Diversity, equity & inclusion at GCAAR

Discrimination has no home here.

The National Association of REALTORS®, representing more than 1.4 million REALTORS® in diverse communities across the country fully embraces perspectives from all walks of life. NAR commits to bringing out the best in themselves, uncovering hidden talents and celebrating differences in day-to-day interactions. These beliefs are essential in serving its members, who help fulfill the dream of home and property ownership in America.

As your REALTOR® association, we are doing our part to identify opportunities for diversity and inclusion conversation and education, and to promote the practice of inclusion and equity among our leadership, members, staff and within the industry.

We put together a video of our diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) initiatives featuring members of our leadership. Watch the short video here.

The following are a few examples of GCAAR’s work in this area.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions program

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee has established GCAAR’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions Program to give our REALTOR® and affiliate members the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and to achieve personal growth and support their business. The program features three key diversity training elements, which we encourage all interested members to take part in - including completion of the At Home with Diversity (AHWD) certification course, NAR's Fairhaven fair housing simulation and NAR's Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing video.

In our video series, several members, all GCAAR DEI Champions, shared what they gained from the program.

IMPORTANT!

Beginning in 2023 with the board nomination process and selection of committee members, all applicants are required to be GCAAR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champions at the time of their application. We encourage all other members to do so as well.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Established in 2021, the mission of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee aligns completely with our goals at GCAAR to identify opportunities for conversation and education, establish expectations of diversity and promote the practice of inclusion within our membership base and industry. The committee focuses its efforts on both personal growth and business development.

Events & education programming

History & Power of Real Estate webinar series

Soon after the tragedies and anti-discrimination protests that gained a national spotlight in 2020, GCAAR took action to continue the conversation about racism and discrimination – particularly as they relate to real estate. We launched the History & Power of Real Estate webinar series to generate a healthy discussion around the history of our nation’s legislative barriers to homeownership based on race – and how those barriers still affect today’s society, both nationally and in our local communities. To date, we’ve held five webinars in the series attracting more than 750 registrants, including both neighborhood history sessions and a presentation by Richard Rothstein, renowned author of “The Color of Law.”

Profession Sessions

Our Profession Sessions, offered exclusively to GCAAR members, bring important topics to the forefront for discussion in a virtual format – at no cost to our membership. A recent session brought in a representative from the Equal Rights Center to highlight developments in fair housing at the local and federal levels related to new protected identities in the region, along with new guidance from HUD about how it views discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

At Home with Diversity® courses

GCAAR regularly offers NAR’s At Home with Diversity® (AHWD) certification course at a deeply subsidized rate because we’re so passionate about encouraging our members to take the course. AHWD covers how to work effectively with diverse populations by developing business practices rooted in inclusion and equality to help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership. More than 300 members have participated in the course thus far.

Other NAR program promotions

In addition to offering AHWD, GCAAR regularly encourages members to become actively involved in NAR’s own diversity and inclusion initiatives. We actively promote the fall 2020 changes in the Code of Ethics prohibiting discriminatory speech and conduct; Fairhaven, NAR’s innovative training platform that helps REALTORS® identify, prevent and address discriminatory practices in real estate; implicit bias training and other important programs.

Advocacy for fair housing initiatives

We are staunch advocates for fair housing-related legislation in both Montgomery County and the District of Columbia.  We advocate for transparency and education on Montgomery County and the District of Columbia’s laws and rules as they relate to fair housing, so our members are continuously educated on them, and we seek to close any gaps in fair housing laws with sound legislative measures.

In early 2023, GCAAR’s Board of Directors adopted a motion that “all future endorsed or RPAC-supported candidates shall adhere to and uphold the NAR Code of Ethics: Article 10” (the Fair Housing Act policy). This action is part of our larger commitment to non-discrimination and to promoting the practice of inclusion and equity among our leaders, membership and the public at large.

Read the full announcement.