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The Illini Valley Association of REALTORS® celebrates diversity in our membership and staff culture.  We are committed to educating ourselves and our Realtors® regarding the racism and inequality issues that are present in the real estate industry.  We are including links to Implicit Bias testing which will help you determine what unconscious biases you may have; a Bias Override program to help you overcome your unconscious biases; the Newsday Long Island Divided video that shows you that systemic racism still exists and is impacting the housing industry; Fairhaven, a simulation for our members to virtually be placed in certain situations and show them how to deal with those situations in keeping with Fair Housing rules; At Home With Diversity, a certification course where you will learn about the systemic racism in the housing industry and how to combat those issues and become more inclusive in your business practices.  There will also be a reading list available here that will include books that address racism, white supremacy, and systemic racism.  

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What is Implicit Bias?  To put it very simply, it is when a person reacts to another person based on a prejudice that he/she didn't even know they had.  We all have biases that are unconscious, learned from things we have experienced or heard our parents say as children.  You may think you don't have a "racist bone in my body" but on a deeper level, you may have hidden prejudices about one race or ethnicity.  The Implicit Bias testing is a way to see what those biases may be.  You might be surprised by the information revealed in these tests.  You can check out the tests here: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

Bias Override is how you learn to overcome the unconscious biases you discovered in the Implicit Bias testing.  In this hour long video you will learn about implicit bias and how to avoid it in your real estate business.  Check it out here: https://www.nar.realtor/videos/bias-override-overcoming-barriers-to-fair-housing%23rtrn2021

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In November 2020, the National Association of REALTORS® launched Fairhaven, a new fair housing simulation training for REALTORS® that uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate. Inspired by real stories, this innovative online experience has agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process. Learners will also walk in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination. The training provides customized feedback that learners can apply to daily business interactions. - NAR

Realtors® can access Fairhaven here: fairhaven.realtor

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At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) is an NAR certification program designed to present a picture of the changing face of the real estate industry. Since 1998, the At Home With Diversity® program has prepared over 20,000 REALTORS® to work effectively with and within today’s increasingly diverse pool of homebuyers.

The At Home with Diversity® course is a 6 to 7-hour class that can be taken online or in person and addresses the topics of diversity, fair housing, and business planning development. After successfully completing the course, REALTORS® are eligible to apply for the official AHWD certification, which conveys to clients they’re working with a dynamic real estate professional with expertise that transcends cultural barriers.

Take the course on your own time online here: https://www.onlinelearning.realtor/A/Product/Details/4984/

Find a classroom course here: http://training4re.com/course/90/At-Home-with-Diversity/8/0/0/90/IL/0/registration

Below is a recommended reading list provided by Matt Difanis, RE/MAX Realty Associates.  Matt is a Past President of Illinois REALTORS® and is currently a member of the 2021 Professional Standards Committee and also instructs At Home With Diversity in a classroom/virtual setting.  Please consider checking out some of these books and also check out the following links:

Stay Woke From Home with these Books, Resources & Articles by Cicely Lewis

https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=Stay-Woke-from-Home-Read-Woke-Cicely-Lewis-equity-COVID-19-coronavirus-diverse-books

Letter To My Son by Ta-Nehisi Coates

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/tanehisi-coates-between-the-world-and-me/397619/

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For more Diversity, Equity & Inclusion resources, check out this link to the National Association of REALTORS® page:  https://www.nar.realtor/diversity/diversity-equity-inclusion-resources 

Here you will find information regarding Fair Housing, Grants, articles, websites and other resourses.

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