OUR PRESIDENT'S final mid- YEAR MESSAGE

Michael Hoard, Esq., Real Estate Attorney

Chapter President, 2019-2022

Former Chairman of the Board, 2017-2018

Charlotte Crown Black Real Estate Association

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the President of the Charlotte Crown Black Real Estate Association, a local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). NAREB is the oldest minority trade association and promotes “democracy in housing.”

NAREB understands that the disparity in homeownership numbers along racial and ethnic lines is unacceptable. The goal is to remove that disparity. Our chapter has diligently moved this goal forward

locally.

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in

quiet resting places. - Isaiah 32:18

When I was approached about serving as President, I had consternation and feared

that my business would be impacted if I took on the role. However, my passion for

fighting injustice controlled my decision. For three fourths of my term, we have faced the worst pandemic this country has faced in years, but our organization continued to flourish despite the challenges created by COVID.

Since taking office:

➢ Our membership has grown by more than 150%.

➢ Our revenue has grown by 70%.

➢ Our local production stands at over 100 million in volume in the Charlotte

market.

➢ We have conducted homeownership seminars around the Charlotte area.

➢ We have organized annual golf tournaments for revenue generation.

➢ We have developed a faith-based initiative and partnered with faith

organizations to offer homebuyer seminars to their members.

➢ We have partnered with various institutions (i.e. Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac,

Bank of America, Pride Magazine, Black Accountants, Blacks in Technology,

Black MBA Association, Canopy Realtor Association, North Carolina Housing

Finance Agency, DreamKey Partners, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Self-Help

Credit Union, Inlivian, etc.) to champion the cause of equity in our community.

➢ We have hosted various speakers such as Mayor Vy Lyles and developer Don

Peebles to engage and inform the community and our members on housing and

development in Charlotte.

➢ We have hosted annual diversity panel discussions.

➢ We hosted our annual political forum, where we invite all candidates to speak

to members and the community.

 ➢ We have adopted a street, volunteered at Walls Memorial AME to prepare goods  for the homeless, a Roof Above to participate in Operation Sandwich, Care to  Share, etc. 

➢ We have conducted our annual Get on the Bus Tour for consumers. 

➢ We have hosted loan officers to create synergies to improve the chances of loan  approval for Blacks. 

➢ We have sponsored continuing education courses for our members. 

➢ We are one of the 10 largest chapters of the NAREB in the country. 

➢ We have sponsored various community events. 

In the final 6 months of my term, I expect to: 

❖ Host Ralphine Caldwell of Charlotte’s Local Initiatives Support Corporation  (LISC) to speak to our membership and the community about the organization’s  accomplishments and goals. 

❖ Complete the Community Festival to educate on all things housing through an  Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Beta NU Lambda Chapter) and Charlotte Crown  Black Real Estate Association collaboration. 

❖ Conduct the 2022 Annual golf tournament. 

❖ Conduct a homebuyer seminar. 

❖ Complete a Get on the Bus Tour in the fall. 

❖ Continue our monthly business meetings. 

It has been rewarding to serve as President. The board, committee chairs and membership have stood by my vision and supported my vision throughout the years. The work is not done. Our people continue to face discrimination in every area of housing. This is not by chance (The Color of Law eloquently speaks to the historical underpinnings), but I have seen discrimination in lending, appraising, selling and agency in the present. 

We, all races, must support Black homeownership. It is the first step to wealth. But we also have to be committed to support Black businesses to also help repair the breach. 

God bless, Michael Hoard, Esq.