Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

REALTORS® Commitment

The real estate profession is an honorable field, dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership. REALTORS® are committed to guiding clients through one of the most significant decisions of their lives, ensuring they find a place to call home. Their dedication to ethical practices, personalized service, and community building reflects their unwavering commitment to making homeownership accessible and fulfilling for everyone.

What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – NOT?

Let’s start by saying what it is NOT.  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are NOT about establishing quotas or meeting arbitrary numbers. DEI is not a box-checking exercise or a superficial effort to appear diverse. It is not about giving preferential treatment to certain groups at the expense of others, nor is it about lowering standards or compromising on excellence.

It is not about creating divisions or fostering resentment among different groups. 

Well, What Is It? Break It Down…

It is about equality of opportunity.  We live in a complicated world.  We face difficult challenges, and we all need to be at our best to overcome them.  The concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion provide a basic foundation for creating a just and effective society. DEI is about creating a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and included.  

Diversity is simply who we are – and let’s face it, we are all different. The more we get to know things about each other, the better we function.

Equity in real estate means recognizing that opportunity must be intentionally expanded.  By addressing historic inequality of opportunity and investing in solutions, we strengthen our industry, serve our communities more fully, and create a future where every REALTOR® agent and every client has a fair path to success.  

Inclusion is the opposite of exclusion. It’s what we do to make everyone – our colleagues, clients, and family – feel connected and accountable to one another. It’s listening for signs of exclusion and addressing them. 

Fair Housing and Code of Ethics

REALTORS®' dedication to professionalism and serving our communities exceeds the basics outlined in local, state, and federal Fair Housing Acts. We pledge to uphold our Code of Ethics, which provides a strong foundation for ethical practices and non-discriminatory service. Our commitment to DEI goes beyond these principles. We strive to ensure that our interactions extend beyond real estate transactions, fostering a sense of community and belonging for all.

 

Maryland REALTORS® Commitment

At Maryland REALTORS®, we are committed to supporting a community where everyone is valued, respected, and included. To achieve this, we integrate the basic principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into every aspect of our work. Our members are dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. This tenet is central to our identity and operations. We recognize that creating an inclusive culture where every individual feels valued and empowered is not only the right thing to do but also essential for our collective progress.

Our commitment to DEI goes beyond just a statement; it is a guiding principle that shapes our actions and decisions. We are dedicated to building a workplace where people from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences can thrive. As a profession, we understand that diversity and inclusiveness drive creativity and innovation, enabling us to better serve our diverse clientele and communities.

Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is unwavering. True progress requires ongoing effort, commitment, and collaboration. Integrating DEI values into our culture strengthens our association and profession.

Maryland REALTORS® Commitment

Resources and Educational Materials

Books:

  • The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
  • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Olou
  • Race for Profit by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
  • Not in My Neighborhood by Anthony Pietila
  • Evicted by Matthew Desmond