In the Commission’s December 2023 eBulletin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion update, we reported on our efforts to engage with and attract diverse groups of young professionals to the real estate industry. Over the last year the Commission’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer has worked in collaboration with state and local REALTOR® associations and various industry organizations to establish partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) throughout the state.
Through these partnerships, the Commission has been able to engage with students at five of the ten North Carolina HBCUs at events such as career fairs, luncheons, guest lecture series, panels, and other campus sponsored events. Students were exposed to a variety of professional opportunities in real estate, expanded their professional networks, and gained access to scholarship and internship opportunities. Through this initiative, the Commission established an internship program and has hired two summer interns for 8 weeks, with one intern in the Accounting Division and one intern in the Education and Licensing Division.
The Commission is continuously working to expand our programming under this initiative, with plans to include high schools, other colleges, and consumers in our efforts. If you would like to be a part of our programing, please contact us here and Commission staff will be in contact with you.