <i>power over</i> stance that was taken by some. Conventional wisdom affirms that with a team of volunteers, <i>you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar</i> as my fellow Southerners will coo. Thus, expressing <i>power with</i> in an emotionally intelligent way is critical to maintaining the momentum volunteers crave and thrive from when engaged. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Which of our key terms was lacking or out of order?</i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <div class="powr-poll" id="c24af5c4_1612709486"></div><script src="https://www.powr.io/powr.js?platform=html"></script> <br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being the type of person I am, I spoke up outside of the meeting to not add any further injury to the group's enthusiasm. I was heard by the association's staff and the council chair. <i>Yes!</i> A good faith showing that the quest for belonging and expressing ourselves (inclusion) and fairness (equity) was likely legit.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How It's Going</b></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Cue horror movie music</i>. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This month, at the start of Black History Month (which for me meant my hopes were soaring high), the council met again. </span>This time the meeting had more than those that had self-proclaimed a commitment to J.E.D.I. work. This time the meeting included representatives (mostly the vice-chairs, mostly men, and mostly white) from other committees, that did not explicitly share nor deny their enthusiasm with J.E.D.I. efforts. Rather, they shared their attendance was a new responsibility to sit in on this council. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is important to note here that J.E.D.I. work is most effective -- creating the desired, productive climate -- when it is compelling, </span></span><a href="https://hbr.org/2016/07/why-diversity-programs-fail" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">not mandatory</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I am sure you can likely relate. How do you feel and what are the results when you want to do something versus when you are being told to do it (<i>voluntold</i> is what we call it in the non-profit sector)?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> The latter scenario usually does not go as well as the former. </span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cue horror movie music getting louder</i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">During this Zoom video meeting, genuine concerns were raised surrounding how the association would implement J.E.D.I. initiatives. For example, a point was raised on how saying a Christian prayer at the start of meetings excludes those of other faiths. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">After about 30 - 40 minutes of dialogue, one of the new attendees interjected. <i>How do we know that this is even an issue?</i> expressed <a href="https://youtu.be/rR5zDIjUrfk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">the white male</span></a> regarding diversity and inclusion. Of the other new attendees present, there were several head nods and <i>mmm-hmmms</i> that I noticed. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Did you notice the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/health/racial-microaggressions-examples-responses-wellness/index.html," target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">metacommunication</span></a>? Which of our key terms was lacking or out of order?</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <div class="powr-poll" id="c24af5c4_1612709486"></div><script src="https://www.powr.io/powr.js?platform=html"></script> <br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let's pause for the cause. Have you ever poured your heart out and shared an experience that either happened to you or someone you know only to have the person that you thought was listening say, <i>Huh? What did you say?</i> How did that make you feel?</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That feeling describes how this meeting at that moment felt to me. It would have been one thing to inquire about the state of the association at the start of our group discussion before anyone had shared their experiences. But to hear the concerns of differing religions, races, <a href="https://hbr.org/2021/02/male-allyship-is-about-paying-attention?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">genders</span></a>, and sexual orientations for 30 - 40 minutes and then ask if there is even a problem, undermines our earlier definitions of a growth mindset, diversity, equity, and inclusion. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is how this metacommunication can be narrated: </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This new attendee’s question -- even if unintentionally -- ignored and erased each of the voices that just spoke for 30 - 40 minutes, rendering them invisible. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This new attendee's question revealed he was (is) having a different experience than others and was unable to empathetically step into their shoes after 30 - 40 minutes of dialogue. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This new attendee's question felt dismissive to both the experiences and needs of the council members and the members within this local association for whom the council members were speaking on behalf for 30 - 40 minutes. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This new attendee's question ultimately revealed a life of not having to consciously navigate all of the aforementioned challenges; and, thereby, not having to live a life consumed with their implications or finding methods to mitigate them like those that spoke for 30 - 40 minutes. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All-in-all, this new attendee’s question embodied a living, breathing, real-time example of why this particular local association is not yet (it still can be) a beacon of belonging and why robust J.E.D.I. work is essential.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">To add fuel to this inferno, this association had previously conducted membership focus groups, surveying those that did not feel a sense of belonging among this local association. This information is also available, making such a question -- again, with anecdotes AND research data accessible -- feel like a slap in the face of diversity and inclusion, which this council was designed to champion -- it is literally in the name. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Conversely, how can our association leadership (and perhaps in your case, your realty firm) begin to be J.E.D.I. meta-communicators?</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><blockquote><i style="font-weight: bold;">Growing in diversity and inclusion means that you learn to listen to what people have to say, that are different from you, with the filter, ‘They are speaking from an experience and perspective that is not my own.’ </i>--Terence Lester, Diversity Scholar and Minister</blockquote></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">In spite of all of that, as a trained J.E.D.I. worker, I wanted to tap into my empathy muscles for the new attendees: I understand how if you are currently happily in love, you don't quite get what's going on with those that are not experiencing the same degree of euphoric <i>amore</i>. So I bit the bait. I spoke up and, due to a lack of time, shared just one diminishing and exclusionary experience that I personally had as a Black person and as a woman during one of my times as a committee chair within this particular association. This was at the end of the meeting. I received a few direct messages in the Zoom chat from the original members thanking me for being vulnerable. Then, it was time to hop off. I felt heard but perhaps not empathetically understood based on the number of furrowed brows of some of the new attendees.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Two days later, I heard from the council's chair, a Black woman that had been award by this association just weeks before the Five Star Circle of Service Award (one of its highest honors to bestow). She shared that she had decided to step down (<i>cue the revolving door</i>). <i>What? Why?</i> I cried out as if the knife in the horror movie had been plunged into my unsuspecting and naive back. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To sum it up, she tells me that the new attendees (specifically the one that questioned if a lack of diversity and inclusion are even problems) reported the meeting. From there, the association conveyed to the chairwoman that these meetings were really just to execute the pre-set agenda already decided upon by the board of directors. In essence, this attempt at a discreet rebuke amounted to <i>sit still and make us look pretty</i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Which of our key terms was lacking or out of order?</i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /> <div class="powr-poll" id="c24af5c4_1612709486"></div><script src="https://www.powr.io/powr.js?platform=html"></script> </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">I exhaled deeply while sadness enveloped me, hearing and acknowledging these words. <i>Is this really happening?</i> <i>Is this council just for show?</i> <i>Why do they have us wasting our time IN A PANDEMIC if they don't really want our input? </i>I pondered. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Cue the crescendo of the horror music.</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>'It Was All a Dream, I Used to Read Word Up! Magazine'</b></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the written, association-approved tenets of this council is: <i>to continually review the Association for systemic racism and discrimination issues that hold back, and/or discourage diverse leadership and membership</i>. That is the stated intent but the actual impact is far from this, particularly when this very council's input was being discouraged.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ju4E9o79D4/YB2v5IWzOgI/AAAAAAAAbiI/5oNFFj4apQs9j7dKNBiqcpqZTi-AE7J-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Atlanta-REALTORS%25C2%25AE-Association-Diversity-Inclusion-Council.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="2048" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ju4E9o79D4/YB2v5IWzOgI/AAAAAAAAbiI/5oNFFj4apQs9j7dKNBiqcpqZTi-AE7J-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h344/Atlanta-REALTORS%25C2%25AE-Association-Diversity-Inclusion-Council.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, how does this review properly happen if the council is told, in so many words, to just <i>do as you're told</i> and <i>to be seen not heard</i>? (Sorry if those statements trigger any of your inner child wounds.) You probably know the answer to that -- it does not happen. Instead, the status quo continues. This is fake inclusion a.k.a. tokenism. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">On its face, the association can say, <i>Look at us. We are so committed to diversity and inclusion that we have a council so named.</i> But if you whip out a magnifying glass, it is glaringly obvious that this diversity and inclusion council as it stands today is in name only -- the real discussions will still be had by only the few in the <i>club</i> that frankly have ignored the depth of marginalized voices, both anecdotally and from research. </div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b></b></i></span></span><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>...there is a wide chasm separating those organizations doing DEI work and those that are actually valuing the DEI work being done. </b></i>--<a href="https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/elevate-diversity-equity-inclusion-work-organization/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Stephanie Creary</span></a>, </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wharton management professor</span></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Continually. Review... Discourage. Diverse. Leadership. </i>Currently, these are just empty words on a webpage.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="white-space: normal;"><i></i></b><blockquote><b style="white-space: normal;"><i>Diversity invites people to the table, but inclusion empowers your voice to be heard while you're at the table. Diversity without inclusion is shallow marketing. I do not wish to sit at any tables that want my skin for marketing but not my voice for truth and perspective.</i></b><span style="white-space: normal;">  --Terence Lester, Diversity Scholar and Minister</span></blockquote><span style="white-space: normal;"></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was extremely disappointed. I did not knowingly sign up for and will not placate this game of charades. I am calling it out. Because with J.E.D.I. work, we have to cultivate a culture of intervention and accountability. Gone should be the days to <i>go along just to get along </i>(complicity) when the impact is wrong.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>'You Too Can Prevent Forest Fires'</b></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This was my experience with only one local REALTOR® association's perfunctory and performative attempt at diversity and inclusion. Thankfully, I have been privileged to be the J.E.D.I. training and coaching partner with many associations and I know this is not the atmosphere everywhere. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But wait! There is more:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></b></i><blockquote><i><b>I just downloaded your ebook (<a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yi5dxzq5tz" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></a>) and it is amazing! I… am pretty skeptical of our state and national associations so we are working through different political avenues where there is already agreement that we need to change federal policies as it relates to lending and real estate practices.</b></i> --S. A., Wisconsin Broker/Owner, white woman</blockquote></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Yeesh</i>. So it is not just one local Southern REALTOR® association and white people see it too. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b><blockquote><b>Again, this lack of justice, equity, diversity, AND inclusion is not everywhere; but, in truth, it should be nowhere.</b> </blockquote></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As mentioned, there are other organizations that are working for J.E.D.I. efforts where we can focus our energy instead.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> One example is how <a href="https://www.homelight.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Homelight</span></a> and <a href="https://www.nareb.com/our-history/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NAREB</span></a> (ICYMI: </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">was formed in 1947 because REALTOR® associations excluded Black real estate pros on the basis of race from joining) have teamed up to diversify the real estate industry. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">One solution to increase homeownership for all underrepresented communities is to diversify the real estate pros that serve the community because </span><a href="https://datausa.io/profile/soc/real-estate-brokers-sales-agents#demographics" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">over 74% of real estate pros are white</span></a> with a whopping <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/diversity-of-realtor%C2%AE-members?g=173096" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">86% of REALTORS® being white</span></a> as of 2020 data. Shockingly, that’s not 50 years ago, friends, making this a disparity of not just a bygone, pre-Fair Housing Act era. For instance, the current exclusionary verbal gymnastics and lingering aftershocks of 20th-century racist policies (like redlining and community covenant restrictions; see the book, <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yi5dxzq5tz" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Pro</span></a> for a deeper dive) have only contributed to the dismal Black homeownership rate disproportionately declining (<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/black-homeownership-has-declined-since-2012-heres-where-black-households-are-most-likely-to-be-homeowners-2020-06-30" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">with less than 50% being homeowners</span></a>). Consequently, since the year 2000, an <a href="https://www.citivelocity.com/citigps/closing-the-racial-inequality-gaps/" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">estimated $218 Billion has been lost</span></a> in our American economy due to such racism that has derailed Black homeownership, meaning <b>this is a problem that impacts us all</b>. To work towards remedying this, <a href="https://www.housingwire.com/articles/new-program-puts-black-real-estate-agents-at-forefront/" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Homelight and NAREB have partnered</span></a> to increase access and opportunity to real estate education and job positions with funding and mentorships for aspiring Black pros. Thus, this is just one example of how our volunteer time can be invested elsewhere.</span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, despite alternatives, I am sharing my experience with a local REALTOR® association because it's like going to one of my favorite chain restaurants or hotels. I am not giving up on the entire chain but I definitely want to <i>speak to the manager</i> at this location. Yet, this unfortunate and dated <i>power over</i> stance is from the <i>manager </i>so to speak, </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>ugh</i></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.  </span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That leaves me with offering to you this as a cautionary tale when intent and actual impact do not align. My hope is to give voice to anyone that feels like, despite all of the seemingly inclusive marketing, diverse voices are actually being stifled at the association (or perhaps you have witnessed this at the realty firm) level </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">STILL IN FREAKIN' 2021</span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">. If you can say, <i>I've seen/felt/experienced this too</i>, then please speak out.</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><blockquote><i><b>The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dares to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow. </b></i>-- Marian Anderson, an internationally renowned opera singer that triumphed in the face of exclusion in the U.S. simply for being a Black woman</blockquote></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vG9L1v0D05o/YB61m0KWVqI/AAAAAAAAbik/NxiXuuDC75UrIGHF2RSYwYbPGhgbSbHsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/I%2527t%2527s%2Bnot%2Bwhite%2Bvs%2BBlack%2B%25281%2529.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vG9L1v0D05o/YB61m0KWVqI/AAAAAAAAbik/NxiXuuDC75UrIGHF2RSYwYbPGhgbSbHsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/I%2527t%2527s%2Bnot%2Bwhite%2Bvs%2BBlack%2B%25281%2529.gif" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3ac86e5-7fff-47fb-7fcd-2818f7f30e7b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Inclusion Index: Let’s Push for Accountability with Metrics</b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What gets measured, gets done! One way to speak up is to push for our associations to begin tracking an Inclusion Index (to collect pertinent member data and feelings of belonging and uniqueness within the association) that members can voluntarily elect to complete during the association's annual membership renewal period. With an Inclusion Index, subsequent J.E.D.I. goals can more easily be set, monitored, and achieved since inclusion is a foremost ingredient in our diversity recipe.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For example, I have submitted the following Inclusion Index proposal to the Atlanta REALTORS® Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Council for a vote (fingers crossed):</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> At the time of membership renewal, along with updating address information, members can optionally checkmark the different pieces of their identity (such as race, ethnicity, nationality, educational attainment, tertiary institution, professional expertise/designations/certifications, tenure, age, disability and health status, sexual orientation, family status, career and parental status, employment status (full time, part-time, flexible working), immigration status, faith, veteran status, English proficiency, languages spoken, etc.). </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Additionally, members can rate (likely on a 5-point Likert scale) their feelings on inclusion with statements such as the following (which can be expanded but should not be condensed): </span></span></p></li><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span class="gmail_default" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">​As a member, I ​</span><span class="gmail_default" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">​am</span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"> valued</span><span class="gmail_default" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">​</span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for </span><span class="gmail_default" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">​my</span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"> differences and </span><span class="gmail_default" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">​my​</span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;"> unique contributions</span><span class="gmail_default" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">​​</span><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” </span></span></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">​"I sense empathy from the association's leadership."​</span></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I see people like me in association leadership.” </span></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I feel confident that I can join this association's leadership." </span></li></ul><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“<span class="gmail_default">​As a member, I</span> can voice <span class="gmail_default">​my</span> opinions without fear of retribution, penalty, or rejection.” </span></span></p></li><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I have confidence in my association’s grievance procedures.”<br /></span></span></p></li><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">​"The association's event and education programming fit my needs<span class="gmail_default">​ (e.g. content, time of day, diversity of speakers, <span id="docs-internal-guid-2067424c-7fff-d742-634a-cbb0472f8a31"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">convenient location, etc. with each subpoint being its own survey question</span></span>)​</span>."</span></span></p></li><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"This association<span class="gmail_default">​'s membership​</span> reflects the surrounding community." </span></span></p></li><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"This association is making a difference in the surrounding community." </span></span></p></li></ul><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"I feel confident that if I were to serve in this association's leadership, my viewpoint would be <span class="gmail_default">​respectfully ​</span>acknowledged and considered." </span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Importantly, there needs to be an eye-catching instructional statement proceeding the survey that conveys how participation, although optional, can help everyone's interests be better represented and included in the association. We, as J.E.D.I. agents, may even want to campaign during renewal season at our firms and among other REALTORS® that we know to increase survey participation. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Finally, let’s make sure our associations publicly publish annually the Inclusion Index along with the J.E.D.I. work that the organization has been doing and any progress made. This is critical for accountability and transparency. </span></span></p></li></ul></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The difference-maker (if we have learned anything from the power of Amazon and Yelp reviews) is us speaking up and out instead of resigning ourselves to </span><i>sitting still so they </i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-- those that outwardly vie for diversity but have not yet committed to the full recipe --</span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> look pretty</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Let's be clear, it is not about us against them but neither is it about abandoning ourselves for the sake of blind loyalty and compliance at our own expense. These associations are for the members -- all members including the underrepresented -- so every voice means a great deal. Speaking up to seek accountability for authentic justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is what this moment requires from us all. It's everybody vs. racism/exclusion/marginalization.</span></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sound off -</b> I would love to hear from you!  Give me a shout on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LearnWithDrLee" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://instagram.com/learnwithdrlee" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/leedavenport8?sub_confirmation=1" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YouTube</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or by visiting </span><a href="http://www.learnwithdrlee.com/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LearnWithDrLee.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Download today your complimentary (aka NO FEE but for a limited time so hurry) copy of my new book, <a href="https://dl.bookfunnel.com/luem6y7zox" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro</span></b></a>. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Want more of the best practices of our nation's top producers? Grab your copy of the short read, <b><span><a href="http://www.learnwithlee.realtor/p/resources.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Profit with Your Personality</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and, the classic, 5-star rated workbook, </span><a href="http://amzn.com/1508652325" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.08px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plan to Win</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to transform their real estate sales game plan. Or, get your "training on" with these <a href="http://vimeo.com/ondemand/learnwithdrlee" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">on-demand classes</span></b></a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's to your success! #LearnWithDrLee</span></span></div>

Real (Estate) Talk: What is Diversity Without Inclusion, Equity, or Justice? "Sit Still and Make Us Look Pretty"

Excerpt from How to Be an Anti-Racist Real Estate Pro and featured in my monthly Inman News column on Race and Real Estate as Part 1 and P...