MIAMI REALTORS® recommit to diversity, equity and inclusion

As an industry and market leader, the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® is urging all Realtors to recommit and rededicate themselves to diversity, equity and inclusion, which is in line with the NAR code of ethics.

Part of MIAMI REALTORS®’ initiatives include the landmark Beyond Fair Housing summit on Oct. 6 at The Biltmore Hotel. More than 12 top speakers from leading local and national organizations discussed fair housing hot topics and how our industry can better foster a culture where diversity, equity and inclusion are integrated into our lives and work.

“Our association doesn’t just talk the talk,” MIAMI REALTORS® Chairman Ines Hegedus-Garcia said at the Summit. “MIAMI REALTORS® believes in making DEI a part of our culture, not just a checkbox… it is reflected in our actions. Thank you for being a part of an association that is forward thinking.”

No room for discrimination

Diversity, equity and inclusion are lifelong commitments and embedded in the fabric of our real estate laws and the NAR code of ethics. The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in 2019, and NAR embraced the significance of the protections of the Fair Housing Act well before that. In 2009, NAR amended its code of ethics to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In 2021, NAR further amended the code of ethics to prohibit “harassing speech, hate speech, epithets or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity” in all of our REALTORS®’ activities. MIAMI REALTORS® remains committed to protecting and promoting professional standards for REALTORS® through continued enforcement the code of ethics. If you see or hear something, say something.

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® represents more than 60,000 total members engaged in all aspects of real estate, in diverse communities across South Florida. MIAMI REALTORS®’ leaders, members, and staff professionals foster a culture where diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of our lives and work. Through inclusive collaboration, which is rooted in mutual respect for our colleagues, we focus on the principles that matter to the association, our members and the communities we serve.

As I said during one of the panels at the summit, “education is the key.”

“Realtors have to know what to do and what not to do. It’s easy to get that license, but if it’s 75 percent of licensees who, at the end of the day, who don’t know the rules and regulations, this stigma will never end.”

DEI specialist Tessa Hultz 

At MIAMI REALTORS®’ Fair Housing event, former Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) CEO and leading DEI specialist Tessa Hultz detailed how she spearheaded industry-leading DEI and fair housing initiatives at LIBOR.

LIBOR is home to one of the nation’s largest, most diverse memberships with 30,000 real estate professionals throughout Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties. Hultz successfully navigated LIBOR through the “Long Island Divided” investigation by Newsday, which included testimony before the Senate and implementing changes at LIBOR to address the findings of the investigation.

In 2022, Hultz received the highest honor bestowed on an association executive by the National Association of REALTORS®. The William R. Magel Award of Excellence, which was won by MIAMI CEO Teresa King Kinney in 2019, is presented annually to an individual who has truly excelled in her or his role as an association executive of a REALTOR® association.

Six leading organizations participate at summit

The Greater Miami LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC), Asian Real Estate Association (AREAA), the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence (HOPE) and Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR) were represented by speakers at the Summit.

Ruben Sanchez (MDGLCC), Simo Labriti (AREAA), Luis Perez (NAHREP), Tamika Moses (NAREB), Rob Collins (HOPE Fair Housing Center) and Dinorah Guerra (WCR) shared their experiences with fair housing, how we can foster a vibrant community with diversity, equity and inclusion, and how our members’ businesses can thrive with that framework.

NAR Vice President of Policy Advocacy Bryan Greene, Florida Sen. Alexis Calatayud, Jawan Strader of NBC-6 and Hegedus-Garcia also participated.

“Educating the real estate professional will propel us forward,” Sanchez said. “With panels like this, there is an advantage. This will help our communities grow and thrive.”

Tamika Moses is 2024 president elect of MIAMI Association of REALTORS® Commercial.