DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
A Better Future for all
Homeownership is the primary contributor to building wealth in America. Because REALTORS® play a pivotal role furthering fair housing, we can advance wealth equity by increasing housing opportunities for those who have been historically disenfranchised and marginalized.
To accomplish this, we must first acknowledge our history. REALTOR® Associations, including MIBOR, contributed to practices of discrimination and systemic racism. In addition, MIBOR failed to admit Black real estate professionals as members until years after the civil rights movement. The impact of our actions weighs heavy and can still be seen and felt in our communities.
Today, it is our responsibility to take action toward tangible and lasting change for our organization and our community. MIBOR REALTORS® are actively fighting discrimination. We are committed to providing every potential homeowner access to the home and neighborhood of their choice.
MIBOR REALTOR® Association represents over 10,000 REALTORS® in central Indiana and is committed to a membership culture where diversity, equity and inclusion are integrated into every aspect of MIBOR REALTOR® Association, the MIBOR Service Corporation, and the MIBOR REALTOR® Foundation.
This is our commitment. Join us on our journey to a better future for all.
Acknowledging our history
- 1924 – MIBOR BOARD voted and specified in the by-laws that only white males could participate in the association. This was in response to growing national pressure for social inclusion of women and people of color.
- 1938 – Women’s Council of the National Association of Real Estate Boards is formed, it was renamed in 1972 as the National Women’s Council of REALTORS®.
- 1942 – Mary Binford is appointed executive secretary, becoming the first woman involved with MIBOR’s leadership
- 1947 – Women were accepted to the Indianapolis Real Estate Board after a Board vote on December 11. Female agents were still not permitted to become officers at the time.
- 1954 – MIBOR member Margaret Evans is first woman to operate her own brokerage.
- 1964 – Indianapolis’ local chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS is formed.
- 1965 – William T. Ray becomes the first black member of MIBOR.
- 1970 – Helen Hirt becomes the first woman to win “REALTOR of the Year”
- 1970 – Daisy Lloyd becomes first black woman accepted to the MIBOR after having been a member with NAR since 1968.
- 1973 – NAR President Sawyer appoints REALTORS® from around the country to promote “the REALTORS’® agenda” in Washington. Indianapolis REALTOR® Wanda Grabner, a former President of the Indiana Association of REALTORS®, was one of the first women to serve on the national committee.
1976 – Helen Hirt becomes the first woman president of MIBOR. - 2012 – MIBOR works with John H. Boner Community Center and other organizations from the Near Eastside to build or renovate 32 homes (one to represent each of the 32 NFL teams) to house 32 families coming out of, or on the verge of, homelessness.
- 2016 – Roger Lundy becomes MIBOR’s first openly LGBTQ+ president.
- 2021 – Regina Jones becomes the first black president of MIBOR.
training opportunities
In November 2020, NAR launched Fairhaven, a new fair housing simulation training for REALTORS® that uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate.
At Home with Diversity Certification
At Home With Diversity is an educational experience designed to present a picture of the changing face of the real estate industry. More importantly, the class teaches REALTORS® how to work effectively with—and within—a rapidly changing multicultural market.
Implicit Bias Training
In this video, you will watch an online workshop to help members avoid implicit bias in their daily business interactions.
Local Multicultural real estate organizations
Central Indiana Realtist Association
Asian Real Estate Association of America
National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
resources for realtors®
REsources from mibor:
FAIR HOUSING: COMPLIANCE AND BEYOND
In February of 2023, MIBOR hosted Alexia Smokler to present Raise the Bar: Fair Housing Marketing. Alexia Smokler is the Director of Fair Housing Policy and Programs at the National Association of REALTORS®. Based in Washington, DC, she communicates NAR’s support for fair housing and closing homeownership gaps to Congress and federal agencies. In her presentation, she helps demystify the marketing provisions of the Fair Housing Act.
Long Island Divided
In May of 2022, MIBOR hosted Bill Dedman to present Raise the Bar: Long Island Divided. Dedman was one of the lead reporters on Newsday’s undercover investigation, Newsday revealed that Long Island’s dominant residential real estate brokerages help reinforce racial segregation through illegal steering of customers. In his presentation, Dedman covers details that include how the tests were conducted, the major findings, how to avoid steering, whether agents can discuss schools, how to ensure fair treatment for all, and what kind of new training is available.
Resources from the National Association of REALTORS®:
The Timeline of Housing Rights in America
A Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America
Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation
Leading With Diversity Program
Multicultural Real Estate Organizations
Test Whether You Have a Hidden Bias
Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing
That's Who We R: Fair Housing Assets
Realtors® Believe Fairness Is Worth Fighting For
An Overview of the Fair Housing Act [VIDEO]
Groundbreaking Report Identifies Bias and Systemic Barriers in Real Estate Appraisals
Breaking Barriers Scholarship Program
The Breaking Barriers Scholarship Program is designed to increase the recruitment, retention, and success of minority real estate professionals in central Indiana. This scholarship is in honor of Dr. Daisy Riley Lloyd, who broke the barriers of entry into the real estate profession in central Indiana as the first black woman to be granted MIBOR membership in 1970 after being rejected the first time she applied. This scholarship is designed to cover the costs for aspiring underrepresented minority real estate professionals to become licensed to practice real estate in Indiana and to obtain membership in MIBOR REALTOR® Association. Up to 4 scholarships will be awarded annually.
Learn more about Dr. Daisy Riley Lloyd here.