WASHINGTON, June 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On June 19, 1865, Union Troops entered Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the American Civil War and, in doing so, the end of the institution of slavery in the United States.
Known as Juneteenth, this day has come to signify one of many celebrations in the African-American community and the beginning of a new chapter in the story of the United States.
As we reflect the senseless killing of George Floyd and engage in a national conversation about race, civil rights, and the very idea of what it means to be an American, we find ourselves on the precipice of another important moment in our country's history.
Since the inception of our company in 1988, TTR Sotheby's International Realty has taken a leadership role in the communities in which we live and serve, and today we stand in solidarity with those who seek to create a more just world for everyone.
My partners, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Rankin, Derrick Swaak and David DeSantis, are unified in our commitment to take stock of what more we can do and to enact real, tangible change.
First, to help facilitate greater awareness, education, and solidarity with our African-American colleagues, TTR Sotheby's International Realty is proud to make June 19th a permanent paid holiday.
In acknowledging Juneteenth in this manner, we empower over 500 real estate associates across the Washington area with the time, energy, and resources to celebrate the African-American community and to establish ourselves firmly as advocates of inclusion and equality.
But as we drill deeper into the day to day operations of our firm, we, like so many, see a number of ways to improve.
First, TTR Sotheby's International Realty will continue to hire talented professionals who are representative of the communities in which we live and serve. This means being intentional about making sure our staff and associates reflect the rich diversity which makes the Washington area so exceptional. Our roster will continue to grow with individuals of a wide range of backgrounds who share our vision for meaningful change.
Next, we will be doubling down on further training for our roster of real estate associates to ensure we remain passionate evangelists for the ideals of Fair Housing, the moral pillars of our industry and a critical topic where we can contribute to the larger conversation around racial inequity in the United States.
These ongoing training initiatives will be in partnership with our local and regional real estate associations, as well as with our partners at the National Association of Realtors, an organization that represents the interests of real estate professionals on a national scale.
In addition, TTR Sotheby's International Realty has commenced a series of regular Town Halls with our associates to discuss topics related to race and social consciousness.
In creating an environment for open and honest conversation about these important topics, we strive to empower our associates with a safe space to explore ideas and collaborate with their colleagues in a productive and impactful manner. These forums will include national experts on diversity and inclusion who will help us all understand the issues and opportunities around these challenging topics.
Further, TTR Sotheby's International Realty will use the long arms of its media platform to create more awareness around diversity and social justice. Our print and digital media touches hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people across the Washington region, the United States and worldwide. As we develop content for these channels, we will be very deliberate to highlight opportunities for learning and meaningful progress towards equality.
Finally, in cooperation with our network of philanthropic partners throughout the Washington area, TTR Sotheby's International Realty will take steps to ensure our resources and energies are working towards the greater goal of reenforcing social justice in our community. Our partners at Teach for America and N Street Village, as just two examples, are already doing so much for our communities, and we are committed to working side by side with them as we reenforce our commitments to help extend and enhance their efforts.
As we outline the specific actions we are taking during this time, we know there will be much more we can do — actions we have yet to consider or emerging areas for which we may not have a clear answer at this moment. In this, we hope you will join us in engaging in a healthy and productive dialogue to share your ideas about how those in the real estate community and in business can use our platform to effect positive change.
In the interim, we take inspiration in the following quote from the great Nelson Mandela, who so aptly summarizes our unique, shared ability to enact change in the face of adversity.
"It always seems impossible until it is done."
About TTR Sotheby's International Realty
TTR Sotheby's International Realty is regarded as one of the highest-performing real estate firms in the United States. With nine offices and over 500 real estate associates, our commitment to professional service, flawless integrity, and community leadership allowed us to capture more than $3.14 Billion in closed sales in 2019 while also serving as one of the Washington Metropolitan Area's foremost leaders in corporate philanthropy. To learn more, visit us at ttrsir.com.
SOURCE TTR Sotheby's International Realty
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