Edition 7 | Volume 2 | March 2020
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Sisters understand each other like no one else can. They need each other. Sisters survive through each other, because when the world keeps knocking them down they have each other to fall back on
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Janet Singleton
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Message from the President
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Realtists,
I am honored and proud to celebrate Women’s History Month. This issue of RealtistNation focuses on NAREB’s women of achievement and their leadership. From the beginning, a woman’s strong, visionary voice, that of Nannie Black of Detroit, MI contributed to NAREB’s ability, 73 years later, to fight for equality and justice. Since its founding nearly 50 years, NAREB’s Women’s Council, to elevate the standards of women in the real estate industry by encouraging leadership, education and the exchange of information through group learning techniques.
Each step toward women’s equality represents progress for all of us. NAREB’s first woman president, Evelyn Reeves (1989-91) not only left an indelible mark during her tenure, but also her strong voice and vision continue to keep NAREB on its path. Maria Kong Douglass (2007-09) skillfully led the organization during the turbulence of the 2008 economic tsunami and focused on having NAREB’s presence and voice heard in Washington, DC. And, let us not overlook the strength and leadership of NAREB’s board chairs, Andrea Hilliard-Cooksey and newly elected chair Michele Calloway. Yes, NAREB has greatly benefited by their presence, knowledge and ability to lead our organization.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge today’s gender diversity. For the first time in NAREB’s history, two women are on the road to become president. I applaud NAREB’s membership for electing Lydia Kirkland-Pope, now 1st vice president and Courtney Johnson-Rose as 2nd vice president. Let us not forget the great contributions made by women like Yvette Chapman, Mary Bruce, Carolyn Matthews and Jean Webber.
Let us applaud the accomplishments of all my Realtist sisters. The revolution may not be televised but it will be recorded.
Please be reminded these extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Thank you all and be safe!
In the Realtist spirit,
Donnell Williams
President
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2020 SPRING POLICY CONFERENCE
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The in-person Spring Policy Conference, scheduled for May 20-22, 2020, in Washington, D.C. will now be convened via an online format due to the coronavirus pandemic. NAREB leadership is taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of our members. More information and details regarding agenda and speakers are forthcoming.
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Michele Calloway
Chair, NAREB Board of Directors
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t takes a bit of adjustment for a hard-driving former New Yorker to find a comfortable and nurturing home in the southland. But that’s just what Michele Calloway did and with purpose. She’s only the second woman to serve as NAREB’s board chair. Michele and comes to this position with mission and a vision not only to increase Black homeownership, but also to open doors of opportunity for fellow Realtists.
Born and raised in New York City’s Bronx borough where homeownership she says, “was extremely rare. Most [people] were apartment dwellers in a highly concentrated area.” As Michele remembered, “I enjoyed outings to the suburbs and always dreamed of my immediate family having a house of their own.”
Her move to Atlanta, GA showed that homeownership was more accessible to Black people than in northern cities. When she bought her first home and decided at the same time to become a real estate agent to help others realize the American dream of homeownership. Her purchase can be summed up in her statement, “If a girl from the Bronx housing projects could afford a home and [have] a good quality of life as a middle-income earner, then others can also.” For the past 21 years in the real estate profession, Michele has never veered off her course.
Michele’s decision to join NAREB was influenced by her first real estate agent Priscilla Harrell (Atlanta-Memphis) and her first broker Sharon Benjamin (Atlanta), both NAREB Realtists. Michele says, “I saw the good work they did in the community, educating and working with Black people through the homeownership process.” As important, she says that she “saw so many successful Black real estate professionals in the association.”
It wasn’t long before Michele’s entrepreneurial cravings kicked in. Before becoming the Managing Broker, EXIT Realty Quality Solutions, she was the qualifying broker of the Atlanta-based ACRE Group, a community centric real estate company that provided leadership for homebuyers, foreclosure prevention and home sustainability. In addition, she founded The Institute for Community Pros, a real estate training company.
Along with business building, active membership and leadership in NAREB’s Empire Board of Realtist, and current national board chair she finds time to pursue her love of dancing. All kinds of dancing including salsa, ballroom, praise & worship, along with partner and group dances. You’ll have to be on your toes if you invite her to the dance floor. You’ll have a “star” to impress
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TRIBUTE TO NAREB WOMEN LEADERS
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The forward movement of women of color almost always initiates progressive change for all women. -
Angela Davis
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Nannie Black (MI)
NAREB® was formed in 1947 by
twelve African American real estate pioneers,
one woman
and eleven men hailing from seven states across the country and are NAREB’S recognized founders.
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NAREB National Board Chairs
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I don’t care what diplomacy dictates. We have to stand up for our communities, to fight for them in new and different ways.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters
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Andrea Hilliard-Cooksey (TX)
NAREB 1st Woman Chairperson
2013- 2015
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Michele Calloway (GA)
NAREB 2nd Woman Chairperson
2019 - Present
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If you speak, speak to her who understands you.
-Proverb from Senegal
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NAREB National Presidents
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…we learned that service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.
Marian Wright Edelman
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Evelyn Reeves (CA)
NAREB 1st Woman National President
1989 - 1991
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Maria Kong Douglas (FL)
NAREB 2nd Woman National President
2007 - 2009
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I have always felt that one great advantage of being both Black and a woman was that I started off with nothing to lose. -
Naomi Sims
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Lydia Pope (OH)
NAREB 1st Vice President
2019 - Present
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Courtney Rose (TX)
NAREB 2nd Vice President
2019 - Present
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NAREB Women Affiliate Presidents
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United Developers Council - UDC
- Andrea Hilliard-Cooksey (TX) 2007 - 2011
- Michele Calloway (GA) 2011 - 2015
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NAREB Sales Division
- Elsenia Young (LA) 1992-2004
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Homebuyer Counseling Division
- Mary Bruce (WI) 1997-2004
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National Society of Real Estate Appraisers - NSREA
- Beverly Easterwood (MO) 1999 - 2001
- Myra Liliard (IN) 2015 - 2020
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Real Estate Management Institute - REMBI
- President - E. Jean Webber (IL) 2000 - 2002
- Chairperson 2002 - 2006
- President - E. Jean Webber (IL) 2007 - 2014
- Chairperson 2015 - 2018
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Women's Council of NAREB - WC
- Laura Seale (NY) 1971 - 1972
- Daisy Donovan (MI) 1972 - 1972
- Iris Yateman (IN) 1975 - 1976
- Mattye Brooks Spivey (CA) 1976 - 1978
- Jocelyn Peters (GA) 1978 - 1980
- Lorraine Malone (CA) 1980 - 1982
- Joanne Huddleston (MO) 1982 - 1984
- Claretta Isom (MO) 1984- 1987
- Barbara Ann Alexander (GA) 1987 - 1989
- Melanie Turner (NY) 1989 - 1991
- Katrina D. Henry (PA) 1991 - 1994
- Connie Stokes (GA) 1994 - 1995)
- Shirley A. Hamilton (CA) 1995 - 1997
- Joan C. Chambers (LA) 1997 - 1999
- Jean Brooks Eberhardt (GA) 1999 - 2001
- Ann John Latimer (FL) 2001 - 2003
- Vicky Cartwright (OH) 2003 - 2005
- Cassie Chappelle-Stanley (GA) 2005 - 2007
- Deborah P. Kerr (OH) 2007 - 2009
- Lydia Pope (OH) 2009 - 2011
- Terry Worthy (CA) 2011 - 2013
- Melinda Dightman (TX) 2013 - 2015
- Rolanda Wilson (CA) 2015 - 2017
- Sharon Middlebrooks (CA) 2017 - 2019
- Chandra Ware 2019 - present
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- Jill Forte-Jackson - Marketing & PR Consultant
- Sonja Gardner-Simpson - Event Manager
- Sharon Henry - Convention Manager
- Monica Lee - Membership
- Dianne Little - Office Manager
- Dianne Simmons - Editor Realtist Newsletter
- Joanne Williams, Communications Consultant
- C. Renee Wilson - Relationship Manager
- Rubye Wright - Executive Assistant to the President
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Selling immigrants a first casa
In 1998 Carlos and Jane Arias attended a homebuying seminar and decided they were ready to purchase a house. The Peruvian couple had lived in this country for a little over a year and spoke little English. But now the Ariases and their son...
Read more
www.baltimoresun.com
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NAREB is here for you! Please be safe!
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Send comments and articles for submission to the Editor by the 5th of each month.
Dianne M. Simmons, Editor
narebnews@nareb.com
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Antoine Thompson
Executive Director
Dianne S. Little
Executive Assistant
dianne.little@nareb.com
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Joanne Williams
Communications Consultant
jlwilliams@barrington-associates.com
Rubye Wright
Executive Assistant
Executive Administration
rubye.wright@nareb.com
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