The REALTOR® to REALTOR® Series: Win Over Clients, Colleagues Who Feel Threatened by DEI

Not everyone understands or recognizes the vital role that diversity, equity and inclusion plays in real estate. Some even see the DEI movement overall as unfairly hostile toward people who are perceived to be privileged. This is a misguided notion—but one that real estate pros must confront in their quest to support a freer, fairer real estate market. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with two real estate pros who are part of underrepresented groups and fight every day against biases and stereotypes.

Meet the guests:

Kasandra Alicea is an agent with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®, in San Antonio who identifies as a transgender woman. As the founding president of the San Antonio chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, Alicea’s mission is to increase homeownership in the LGBTQ+ community. She works with Jamie Zapata, a fellow agent in her office who also identifies as transgender, to raise awareness and develop support for transgender people who work in the real estate industry.

John Yen Wong is an associate broker with eXp Realty of California in San Francisco and the founding chairman of the Asian Real Estate Association of America. Wong has served as the national chair of Freddie Mac’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council and as a member of JP Morgan Chase’s National Housing Advisory Council. He has been in the regulatory side of the real estate industry and was appointed by former Gov. Pete Wilson to serve on the California Department of Real Estate’s Advisory Commission.

This episode is sponsored by:

Podcast transcript:

About the Host

Marki Lemons Ryhal, host of The REALTOR® to REALTOR® Series, is a managing broker, bestselling author and national speaker with more than 30 years of marketing experience. She aims to change the industry conversation through the podcast to benefit you and your clients. You'll hear Lemons Ryhal mix it up with real estate professionals across the country, discussing the methods they’re using to address market challenges, improve sales or save time and money. Plus, hear anecdotes about extraordinary experiences they’ve had in the field.