The Black Luxury Agent Collective (B.L.A.C.) is an inclusive affinity group founded to support and encourage the Black community within the Sotheby’s International Realty network and to foster collaborative relationships and networks in order to advance the understanding of real estate and driving wealth within the Black community. Melinda Jordan, one of our talented real estate professionals, is one of the founding organizers and a member of our Diversity and Inclusion Council. Melinda, inspired by the work that was being done in the DIC to create supportive environments within the company, noted that Sotheby’s International Realty and the real estate industry as a whole needed to turn their attention and support to Black real estate agents, who make up a growing but still underrepresented part of the industry. Read Melinda’s interview highlighting the Black Luxury Agent Collective’s 2022 achievements below.

What was the inspiration behind the Black Luxury Agent Collective?

With more than 26K global SIR advisors, we believe that less than 1% are black. With our love for the brand and the unparalleled experience, level of service and wealth-building potential that it can foster, the humbling and paramount opportunity was to embrace, exhibit and expand the brand's promise of being an international brokerage for all including its black agents, clients and the communities that we serve. We needed to be the example we wanted to see. We needed to be a change agent in fulfilling the brand's promise as well. Since BLAC's first meet-up in April of 2021, it has nurtured its commitment to create a sustainable, inclusive Black experience within the Sotheby’s International Realty global network. With full hearts from COVID and racial and social unrest, we were moved to take an alarming, humbling and forever memorable moment and make it a tremendous movement. This movement became an impactful and viable mission. SIR at every level from Jameson SIR to Corporate SIR have been committed partners, advocates and allies.

What were your goals for your first year? Did you meet them?

Yes.  As we strategically cultivate and encourage the group’s collective impact, we focused this year on the below:

• Establish our WHY - our purpose, mission, vision, values and culture 

• Create a trusted, safe space community that allowed black SIR agents to share experiences, seek guidance and garner tips

• Foster learning and engagement experiences that create an inclusive, intimacy culture committed to excellence in supporting and serving on another and our clients

• Establish referral opportunities around the globe for these uniquely positioned stellar real estate advisors within the global network

What were the highlights for the Black Luxury Agent Collective this year? 

• Referral: More than $20 million in referral business between agents

• Masterclasses and Panels:

  • Top Producing Black SIR agents FireSide Chat

  • Overcoming Obstacles

  • Building A Business within the Professional Sports Industry

  • Understanding Financing for People of Color

• Engagement Events:

  • 1st Black Agent Global Summit & Meet-Up, hosted by Atlanta Fine Homes during Juneteenth season

  • Virtual Global Happy Hour Instagram Go-Live events

  • first podcast recorded

  • Hurricane Ian Donation Drive

  • and more

• Social Media: Private Facebook Group created for members and allies

• Structure:

  • Mission

  • Vision

  • Core Values

  • Three Committees established (Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, and Professional Development and Homeownership)

• Presence: Black SIR agents have been included in 8 local and global SIR and Ninja panels. Our goal is to ensure all talent is considered for such opportunities. 

What does having the B.L.A.C. network as a community mean to you? To the other members?

"BLAC has not only helped me connect with other members who I have SO much in common with but it has also allowed me to grow. Growing is part of any successful business and to be able to simply text, email, or call a new friend with pure intentions of helping you grow…tell me what’s better than that?"

- Feras Abbas, Black Luxury Agent Collective Member

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Through our vision, mission and epic values to empower, provide, invite and care for the communities we serve, BLAC is committed to leveraging strategic partners, the power of the Sotheby’s International Realty global network and brand, and opportunities for professional development that expands the accessibility of homeownership.  

The efforts of the three committees which are engagement, strategic relationship building, and homeownership/professional development drive all programming efforts.

Each committee has outlined plans and opportunities to expand its presence with the SIR network, identify partners/organizations to develop strategic relationships with, create real estate learning experiences for the black community that enables the brand to become more accessible in our communities, and  establish professional growth and mentorship programming for our black SIR agent.  

Interested in joining the conversation? Join the Facebook group by clicking below.