St. Louis REALTORS®
Diversity and Inclusion PAG Recommendations
Background: After a recommendation from the Advisory Council and approval by the Board of Directors, President Matt Muren appointed a Presidential Advisory Group (PAG) on Diversity and Inclusion in July of 2021. This PAG intended to enable St. Louis REALTORS® to take steps in our community to reverse the damage of redlining, blockbusting, steering, zoning restrictions, and urban renewal destruction of homes and businesses of Black Families. The PAG was charged with the responsibility to engage in efforts to assist our Association to reckon with our past and build a more equitable future. This PAG met on five occasions from August to October 2021 to research other communities around the country and learn about the work of other St. Louis organizations. This PAG developed a list of recommendations that will best demonstrate our Association’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. In November 2021, the board of directors approved, with minor modification, all of the PAG recommendations, as outlined below.
Recommendations (to be added to the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan):
Issue a public apology on behalf of St. Louis Association of REALTORS® for past practices of REALTORS® for discriminatory housing practices, engaging in discriminatory lending, neighborhood classifications, restrictive covenants, and other practices that created a dual housing market for Black Families and White Families in St. Louis.
Authorize St. Louis REALTORS® to hire a dedicated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer on staff to manage many of our ongoing diversity initiatives. Further, hiring a Diversity Officer and appropriate support staff should be determined by the CEO.
Create a “Reimagining St. Louis Campaign” that announces our priorities, shares Historical Videos, creates our own Video Message, and showcases many of the diversity resources in the community.
Approve the following initiatives relative to Heirs’ Property:
- Advance REALTOR® awareness of clear title issues. Reach families to understand the importance of a documented will and estate planning by partnering with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.
- Partner with Community Builders Network Free Legal Workshop; Explain Missouri property law and resources to decide how your property is passed down to the next generation. Learn about estate planning measures to preserve your assets, promote generational wealth, and prevent vacancy in your neighborhood.
- Create a continuing education course that addresses title issues, beneficiary searches, Heirs’ property understanding, financial literacy, and insights into the Save the Farm Act.
Assertively engage with organizations working to achieve these stated goals for creating thriving communities. Such organizations include Community Builders Network, Vacancy Collaborative, Gateway Neighborhood Fund, etc.
Partner with Affordable Housing Organizations such as Justine Peterson Counseling, Better Family Life, and Beyond Housing.
Continue supporting passage of the Clear Title Legislation in the Missouri legislature for the City of St. Louis. Work to create a Land Bank in St. Louis County to address vacancy, which will require state and County legislation. Continue supporting Anti-Restrictive Covenant Legislation in the Missouri State Legislature.
Educate members and partner with other organizations to conduct Homeownership and financial literacy workshops. Promote the Missouri REALTORS® financial literacy program, “It’s Your Move,” for local high schools, junior colleges, and trade schools.
Direct our DEI Officer to coordinate Member involvement to create positive outcomes and REALTOR® visibility in Individual Communities.
Launch “Reimagining St. Louis Expo” with the involvement of Community Partners and seek ways to include our Community Partners at other St. Louis REALTOR® events.
Collaborate with the National Association of Real Estate Brokers to further our efforts of homeownership advocacy by working with the current mentoring and sponsorship programs to help retain and attract African American agents and assist in closing the homeownership and wealth gap with our African American clients.
Promote and incentivize CE Classes on Diversity and Inclusion that include “Forgotten History” and other relevant videos. Consider incentivizing people with a free class to complete the program. Require participation in Fairhaven for all new St. Louis REALTOR® members and encourage Missouri REALTORS® and NAR to do the same. Offer a class on Title Issues including Heir’s Property, tax sales, etc. Encourage Missouri REALTORS® to recommend the MREC to require a mandatory Federal Fair Housing CE Class. Mandatory leadership training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Attract and retain Black Agents by offering scholarships and mentorships. Participate in Career Fairs with Speakers from St. Louis REALTORS®.
Create an annual Brokerage Award for Diversity and Inclusion achievement.
Create opportunities to educate and motivate Brokers to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We wish to not only educate Brokers on the importance of diversity but also to point out how diversity helps our region become more inclusive and progressive and how it can increase everyone's bottom line.
Establish a Community Engagement Forum to partner with our Community Engagement Committee to attract the greatest number of Members.
Partner with REALTOR® Housing Assistance Fund on a quarterly “REALTOR® Give Day.” Encourage members to donate as part of a quarterly ‘REALTOR® Give Day’ where RHAF funds can be used to ‘match’ the contributions.
Add NAR Article 10 to Board and Committee Reaffirmations.
Use a Racial Equity Lens when updating Association Policies in all association decisions and considering our Policy Agenda.
(Approved November 19, 2021)