Diversity is an integral part of the work that we do as REALTORS® here in Arizona. From our diverse landscapes to our dynamic market to our extensive 55,000+ members statewide, we recognize that embracing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) isn’t a question but a necessity as we navigate both our professional endeavors and our daily lives.

Comprised of 35 REALTORS® from all of the communities our association serves, the Arizona REALTORS® Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee strives to build a strong and diverse association in order to foster a more respectful and inclusive member and consumer experience.

Words on EDI are important, but we also seek to translate these significant words into action by implementing these principles into our work. By empowering our members with diversity and leadership training, a variety of educational and networking events, promotion of fair housing practices, and most importantly, by truly supporting all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, familial, status, sexual orientation, gender identity and ability status, we are embodying these guiding principles.

Our discussions on EDI today not only serve as a reflection of our progress but also chart the path for the distance yet to cover. We explored this as an association at our second “Success Through Diversity” event, where we welcomed members of all cultures, identities and viewpoints to engage in conversations about the hardships they have faced in the past, fair housing violations of today and where our trajectory is leading us tomorrow.

Learning and sharing together, the event welcomed nearly double the number of attendees compared to 2022, demonstrating the willingness and trust of Arizona REALTORS® to show up for one another, practice active listening and take a unified step in the right direction as an Association to embrace EDI efforts.

We expanded on our dedication to fair housing awareness by creating a new Fair Housing Advisory, a detailed document which serves as a reminder to consumers that it’s against the law to discriminate in any form when renting or selling property, and by introducing a new online resource page that includes fair housing laws, informational videos, a webinar archive, book suggestions and details on local classes and instructors.

Community outreach is another key element of our EDI initiatives, as we encourage REALTORS® to come together to support local charitable organizations in a variety of different ways.

Earlier this year, we proudly supported local nonprofit One-N-Ten in its mission to empower LGBTQI+ youth and young adults. We hosted an ice cream social for Pride Month and donated a portion of the proceeds to benefit the organization’s social services and programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development and healthy life choices.

We were also proud to sponsor the Arizona Historical Society’s “Rebuilding Home Plate” exhibit, which explored how baseball helped endure loss and restore faith within Arizona’s Japanese American incarceration camps, and the Society’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, “Roads to Freedom,” which honored the impact of Black communities in Arizona.

Recognizing the value of including perspectives of all ages within our membership, we have taken significant steps toward enhancing age diversity in our Association by introducing the inaugural Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Real Estate Scholarship Program, which provides two 2023 high school graduates with financial resources to begin their REALTOR® journey that can be used for real estate pre-licensing school, exam expenses and the first year of REALTOR® state and national dues.

The EDI Committee has also consistently upheld its commitment to mentoring the next generation of REALTORS® by supporting the National Association of REALTORS® Spire Mentorship program for the second consecutive year, an initiative that sparked 46 new professional partnerships that will leave a lasting impact.

Whether it is your first year in the industry or your 51st, we want to foster a sense of belonging within the Arizona REALTORS®.

As we look back on what has been a momentous year full of EDI accomplishments, we also think about how we can build on our efforts to ensure that every REALTOR® feels a sense of belonging within every association, committee, leadership team and room that they enter.

Let’s build together.

Torey Gannon is the 2023 chair of the Arizona REALTORS Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.