Edition 11 | Volume 2 | June 2020
Message from the President
Realtists,

I CAN’T BREATHE!

Whether it’s getting hit unexpectedly with a ball or a bat, a vigorous set of double dutch, or playing an exhausting game of tag, the phrase “ I can’t breathe ” has always been a universal cry for a “timeout,” “I need a minute” or “slow it down.” Once this declaration is pronounced most are given the opportunity to regroup and collect themselves.

This declaration is widely accepted in America since the very first funny experience shared by family or friends. Now, for whites this declaration may have been around the campfire waiting for the shot to be fired to allow them to secure land during the Homestead Act. However, for African Americans this first declaration of “ I can’t breathe” may have derived from the The Laughing Barrel due to slaves not being allowed to laugh in public.

In any case, whether it be pain, exhaustion, or laughter the intent of the declaration is the same; “ I need a minute,” “timeout” or “slow it down.” The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the Realtist organization, has been the voice of Black housing since 1947. On behalf of Black housing and the underserved community we declare plurally, “ We can’t breathe ” and join the nationwide protests economically, as we are best equipped.

“ We can’t breathe ” when our properties are being devalued based on prejudices and racism. “ We can’t breathe ” when lenders raise credit scores 40 points. “ We can’t breathe” when we’re pulled away from FHA 203k financing. " We can’t breathe" with a reduced debt to income ratio. " We can’t breathe " when the ability to use rental income for qualification purposes is eliminated.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers begins its second leg under my administration. The first was education, which shall continue, and I hope you all enjoy and take advantage. The second leg as declared on August 1, 2019 is empowerment. Please stay connected as we are the trusted advisors and voice of Black real estate.

Stay safe, wash your hands frequently and wear your mask.

In the Realtist Spirit,

Donnell Williams
President
National Association of Real Estate Brokers
What needs to be done next?

The recent agitation by the COVID-19 pandemic combined with civil disobedience caused by acts of police brutality have highlighted one unavoidable fact, there is a deep and systemic gap in access and opportunity in this country. The average wealth of white families is almost 8 times higher than their black and brown counterparts, according to the Urban Institute, and that gap is wider than it was when segregation and discrimination was supported by the judicial and legal systems. The question then becomes, “What can be done to address this issue”? This is the most crucial time to take the energy generated from streets across the country and channel it to fight for Black homeownership. The racial gap in homeownership sits at 44% for Black Americans and 73% for White Americans. Below are a few ways to close the homeownership gap:

  • Ensure that the Disparate Impact Standard is still applied to Fair Housing Policy by HUD
  • The Disparate Impact Standard was designed in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was intended as a method to hold entities accountable when they violate the Fair Housing Act.

  • Passing the American Dream Down Payment Savings Act               
  • This bill establishes savings accounts that encourage consumers to save money toward the down payment of a home.

  • Expanding HUD Section 184 to include African- Americans
  • HUD section 184 provides Native Americans and other indigenous groups government backed low interest mortgages.

We ask that members of NAREB reach out to their representatives in both the House and the Senate and demand that they turn rhetoric into action! Please Click Here to find your representative and their contact information.

James Privette
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator 

Derrick Jackson
Legislative Chair
Expand HUD Section 184
Black Americans have had a long history of not having access to affordable and sustainable mortgages backed by the U.S. government that could transform our neighborhoods for the better. Expanding Section 184 has the capability of being a catalyst for real change for millions of Black Americans. W e ask you to join our cause by sending a message to your elected officials and encouraging them to support expanding Section 184.
Dear NAREB Members,

As we are continuing to monitor the emerging developments around the COVID-19 and in keeping with the recommendations by the city and the county, we are back in the National office doing business as usual. We are operating under normal business hours and are able to answer your questions via phone and email.
 
Please remember that the member portal is open and accepting new member and renewal payments for each chapter. Please do not forget to pay your chapter dues as well. 
 
Please encourage new members to sit in on the New Member Webinar hosted by Monica Lee, Membership Coordinator, Sherita McCray, Member Chair and Maya Smith, Member Chair once each month.
 
Also, for the new Chapter Administrators, we encourage you to take part in the “Inputting Members” webinar hosted by Monica Lee, Membership Coordinator once each month.
 
We are asking that you share with ALL member the importance of following us on our social media channels for updates and community events, also to “like” and share on your personal pages to help build NAREB exposure.
 
Please DO NOT forget to utilize the NAREB School for continuing education classes and use your affinity benefits for a ton of savings.
 
Monica Lee has a new schedule. It is Monday & Tuesday, from 9A – 5P EDT, Wednesday from 9A to 12 noon and off on Thursday and Friday.

If you have questions, please reach out to us by emailing:

Membership Coordinator: Monica A. Lee,  monica.lee@nareb.com
 
Member Chair: Sherita McCray, Sherita McCray, sherita40@gmail.com
 
Member Chair: Maya Smith, mayaranis@aol.com
 
 
Kind regards,
Monica A. Lee, MBA
Membership Coordinator
NAREB Local Chapter Highlights
South Florida Board of Realtists  
Jeffrey Corriolan, President
Over the COVID, the chapter completed a few events.
  1. Homebuyer workshop – “Important things to know about buying during COVID 19”
  2. Partner with Feeding South Florida – we did over 100 boxes of meals that serviced the Miami-Dade & Broward County community.
  3. At the Closing Table – Going through the closing documents and changes that went into effect during the pandemic. For example, electrical closings.
  4. We are scheduled to do a tea & coffee session with Citi Mortgage this June 27th, 2020.
  5. Political Action Day was one of our realtist week events – Chief Legal Counsel of Miami Association of Realtors(MLS), Running mayoral candidate for Miami Dade County and Realist and running candidate for a high populate Black Community called Miami Gardens.
  6. We completed a state of the union message to our members in response to the recent death of George Floyd and black lives matter movement.
  7. Completed a section 8 housing event with sponsor & partner – Miami Association of Realtors. This event had about 200 people in attendance.
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Dearborn Realtist Board
Courtney Q. Jones, President
In honor of Juneteenth and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, The Dearborn Realtist Board and members participated with local faith leaders for a march into the City of Chicago. Chapter president, Courtney Jones address hundreds that was in attendance on the importance of homeownership.
Huntsville Chapter
Regina Mitchell, President
The chapter has been doing a Realtist spotlight every week showcasing all our Realtist. We have a Mortgage Minute every Thursday when the lenders have a Q&A forum So we can spotlight our Affiliate members and we show case birthdays. It has been keeping membership involved. It has increased our membership. Please let me know if you need anything further.
The Houston Real Estate Association
LaDonna Parker, President
On the heels of an amazing Virtual Realtist week offered by National, HBREA rolled out a month long COVID-19 Strategic Survival Plan for Realtist Members during the month of May. We kicked the month off with a Prayer and Mental Health session bringing in featured speaker, Dr. Rose Moten out of Detroit, who advised that “we are in a collective trauma whether we know it or not”. Our goal was to encourage, educate, and empower both our Realtist community and the communities that we serve during uncertain times. While most events were geared towards real estate professionals, many were open to consumers as well.
In summary, we repurposed our regularly scheduled Lunch & Learn and Broker’s Circle to deliver messages from Top 20 Awardees and Rock Star Brokers sharing specific survival trade secrets. We expanded to include Financial Health Fridays focusing personal and business strategies with an emphasis on credit preservation and access to lending. We offered a 2 Day class presenting 12 Tactics in a Shifting Market with a follow up Business Planning Workshop designed to finish the year strong. We also featured classes on the Census, Faith Based Engagement, and Commercial/Investment Opportunities.
Consolidated Board of Realtist
Stanley Jackson, President
NAREB Louiville Chapter
Yolanda Buckner, President
CLOSE THE WEALTH GAP THROUGH
REAL ESTATE INVESTING 101

On June 19th, the chapter held a ZOOM meeting to discuss the following topics:

SEGMENT 1: SUCCESS STORIES FROM A SEASONED AND NEW INVESTOR - GEORGE FOREE AND ANTHONY SILVER

SEGMENT 2: HOW TO FINANCE YOUR DEALS THROUGH
BANK FUNDING - CUMBERLAND VALLEY - PARK COMMUNITY FEDERAL

SEGMENT 3: CHRIS MCCARTY PRESIDENT OF KREIA
HARD MONEY LENDING

SEGMENT 4: 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm HARRY BORDERS
LEGAL DOCUMENTS FOR INVESTING: TRUST AND LLC.
Birmingham Realtist Association
Marcus Brown, President
JOIN THE MOVEMENT: VOTE!!!

Throughout this multi generational journey for Equality, Birmingham, AL, has been a leader in creating change. The Birmingham Realtist Association embodies those same intangibles. Not only do we fight for Democracy in Housing, but w promote equality for African Americans and all humankind! The wa to inflect change on a local, state and national level is to use your voice through your VOTE!. Click on video, Join the Movement - VOTE!
NAREB REALTIST IN THE NEWS
National Mortgage News - NAREB has presented to the federal mortgage officials several housing finance proposals that would both help the Black community and boost homeownership overall, said President Donnell Williams.
CNN Business - NAREB president Donnell Williams said companies that want to end systemic racism should consider contributing to NAREB's " House Then The Car " program targeting black Millennials whose economic struggles and consumer behavior changes have fueled a  record decline  in black home ownership.

BankRate - That’s a harsh reality for many African-American families, says Donnell Williams, a New Jersey Realtor and president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, an organization of Black housing professionals. “I know people whose entire lineage has never owned a home,” he says.

Karmaimpact - “The black home ownership rate since I’ve been president has risen to 44%, but we’re still 30% percentage points behind white America. That prevents us from being able to pay for college, so now we have to get a loan. Most business loans are secured by collateral — the first thing they look at is your home. Everything goes down that path. … We need to educate those first-generation homeowners about how important it is.

HousingWire - In a  town hall meeting  hosted by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers on Thursday, members of the real estate community came together to discuss inequalities in Black homeownership and how to remedy them.
INDUSTRY NEWS
IT APPEARS THAT SOME MEMBERS ARE NOT RECEIVING NAREB’s EBLASTs!!!!    YOU MUST OPT IN CONSTANT CONTACT TO RECEIVE NEWS FROM NAREB’ WHICH INCLUDES NAREB EVENTS, HTTC, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT EBLASTS. etc.    PLEASE OPT BACK IN SO YOU CAN CONTINUE RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM NAREB.
 
The message from Constant Contact (the platform we use for our eblasts) said that at one time you ‘ opted’  out.   If that is true, please consider returning.   If you didn’t opt-out and are not sure why you would be on the  ‘opted’  out list…good news, you can ‘opt’ back in by clicking on the link below.   It is a 2-step process:
               1. Click on the link below; enter required data
               2. You will receive an email requesting you to confirm subscription to National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc.
               3. Once, you updated your profile, you will receive a welcome.
 
Let UPS help you come back strong
As safer at home measures start to relax and we focus on rebuilding, lean on your NAREB UPS Savings Program to address logistics challenges and deliver the tools and resources you need to help your business come back stronger than ever.

To learn more visit:  www.savewithups.com/nareb
Or call:  1-800-MEMBERS (636-2377), 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., to speak with a member care specialist.
CONTACT US
Send comments and articles for submission to the Editor by the 5th of each month.

Dianne M. Simmons, Editor
narebnews@nareb.com
Antoine Thompson
 Executive Director

Dianne S. Little
Executive Assistant
dianne.little@nareb.com
Joanne Williams
   Communications Consultant
 jlwilliams@barrington-associates.com

Rubye Wright
Executive Assistant  Executive Administration
rubye.wright@nareb.com