In February we celebrate Black History Month, an opportunity to highlight and honor the history and legacy of African Americans throughout the nation.
In recognition of Black History Month, we’d like to highlight some of the impactful contributions of African Americans in real estate. Some of these notable figures include:
Dorothy Height Was known as the “Godmother of the Civil Rights Movement” for her dedication and advocacy for racial and gender equality. Height tirelessly fought against housing discrimination and advocated for legislation and was pivotal in the passage of the Fair Housing Act.
Patricia Roberts Harris was the first African American woman to hold a cabinet position when she was appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1977. During her tenure at HUD, Harris was dedicated to reconstructing and revitalizing dilapidated neighborhoods throughout the nation.
Clarence Mitchell Jr. was a civil rights activist and chief lobbyist for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). While serving as the NAACP’s Washington director Mitchell was instrumental in the passage of the Fair Housing Act. Mitchell is often referred to as the “101st senator” for his significant presence on the US Capitol and his influence on the passage of civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission recognizes that there are countless other pioneers in real estate history, and we encourage you to take the opportunity to learn about these notable figures.