During Black History Month, we honor the Black leaders whose vision, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape the real estate industry and expand homeownership opportunities for generations.
Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose
As President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), one of the oldest and most influential Black real estate trade organizations in the country, Dr. Johnson Rose champions initiatives that build Black wealth through homeownership and professional development. She leads efforts to expand economic opportunity and advocate for fair housing policies nationwide.
Ron Cooper
Serving as President of NAREB, Ron Cooper is a veteran real estate professional and leader committed to increasing Black homeownership and closing the racial wealth gap. His long service in real estate advocacy emphasizes wealth building and community empowerment.
Ben Slayton
Recognized as the first Black member of the National Association of Realtors®, Ben Slayton spent more than five decades in the real estate and mortgage industries, working to expand access to financing and support for Black homebuyers.
R. Donahue “Don” Peebles
Founder and Chairman of the Peebles Corporation, one of the largest Black-owned real estate investment and development companies in the U.S., Don Peebles has had a major impact on large-scale development, urban revitalization, and public-private partnerships across the country.
Donald A. Spencer Sr.
A pioneering broker in Cincinnati, Donald Spencer Sr. was among the first African American realtors to break local industry barriers, becoming the first Black broker in his region’s Realtor board and advocating for equitable housing practices in his community.
These leaders remind us that real estate isn’t just about property, it’s about power, equity, and wealth-building opportunities for individuals, families, and communities.
