[Fort Lee, NJ – February 6, 2020] – Over 100 members and industry professionals joined Greater Bergen Realtors® (GBR) Equal Opportunity & Cultural Diversity Committee for their first Black History Month Celebration, honoring Realtor® and GBR member Joanne English Rollieson; William Collins, NAREB’s National Chief of Staff; Lee Porter, Executive Director of Fair Housing Council of North Jersey, and Women’s Council of Realtors® Member and the first Black President of Passaic Board of Realtors® , Dana Williams.

GBR & committee member Allegra House spearheaded the event by working with the committee to provide an educational event that highlighted the culture and the impact the African American community has in the real estate industry. Allegra stated, “I wanted to work with the Association to highlight the history and success of African American Realtors and other professionals in the Real Estate industry.” 

During the event, attendees got a firsthand overview on who The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (N.A.R.E.B) is and the positive impact they have made in real estate -particularly in fair housing. NAREB provided education and awareness on the challenges faced and those that are still taking place in fair housing. According to The NAREB REALTIST Nation’s agenda – there is a significant gap between African American homeownership. Data indicates that gap has increased be 44%. NAREB is striving to increase homeownership rate by 2.5 million new homeowners within five years.

The celebration continued with a special cultural dance by the Center for Modern Dance company. The dancers brought a taste of the African American culture through their attire and ethnic dance performance. “This was definitely a highlight for our members”, Said CEO, Jorge Ledesma. He continued, “Our members truly enjoyed every aspect of this event, particularly the educational and dance presentation – we are so pleased to have started this celebration and look forward to continuing the tradition in years to come.”