Black real estate professionals push for fair representation
The Alabama Association of Real Estate Brokers (AAREB) has intervened in an ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the use of racial quotas for membership on some of the state's public licensing boards.
The advocacy organization for Black real estate professionals filed a motion to join the case, alleging discrimination against a white applicant passed over for a seat on the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board.
The conservative group American Alliance for Equal Rights sued Gov. Kay Ivey in February after she appointed three white members and three members of color to the board instead of their plaintiff, Laura Clark, who acknowledged she does not work in real estate appraisal.
The Alliance argued a state law requiring the nine-member board's composition to "reflect the racial, gender, urban/rural and economic diversity of this state" violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
“Having a racially and otherwise diverse board is crucial for fairness both for the industry and those who are appraisers or seeking to become appraisers,” Herring told local publication AL.com.
In its motion, the association said allowing the lawsuit's plaintiffs to eliminate the board's diversity policy "could impact the Appraisers Board's ability to regulate racial bias in the field and ensure equitable outcomes in licensing, investigation and discipline issues."
Attorney General Steve Marshall has stated Alabama will not enforce the diversity requirement, which he deemed unconstitutional and furthering racial stereotypes. However, he denied allegations of discrimination against Clark.
Read more: Diversity is important, no matter what the ‘flavor of the day’ is
The judge previously denied the Alliance's request to block Ivey's appointments but indicated the plaintiffs and state are discussing a potential settlement that could resolve the matter without agreeing to enforce Alabama's public board diversity laws.
The realtors group aims to protect those policies, arguing that "having racial minorities and other groups, like women and Alabamians from rural areas, included on the Appraisers Board is paramount."
Similar lawsuits by the American Alliance for Equal Rights are underway in Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Montana, Alaska, Arkansas and California following last year's Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action in higher education.
“Given its authority, having racial minorities and other groups, like women and Alabamians from rural areas, included on the Appraisers Board is paramount,” lawyers for the brokers said in a statement.
The court has yet to decide on the group’s motion to intervene, with updates expected by May 1.
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