On Thursday, June 15, TREC co-hosted a Summer Social networking event with the Dallas chapter of African American Real Estate Professionals (AAREP DFW), with whom we have also begun partnering on advancing diversity initiatives within our city’s commercial real estate industry.
More than 90 members from both organizations attended the Summer Social at the Marie Gabrielle Restaurant & Gardens to connect with one another, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to bring members of our organizations together by establishing this partnership between TREC and AAREP DFW,” said TREC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Kim Butler, who is an Executive Vice President of Leasing for HALL Group. “We look forward to further collaboration as we continue to identify ways to increase diversity within Dallas’ commercial real estate industry and professional community.”
On its website, AAREP DFW champions core values of diversity within the commercial real estate community, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing professional development for African American commercial real estate professionals.
AAREP was founded in Washington, DC in 1995 and now includes a network of chapters nationwide with hundreds of commercial real estate professionals among its membership. The organization’s Dallas chapter was founded last year.
“This successful event gave members of both organizations the opportunity to connect and network,” said AAREP DFW President Brandon Bradley, who is a Director of Transaction Management at CBRE.
“AAREP DFW, an organization designed to promote and highlight African Americans in the commercial real estate business, is looking forward to more events and our continued relationship with TREC and their commitment to diversity in the commercial real estate industry,” he added.
TREC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission is: The Real Estate Council believes we must utilize diverse, equitable, and inclusive practices to enrich, transform, and the Build the City We Imagine. We actively seek, without bias, to eliminate racism, prejudice, and discrimination of any form within the commercial real estate industry. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture as we focus on leadership development, public policy, and community investment.
AAREP DFW Vice President Kameshia Freeman, who is a Senior Vice President of Public Institutions at JLL, said the Summer Social event gave the organizations an opportunity to “connect beyond our usual boundaries.”
“As a relationship-oriented industry, the commercial real estate business can benefit from events like these,” she said. “This social gathering signals the start of a long-lasting, strengthened partnership between AAREP and TREC.”
TREC and AAREP DFW would like to thank CRE Analyst for sponsoring the Summer Social and its commitment to fostering diversity and driving positive change within the commercial real estate industry.
On Thursday, July 27, AAREP DFW is hosting an event with T. Dallas Smith to commemorate its one-year anniversary. All are welcome to attend.
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