This post was sponsored by HomeLight.com
Black Real Estate Agent Program
Black Lives Matter sparked waves of change across the United States, and more and more businesses are taking actionable steps to build inclusivity and diversity into their organizations. One industry we’re seeing these changes take place is real estate, an industry in which Black people are still not well represented. To help fundamentally shift diversity and equality within the industry, the real estate professionals at HomeLight and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the largest and oldest minority professional real estate trade association in the United States, have started an exciting partnership. They recently launched the HomeLight-NAREB Black Real Estate Agent Program – the first program of its kind in America.
Why is this program something to get excited about? Here are a few reasons: It will provide financial, educational, and career support for aspiring Black real estate agents across the country. The goal is high-production success, but what is really taking the movement forward is its aspiration to increase homeownership for Black Americans
Data from the US Census shows: Black Americans represent less than 6 percent of real estate professionals. Moreover, low rates of homeownership among Black Americans is not just about having a place to call home, this problem also limits educational opportunities and generational wealth for families and their children. It’s not just about home, it’s about what it means to live in a community where homeownership is possible.
This partnership is a first step in working to improve and nurture representation and improving the lives of Black Americans across the country.
Our goal is to drive sustainable, structural change by increasing access to job opportunities as well as education around how systematic racism has impacted the real estate industry. We’re excited to partner with NAREB to offer this program to aspiring Black real estate professionals. Together, we believe we can fundamentally shift diversity and equality in our industry by increasing access to training, education, and support for Black real estate agents. Sumant Sridharan, Chief Operating Officer at HomeLight
The program will increase the number of top-producing Black agents in real estate by covering onboarding costs for aspiring agents up to $5,000, including pre-licensing classes and exam fees, and marketing support. Like any project that is leading change, mentorship is key, and each candidate in the program will be mentored by a member of NAREB for 10 hours a week on their path towards becoming an agent. The mentees will learn everything from negotiating contracts to leveraging ads for properties on social media. Building community is another perk with one year of attendance at NAREB conferences.
Aspiring real estate professionals between the ages of 18 to 35 in Atlanta and across Georgia can join colleagues in 28 other states across the country where NAREB has a presence. As long as you aren’t currently established in the industry, you can apply to be part of this program leading change.
NAREB applauds and welcomes the partnership with HomeLight. Our association’s goal to achieve democracy in housing cannot be reached without the increase in the ranks of Black real estate professionals. Agents are the frontline and introduce homeownership to prospective clients. We are confident that this new program will not only equip Black American program participants with the knowledge and practical experience to become top producers in their communities, but also significantly expand Black homeownership in their communities. Lydia Pope, President-elect of NAREB
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit the Black Real Estate Agent website to learn more and get started.
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