Diversity is a broad term. In real estate, it means representing all communities with a variety of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds, and a wide range of lifestyles and experiences.

It’s recognizing and representing different demographic groups in a given market area resulting in better advocacy for education, homeownership and private property rights. In order for real estate companies to be able to relate to a diverse population, it’s important to have representatives of these diverse populations providing input to decisions.

ULI Arizona’s DEI Committee presents “Advancing Arizona’s Real Estate Industry Through Diversity” on May 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the John Paul Theatre on the Phoenix College campus, 1202 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix.

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“As a society, we have taken a number of strides towards fairness and understanding communities that for many historical reasons, were not in the forefront. This particular event will help to enlighten us all about the importance of continuing the work of creating a pipeline of diverse future real estate innovators,” said DEI Committee Vice Chair Oscar De las salas with Gensler.

ULI Arizona’s DEI Committee works to provide strategic guidance and implement systems to engage students, youth, and leaders of diverse backgrounds with professional opportunities and resources within ULI and the real estate and development industry. It has partnered with Project Destined, a global, social impact platform that teaches underserved youth the fundamentals of commercial real estate.

Students work with leading executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks that prepare them to secure a strong first job. Educating underserved youth about the industry provides them with the tools to make better decisions about issues in their communities, either as participants in land use discussions, as entrepreneurs, or as employees of real estate related companies.

Catherine Anaya, a three-time Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist will serve as moderator of the real estate diversity event. Panelists will include Alexis Barber, student and Regional Production Director, Project Destined; C. Joseph Blackbourn, President and CEO, Everest Holdings; Cedric Bobo, Co-Founder and CEO, Project Destined; and Natalia Chavez, Development Analyst, Dominium.

Registration pricing varies from $30 for members to $40 for non-members. Students may register for free. Register here.