Kevin Sears President | Official website
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Realtor.com have recognized three real estate professionals with the Fair Housing Champion Award. The award ceremony took place during NAR's event, "Fair Housing Forward," part of Fair Housing Month. The honorees were acknowledged for their commitment to advancing fair housing and expanding homeownership within their local communities.
The Fair Housing Champion Award honors Realtors who demonstrate exceptional dedication to promoting accessible and affordable housing opportunities. Each winner receives a $5,000 prize, which they can donate to a housing-related nonprofit organization of their choice. Realtor.com sponsors the award.
"Ensuring that every individual has a fair opportunity to achieve homeownership is fundamental to our mission," stated NAR President Kevin Sears. "These remarkable Realtors have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering stronger communities. Their efforts serve as a model for our industry and a beacon of hope for those striving to achieve the American Dream."
The winners of this year's award are:
Ennis Antoine, Managing Broker at Keller Williams West Atlanta, has played a significant role in fair housing and homeownership expansion. As a past president of the Atlanta Realtors Association, Antoine volunteers over 150 hours annually for home construction and homebuyer education, collaborating with the city of Atlanta to effectively integrate the Realtor voice in strategic planning for increasing housing supply.
William "Bill" Flagg, a Realtor at ERA Queen City Realty in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is noted for initiating impactful projects addressing housing inequities. Flagg introduced Newark's first successful Homeownership Fair in collaboration with Metropolitan Baptist Church, attended by more than 300 community members. The initiative emphasized education on homeownership, credit repair, and down payment assistance, positively affecting his local Realtor association and the broader community.
Greg Kiely, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, led significant changes by requiring fair housing education for membership at the Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors. He contributed to the NAR's Workgroup on Ongoing Mandatory Fair Housing Education, resulting in national fair housing training requirements in 2023, solidifying fair housing education as a critical part of professional development for Realtors across the country.
"I'm incredibly proud that Realtor.com supports the Fair Housing Champion Awards, recognizing Realtors who go beyond simply selling homes, by creating opportunities for the American Dream of homeownership for everyone," said Realtor.com Chief Marketing Officer Mickey Neuberger. "These winners are out there making a real impact, helping build stronger communities and making homeownership more accessible. It's an honor to shine a spotlight on them and celebrate their amazing work."
The National Association of Realtors is the largest trade association representing the real estate industry in America, engaging in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term "REALTOR" signifies a member of the association who adheres to its ethical standards.
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