The Atlanta Realtors Association has issued its first-ever apology in its 111-year history for the association’s history of discriminatory practices.
In the nearly nine-minute video posted to the Association’s Facebook page, current president Cynthia Lippert details the group’s learnings over the past year, including homeownership laws that perpetuated discrimination.
“There are many historical events, laws, decisions and initiatives that reflected this unfortunate history of hate and discrimination,” Lippert says in the video. For all of these issues, we apologize and are remorseful.”
Lippert also goes on to acknowledge the discrimination and bias that has perpetuated in the real estate industry for agents themselves, including historic policy that prevented Black agents from joining realtor associations.
“Moving forward, and in a desire to be the voice and driving force of change, we commit to ensuring that all our members feel welcome, supported, heated and valued,” Lippert continues prior to noting actions already underway within the association. “We commit to building and inclusive community where our leadership reflects our membership, and an Association that values its members for the diversity that they bring to us.”
You can see the Atlanta Realtors Association’s full video by clicking here.