Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce the formal debut of the Black Luxury Agent Collective (B.L.A.C.), 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. An inspiring conversation with Lisa Bennett and Joy Andrews of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty over brunch birthed an idea that is now B.L.A.C. 

The community began as an intimate and private Facebook group. Headed up by some of the most talented names under the Sotheby’s International Realty umbrella, B.L.A.C. quickly established itself as a community of support and encouragement for Black agents as well as a network that provides resources, referrals, and growth opportunities among its agents. Soon, the initiative grew to garner the attention of the broader Sotheby’s International Realty team, and an international community effort was established.  

Now with worldwide support from the Sotheby’s International Realty team, the mission of B.L.A.C. is to engage, support, and encourage the Sotheby's International Realty brand’s Black agents and the Black community by fostering collaborative relationships, establishing influence, and building a network that advances the understanding of real estate ownership, investment, and its role in wealth-building for the Black community through EPIC values: 
 

· EMPOWER and educate the Black community, expanding confidence in the home buying and selling experience by harnessing the market knowledge and expertise of B.L.A.C. 

· PROVIDE relevant resources and platforms focused on presence, homeownership, opportunities, investing, wealth, and legacy building. 

· INVITE and retain Black individuals within the Sotheby’s International Realty network, and provide opportunities for social engagement, professional development, and referrals. 

· CARE for and listen to all affected by inequity to foster unity, support, and growth, in order to cultivate a significant collective impact. 
 

We at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty couldn’t be more proud of the hard work, dedication, and care that Melinda Jordan along with the other founding organizers and members have put into this project. The first inaugural meeting of the B.L.A.C. Network will take place on February 1st, 2022 at 2:00 PM EST to kick off Black History Month. If you are interested in becoming a part of this new collective, use the links below to get involved and be sure to check back for additional resources!