Vanessa B. Sutton, ABR, CNE, CPRES, GRI, MRP, SFR
Affordable Real Estate Company, Broker
Chairman, Columbus Realtist Association
I became a real estate agent in 1984. During my career, especially in the late 80’s and through the 90’s, I experienced several situations of discrimination. Some of my clients were denied the opportunity to purchase homes in areas they wanted to live simply for the color of their skin and opportunities were denied to me as well.
I sought out and joined the Realtist organization in 1988, because of a need to associate with brokers and agents who had the same challenges I had. To be able to know that others have been discriminated against, doors slammed in their faces, dogs turned on them, buyers who had been redlined and loans denied due to their race. Someone who truly understood because they have had the same experiences.
To be surrounded by people who understand and grasp the market that we serve. To be able to educate and empower the unserved and underserved. To be part of a national, state and local organization that has given me leadership and wealth-building opportunities. These are the reasons that I have been a proud Realtist for 30 years.
When I joined the organization, I learned about the history of the Columbus Association of Real Estate Brokers, now known as the Columbus Realtist Association. I was surrounded by brokers and agents who had been in the business since the 1940’s and 1950’s. I recall being told that when they showed homes to black home buyers, they were not allowed to come inside the home. A black home buyer could only choose a home from the exterior. Most neighborhoods had deed restrictions that the home could not be sold to a black person. Once a black home owner moved into a neighborhood, in a short amount of time all the white home owners would move out. I remember this happening when my parents move to the Cassady Peake subdivision in 1962.
Up until the early 1970’s, the Columbus Board of REALTORS® would not allow membership to black brokers. Sam Lowenthal, an attorney and real estate broker, hired Paul Turner, the first black agent to become a REALTOR®, and later hired Cheryl Churchill who became the first black female commissioner of the Ohio Division of Real Estate.
Columbus had several real estate pioneers. One was William Potter, BAC Realty, who was a major developer of the Mount Vernon Avenue's focal point, a mixed-use project that was one of the most successful projects in Columbus. I. Alma Taylor, I. Alma Taylor Realty, and Lela Francis, Francis Realty, were the first two black female brokers in Columbus. Mrs. Taylor held several leadership capacities with the Columbus and Ohio Real Estate Brokers. Mrs. Francis had multiple offices in Dayton and Columbus. Mr. William Culpepper, Culpepper Realty, was one of the leaders who consistently championed for equal opportunities for black brokers and agents. He along with Donald Terry, DOT Realty, and James Haynes, who was from Cleveland and at the time was President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, and others visited Capitol Hill on several occasions to fight for fair housing laws and equal rights for black home buyers.
When many black home buyers were being shut out of getting down payment assistance, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency administered the program through a Columbus Realtist member’s office to allow equal opportunities for buyers to receive funds from the program.
Currently, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) has an initiative to work towards having two million new black home owners in five years. The Columbus Realist Association is passionate about this mission. With a national black home ownership rate of 42.1 percent, we understand the need to educate potential home owners through financial management and working with lenders, home counseling agencies and other organizations to help achieve the dream of homeownership.
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) also known as Realtist was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1947 as an equal opportunity and civil rights advocacy organization for African American real estate professionals, consumers, and communities in America. Our purpose remains the same today, but we are more focused on economic opportunity than civil rights. And, although composed principally of African Americans, the Realtist organization embraces all qualified real estate practitioners who are committed to achieving our vision, which is Democracy in Housing.
Sheree Smoot-Johnson
Realtist | REALTOR® with Affordable Real Estate Company – The Diamond Group; and 2018 President of the
Columbus Realtist Association
“I have been a member of the Columbus Realtist Association for more than eight years. I initially joined because I was looking for a place to network with other real estate professionals. After attending my first meeting, I realized that I was destined to become a Realtist. I have always had a passion for helping people in my community realize the American Dream of home ownership. To me, being a Realtist is more than just selling homes; it’s educating our community about creating generational wealth, health, and educational opportunities. I learned quickly to make a difference, I had to be involved. I am looking forward to this year and to increasing our membership and community activities in Columbus and surrounding areas."
Gail Tate-Johnson
Realtist | REALTOR® with Affordable Real Estate Co.; President, Columbus Realtist Foundation; and Board Member, Columbus Realtist Association
“As a real estate professional, being a Realtist means I have a responsibility to carry out the mission of 'Democracy in Housing,' set forth by those who had to fight legally and physically for the opportunity to participate in the practice of selling real estate. More than that, to continually educate myself on fair housing laws and best industry practices, to effectively represent those who have been unserved and under-served when looking to purchase, sell or invest in real estate — a proven avenue for wealth building.”
Qiana Jones
Realtist | REALTOR® with Carleton Realty, LLC
“I decided to join the Columbus Realtist Association to network with like-minded professionals and organizations working to achieve the common goal of fair housing for all.”
Ersula HayGood
Realtist | REALTOR® with Affordable Real Estate Company – The Diamond Group
“I have been assisting individuals and families with buying and selling homes throughout central Ohio for 19 years. I joined the Columbus Realtist Association for a couple of reasons. My Broker has been a long-term member and suggested I join and, after learning the history of the NAREB organization and their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement to pursue equal rights in housing, I feel honored to be a part of this organization. Home ownership is important to building wealth and investing in to a family’s future. Equal rights in housing and providing opportunities for families to become healthy home owners is important to increasing home ownership and building stronger communities. Being a member of the Columbus Realtist Association allows me to be involved and up-to-date on current events, which provides me with the educational tools to advocate to our community the importance of being a home owner.”
Melissa Woody
Realtist | REALTOR® with Carleton Realty, LLC
“I am a new agent and becoming a Realtist was very important to me because I love being a part of something bigger than myself. I have the ability to make an impact in the lives of people and families. I believe that home ownership can change the trajectory of someone’s life and being part of that is deeply meaningful. Loving our community, advocating for equal opportunities, and celebrating with our home owners as they reach their dreams is what being a Realtist is all about.”
Pauline E. Buck
Realtist | REALTOR® with Affordable Real Estate Company
“I joined the Columbus Realtist Association because I saw it as a great venue to continue my professional development as a sales agent. I believe in their vision and the direction it can take my career.”
