Black Real Estate Agent Program Launches to Support Aspiring Black Agents

By Danielle Sanders

HomeLight and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) announced​ a partnership and the launch of the joint Black Real Estate Program. The HomeLight-NAREB Black Real Estate Agent Program will provide financial, educational, and career support for aspiring Black real estate agents across the country. The goal is to help agents achieve high-production success. The goal of the program is to improve the rate of homeownership for Black Americans.

BLACK REAL ESTATE AGENT PROGRAM IS CRUCIAL TO IMPACTING CHANGE

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Black Americans represent less than 6 percent of all real estate professionals throughout the United States. The homeownership rate for Black Americans hit a historic low in July 2019, impacting neighborhoods and families, school quality, and generational wealth. This program is the first step of many towards helping aspiring Black real estate agents across the country achieve high-production success, ultimately improving the rate of homeownership for Black Americans across the country.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers is the largest and oldest minority professional real estate trade association in the US. As part of the program, HomeLight and NAREB will help cover many of the onboarding costs for new agents up to $5,000, including pre-licensing classes, agent exams, and select marketing and technology needs. Each program participant will be paired with an experienced NAREB Realtist who will serve as a mentor and advisor. Participants will also receive ongoing training and education above and beyond that which brokers typically provide.

“Our goal is to drive sustainable, structural change by increasing access to job opportunities as well as education around how systematic racism has impacted the real estate industry,” said Sumant Sridharan, Chief Operating Officer at HomeLight. “We’re excited to partner with NAREB to offer this program to aspiring Black real estate professionals. Together, we believe we can fundamentally shift diversity and equality in our industry by increasing access to training, education, and support for Black real estate agents.”

“NAREB applauds and welcomes the partnership with HomeLight. Our association’s goal to achieve Democracy in Housing cannot be reached without the increase in the ranks of Black real estate professionals. Agents are the frontline and introduce homeownership to prospective clients. We are confident that this new program will not only equip Black American program participants with the knowledge and practical experience to become top producers in their communities but also significantly expand Black homeownership in their communities,” said Lydia Pope, President-Elect at NAREB.

Applications are open immediately. HomeLight and NAREB are actively seeking aspiring Black real estate professionals who are:

• Between the ages of 18 and 35
• Interested in a career in real estate, but not currently established as an agent.
• Willing to work with a NAREB broker during at least their first year in real estate.
• Committed to spending five to ten hours per week working with mentors or on continuing education.
• Located anywhere in the United States.

“In the aftermath of the racially stoked unrest in 2020, NAREB and HomeLight formed a working partnership to increase the number of Black Americans in the real estate profession. This initiative works to close the income and racial wealth gap in the industry. As important, our efforts are designed to increase Black homeownership. Together, we are holding open the door that would otherwise remain closed to Black professionals and consumers,” said Antoine Thompson, National Executive Director for NAREB.

For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.homelight.com/black-agent-program.