July 2025 NAREB Newsletter 
Meet Our 2026 Incoming Board Members
Meet Gilford Sanchez, our 2026 NAREB: Black Realtist of Southern Nevada President. He's a Realtist that spans Nevada and California with dedication. Gil currently chairs the Membership Committee for Black Realtist of Southern Nevada and is a standing Director on the Board. He stays connected in the community with other key organizations to actively offer beneficial connections to members of NAREB, and we are so grateful for him because of that.
Meet E. Marie Hughes, our 2026 Executive Vice President. Marie is Mortgage Loan Officer at East West Bank, proud mom, and dedicated Realtist. E. Marie co-chairs the Political Advocacy Committee for Black Realtist of Southern Nevada and is prominent in the political arena. She stays well connected in the community with other key organizations to promote and protect democracy in housing.
Meet Roland Daniels, 2026 Director for Black Realtist of Southern Nevada. Roland is a Senior Mortgage Advisor at Geneva Financial. Roland focuses his mortgage practice on helping divorcing homeowners make a more informed decision regarding home equity solutions and identify any potential conflicts between the divorce settlement, the mortgage and the real property. Roland prioritizes a holistic and empathetic approach for all involved. You probably know Roland from his successful radio show "The Mortgage Pro" on Power 88.
Meet Veronica Torres, 2026 Director for Black Realtist of Southern Nevada. Vee is a Realtist, Account Executive with Equity Title, and owner of Vitores Marketing. She has been recognized among Las Vegas's Top 50 Real Estate Professionals. Her approach to real estate is rooted in understanding client needs and sculpting of her professional ethos. Leveraging her expertise in online presence and partnerships, She provides valuable educational classes and innovative marketing ideas to support clients. Veronica was on our board previously and now she's officially back, and we could not be more excited.
Meet Kristin Whitney, our 2026 Assistant Treasurer. Kristin is an empowered and powerful Realtist and Mortgage Loan Officer with Guild Mortgage. Clients consistently commend Kristin for her “reliable and professional” guidance—highlighting her hands-on, supportive presence throughout the loan process. As a recognizable name among The Employee Network’s preferred lenders, Kristin is so appreciated by NAREB: Black Realtist of Southern Nevada for her active role in championing equitable access to housing.
Realtist are Out in These Streets!
NAREB opened its 77th Annual Convention last week, celebrating major accomplishments under the outgoing Presidency of Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose and embracing the incoming President Ashley Thomas III’s goal to prioritize advocacy as a vehicle to bolster Black homeownership.
Thomas, the CEO/Owner of LA Top Broker, Inc., a mortgage and real estate brokerage, and Managing Broker of First Security Investment Co., Inc., has outlined a strategic approach for his two-year presidency. His theme, Closing the Gap - Advocacy, Affordability, and Access, demonstrates a clear focus on overcoming the barriers to homeownership.
“We will be strategic on where there are opportunities for Black Americans to purchase homes,” Thomas said. “We will focus our advocacy efforts on specific parts of the country and policies and practices that can be changed.”
Under Thomas's leadership, the organization is committed to addressing the barriers that limit homeownership gains, a commitment that can instill hope and optimism in families and individuals seeking to buy a home. Thomas said they will also highlight the issue of affordability. “There are opportunities to pilot new lending programs that speak specifically to affordability,” he proclaimed, adding they will highlight areas of the country where homes are affordable.
“NAREB and Dr. Rose have done a great job in terms of branding the mission and pinpointing the challenges,” said Thomas, adding that now the organization must help families overcome the barriers so they can purchase homes. He acknowledged that the current political climate is impacting public policies and even private practices.
“We are very concerned,” Thomas said. “The messaging seems to be that families are just on their own and don’t need any assistance climbing to the next level. That is a challenge for Black families when redlining and other discriminatory policies still exist.”
During her tenure, Dr. Rose spearheaded several significant initiatives, including a Community Building Wealth Tour, a NAREB Developers Academy, and comprehensive research reports on appraisal bias, heirs' property, and the role of women in real estate. These initiatives have significantly contributed to the organization's mission to create Democracy in Housing. Read more here.
The Five Pillars of NAREB
3. Diversity & Inclusion / Small Business
The majority of NAREB members are small businesses that qualify for most diversity and inclusion initiatives. We will focus our attention on educating and informing NAREB members about the income generation possibilities available through minority certifications and minority procurement opportunities. This initiative will also focus on strengthening leadership skills, business development, and mentorship. As important, NAREB will reach back into our communities to serve on local board and commissions to add our expertise as it relates to housing needs in our communities as well as inspire the next generation of real estate entrepreneurs through participation in career days on college and high school campuses.
4. Multi-Generational Wealth Building
NAREB understands that wealth building concepts, plans, and execution should be addressed on a multi-generational basis. In that regard, NAREB has developed age and life-style specific initiatives to reach and inform audiences about wealth building and homeownership. NAREB initiatives include: (1) the NAREB Youth Leadership Academy, (2) the NAREB Millennial Movement – focused on Gen Z and Millennial consumers, and (3) Efforts to inform senior citizens on key elements to prepare for and keep legacy wealth.
5. Government Relations / Advocacy
Over the course of NAREB’s rich history, barriers to homeownership have been identified, addressed, and eliminated based upon the association’s commitment to advocacy on behalf of equality and opportunity in our profession and for Black Americans seeking homeownership of their choice. NAREB will always use its powerful voice in support of support legislation or regulatory change designed to increase Black homeownership. Through our State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) report and our monthly SHIBA Bytes, NAREB will continue to educate, inform, and share with our members, elected and appointed officials, our community and its organizations on the homeownership needs of Black Americans and its importance to build wealth as well as strengthening communities.
Join a Committee
- NAREB's mission focuses on enhancing the professional and business conditions of its members and advocating for fair housing and sustainable homeownership.
- Committees provide opportunities to learn about specific areas of the real estate industry, develop leadership skills, and stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.
- Committee work facilitates networking with fellow Realtist, industry leaders, and potential partners, expanding your professional connections and creating opportunities for collaboration.
- NAREB prioritizes serving the needs of underserved communities, and committee work allows you to contribute to initiatives that promote fair housing and economic opportunity in these areas.
- Committee participation provides valuable opportunities to develop leadership skills, including collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.
- Advance Within the Organization: Committee work can serve as a pathway to leadership roles within NAREB at the local or national level.
Tech Corner
Katie Lance is the founder and CEO of Katie Lance Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping real estate agents and brokers grow their businesses using social media, video marketing, and AI without demanding a huge time commitment. She is a nationally recognized keynote speaker who has worked with companies like RE/MAX International, DocuSign, Realtor.com, and PNC Mortgage. Grab Katie's latest freebies here: https://www.katielance.com/freebies
Marki Lemons Ryhal is a keynote speaker, licensed Managing Broker, and founder of ReMarkiTable, LLC. With more than 30 years of experience in real estate marketing and education, she has taught over a million professionals—from agents to brokers—how to achieve impressive returns on their marketing efforts using AI, social media, and innovative strategy. Grab Marki's 111 AI Prompts here: https://www.markilemons.com/111-ai-prompts
Christine George is the founder and CEO of Post & Beam Creative, a branding and marketing boutique dedicated to helping real estate professionals stand out in a crowded market. With over 30 years of experience in real estate franchising, brokerage, and consumer packaged goods, Christine helps agents and teams uncover their unique strengths and create brands that connect authentically with clients. Grab her freebies at: https://www.postandbeamcreative.com/freebies
