By Vanessa Simmons and Ian Thickstun, Co-chairs, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Columbus REALTORS® 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Committee co-chairs are Vanessa V. Simmons, Branch Manager with Coldwell Banker King Thompson., and Ian Thickstun, Sales Agent and Director of Recruiting with Core Ohio Realty Associates.
Our mission is to increase awareness of fair housing issues, eliminate intolerance and biased behavior among real estate practitioners and the public and to grow diverse leadership within the Columbus REALTORS® Association.
Ian and Vanessa believe that a key element to increasing the awareness of the need for diversity and inclusion is to utilize existing organizations. Columbus Realist Association (NAREB) and the National Association for Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professional (NAGLREP) are two organizations that are well established and provide an excellent link to groups of diverse REALTORS® able to make great contributions to our Association.
Prior to the gathering restrictions, Ian and Vanessa attended several events hosted by the Columbus Realtist and NAGLREP, establishing relationships that provide pathways for Columbus REALTORS® to participate in to help increase awareness of fair housing issues through partnering and helping to support the missions of these organizations.
We believe that the best way to help eliminate intolerance and biased behavior is through understanding and exposure. Vanessa and Ian approached Columbus REALTORS® Young Professional Network (YPN) and collaborated with them to host Salsa and Socialize. The event was held Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, at Mi Tradicion Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Gahanna and was designed to bring more diversity and inclusion to a very active group within Columbus REALTORS®. We had over 70 people register for the event and an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. Once social distancing guidelines are relaxed, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee hopes to have more joint partnerships with other Columbus REALTORS® committees.
One of the major projects Vanessa and Ian successfully introduced and got approved is having the ability for the new Columbus REALTORS® website to have the capability for diverse agents to be able to self-identity. This tool will be a benefit to any Columbus REALTORS® looking to co-op with bi-lingual agents as well as a benefit to the general public looking for a REALTOR® who can communicate with them in their primary language. If you are an agent that competently speaks a second language and would be interested in co-op opportunities and/or new business opportunities or if you are a Columbus REALTOR® looking to expand your business through co-ops opportunities please be on the lookout for updates as the new website becomes available.
Our final goal for 2020 is to provide a slate of diverse candidates for consideration for the Columbus Leadership Academy. We believe that the Academy has done an exceptional job developing leaders for the Association and beyond. Our committee is working towards having more diversity at every level of the Association from committee chairs through executive leadership.
Our meetings are open to all REALTORS® and affiliates. Prior to Social Distancing guidelines our plan was to meet bi-monthly. We will announce our next meeting date once Social Distance guidelines are relaxed.
For more information please contact[email protected]or[email protected].
