Illinois REALTOR® leaders heard from a top NAR official on strategies that can be used for building diversity in local associations.

Fred Underwood, NAR director for diversity and inclusion, talks with Chicago Association of REALTORS® CEO Ginger Downs at a training session held Jan. 16, 2018, in East Peoria at Illinois REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings.

Illinois REALTORS® recite the Pledge of Allegiance at a session on diversity held at the Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria on Jan. 16, 2018.

Fred Underwood, NAR’s director for diversity and inclusion, presented at a breakfast meeting held as part of the Illinois REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings in Peoria on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.

Underwood spent his early career working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Chicago on fair housing issues. He’s assisted community groups throughout Chicago in understanding and meeting federal fair housing guidelines.

“Inclusion will make associations successful in advocacy, education and professionalism,” Underwood said.

The program explored the benefits of creating an inclusive organization, and provided information on how to identify and develop diverse leadership.