“How does it feel to be the first African American President of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®?” A thoughtful question, right? I was not quite sure how to answer it. One would think that I would reply as expected, using several adjectives like “thrilled” or “honored,” which I am, do not get me wrong. Let me introduce myself as your 2023 president of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®. I have been in the real estate industry for 16 years and have held many leadership positions at the local and state levels. Since being installed in October 2022, that question has been posed quite a few times.

This is not the first time that I am the first at something. In 2016, I became the first African American president of the Tucson Association of REALTORS®. At the time, I did not want to draw attention to that very fact. Internally, I was uncomfortable being Black in a place where there was a lack of diversity around me. At times I felt out of place and believed I was looked at differently. To be honest, it was not until a few years later that I came to understand that I was the very reason other REALTORS® got involved on committees, work groups, boards of directors and one member becoming the president of their local association. It is both an honor and humbling to know I have helped pave the way for others, not just people of color, but people from all walks of life.

Now, I would like to pose the counter question; How does it make YOU feel that I am the first African American president of the state association?

My vision as president is to bring equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) to the forefront of our association. To make uncomfortable conversations become comfortable, increase awareness and grow as one within the organization. If we are being honest, political correctness and fear of going against the grain makes most avoid these conversations like the plague. But if we look at approaching the topic of EDI from a different perspective, to open minds instead of changing them, this, my friends, is where progress begins.

I want to emphasize that EDI is more than just about race. It speaks to the spiritual heart that symbolizes the core of our being, an area where prayer and moral actions originate. If a person dislikes you or does not want to do business with you because of who you are, there is a deep belief inside of them telling them to think that way. You may have heard the old proverb; “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” According to the Oxford Dictionary, this phrase means you “cannot make people change their established patterns of opinion and behavior.” This is true; you cannot force people to change their opinions or ideologies. However, there is no rule against challenging those beliefs regardless of whether they constitute a conscious or unconscious bias. With respect to conversations about EDI, we must look at uncomfortable conversations as an opportunity to challenge…not change.

The Arizona Association of REALTORS® has made many strides at including EDI in all frameworks within the organization. Their EDI Committee is made up of members from across the state that are diverse in nature, meaning that they represent ALL of the communities REALTORS® serve in Arizona. Equity, diversity and inclusion are important concepts that seek to create a fair and inclusive society, particularly in the association world.

Equity refers to the fair distribution of opportunities, resources and benefits among all individuals. It aims to ensure that everyone has equal access to the tools and resources they need to succeed, regardless of their background, race, gender or other factors.

Diversity refers to the range of differences that exist between people, including their backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. It is important to recognize and celebrate diversity, as it can bring a variety of benefits to individuals and organizations, including increased creativity and innovation, improved decision-making and stronger relationships.

Inclusion is the act of creating a welcoming and respectful environment that values and embraces diversity. It involves actively seeking out and including individuals from underrepresented groups, and ensuring that they feel valued and supported in the association.

Together, the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are crucial for building a more equitable and just society. By promoting these values, associations can create an inclusive culture that fosters innovation, creativity and better business outcomes.

To achieve EDI, we need to be intentional about our actions and decisions, continuously educate ourselves and others, and create opportunities for underrepresented groups to succeed. It’s important to acknowledge that creating a diverse and inclusive workplace or community is an ongoing process that requires dedication, commitment and an unwavering focus on positive change.

It’s not enough to simply strive for diversity or avoid discrimination; we must actively work toward creating a welcoming environment in which all individuals can thrive and reach their full potential. When we embrace EDI, we not only create a better world for ourselves, but for future generations as well.

So, let’s commit to EDI and work towards a more just and inclusive society where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Eric Gibbs is president of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®.