As real estate professionals, it's crucial to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of your clients. When it comes to dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds, a little sensitivity can go a long way. With that in mind, NCJAR participated in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Summit on June 5th and 6th, which emphasized the importance of creating equitable and inclusive workplaces.
The summit took place at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel in Tarrytown, New York, and included keynote speakers Deanna Singh, Kelly McDonald, and M. Ryan Gorman. These experts had a lot to share about creating inclusive workspaces that are representative of the diversity of our population. They discussed the key challenges that marginalized people face every day in and out of the workplace and the steps that can be taken by the industry to foster a safer space for all.
The summit also had breakout rooms covering a variety of topics. Realtors who attended the summit had the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics ranging from working in solidarity with other cultural groups to a realtor safety awareness panel headlined by NCJAR Past President Bill Flagg alongside Michigan real estate agent Eric Brown.
One important lesson from the summit was the importance of cultural sensitivity training. The world is becoming more diverse, and it’s crucial that real estate professionals learn about different cultures, languages, and customs to serve their clients better. Listening to diverse perspectives, hearing different experiences, and learning about diverse ways of doing business can be a valuable lesson that protects marginalized communities from being unjustly treated.
Another vital aspect discussed at the summit was the importance of employer diversity. The real estate industry must take steps to combat implicit biases that can hinder hiring diverse teams. By increasing the diversity of the workforce, real estate agencies can provide better services to clients coming from all walks of life.
The summit emphasized that diversity, equity, and inclusion work is ongoing, and that we need to reflect and examine our organizational and governmental policies continually. It's essential to initiate policies that are inclusive to different backgrounds, ethnic groups, races, and genders.
The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Summit provided a vast range of topics for all to consider. From workplace safety issues to cultural sensitivity training, the summit has highlighted critical issues of equality and diversity in the real estate industry. Through attending such events, realtors learn how to create reliable, trustworthy relationships with their clients and build the inclusive workspaces that our communities need. By fostering a mindset of diversity, inclusion, and equity, the real estate industry can meet the evolving needs of a diverse and changing world. #DEIRESUMMIT2023
