The Royal Affair Journal 2022

Greetings Distinguished Guests, Realtist® Family and Friends ,

Thank you for joining us to celebrate the contributions and achievements of those who have worked tirelessly throughout this year in pursuit of one mission, to increase generational wealth in the black community through home ownership. As we are living in uncertain times, one thing that remains constant is the dedication of a Realtist® in serving their respective communities.

For those not familiar with NAREB®, the “Premier Network of Black Real Estate Professionals”, it is my wish that you leave tonight’s festivities with an understanding of the spirit and mission of the oldest black real estate trade organization in the country. Bound together in the spirit of servant leadership, passion for the mission, and perseverance through adversity, is the embodiment of a Realtist®.

Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to network with like minded individuals constantly looking for ways to reduce the racial wealth gap though homeownership. Realtist® members are equipped to engage the community from a grassroot level to reaching the highest levels of government, speaking with one voice for a community often unheard and overlooked.

Be intentional in the connections made tonight and stay connected throughout 2022 and beyond. Realtist® connections will become lifelong and are certain to enhance your career and perspective. As President, I thank you for allowing me to serve our members, community, and industry.

Respectfully, Qiana Jones

Columbus Realtist® Association President

Greetings Realtists, Family & Friends,

Welcome to “The Royal Affair” Installation & Awards Gala!

This event shares in the accomplishments of the members who have steadfastly served the unserved and the underserved. REALTISTS® have an unwavering commitment to the communities that we serve.

In recent years, many have faced the loss of jobs, the devastating results of COVID, and other economic hardships which resulted in damaged credit, foreclosures, and hopelessness. Today, many are facing increasing interest rates that are prohibiting them from becoming homeowners. It is our obligation to guide them along the path and work collectively as REALTISTS®, lenders, housing counseling agencies and other industry professional to become a beacon of light for them. Our communities are counting on us.

The theme of KNOWLEDGE, POWER and PERSISTANCE, is key for homeownership today. As REALTISTS®, it is our responsibility to impart knowledge to the community by teaching the skills necessary to position buyers to guide seamlessly though the homebuying process. By learning the skills, they will now have the Power. By being persistent, they will now succeed in their goals.

I hope you will leverage this networking opportunity, get involved with the Columbus REALTIST® Association and stand for the one common goal we all have. We need many committed allies to get involved and to stay involved. We must continue working towards the path of building communities, creating housing opportunities and letting everyone know that Home Ownership is possible.

In Realtist Spirit,

Vanessa B Sutton

Vanessa B. Sutton

Vanessa B. Sutton Columbus Realtist® Association Gala Chair

WELCOME LETTER

A reflection of the past three months as Region VIII (Indiana, Michigan & Ohio) Regional Vice President for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, NAREB, I have grown to know the board leaders throughout the region. The board visits, attendance at special events, installation of new officers, and assistance to new boards with joining the NAREB family, has been a rewarding experience. It is an honor to serve.

Region VIII have outstanding leadership and the Columbus REALTIST Association is one that shines bright in the region. Congratulations CRA on your “Royal Affair” Installation and Awards Gala. As Region VIII Regional Vice President, it makes me proud as I witness your service to the Columbus and surrounding community.

My pledge to you Columbus REALTIST is to support you as you continue to advocate for the common denominator that we all share, “Democracy in Housing.” Stand tall Columbus REALTIST as “The Premiere Network of Black Real Estate Professionals.” Thank you for your service. Continue to make us proud. Congratulations Columbus REALTIST! Making the Best of the Best, Better!

Carolyn P. Jackson NAREB Region VIII RVP

Congratulations Columbus REALTIST Family!

2022 BOARD OFFICERS

Qiana Jones, President Bryce Mathis, 3rd Vice President Pauline Buck, Secretary Rubye Wright, Treasurer Sheree Smoot-Johnson, Immediate Past President

“Columbus is one of the greatest cities in the country. However, rapid growth has the potential to create social and economic divides. The responsibility to mitigate the unintended effects of urban development on our vulnerable communities is crucial to the longevity of a thriving, diverse economy for all.”

Councilmember Shayla D. Favor has served the residents of Columbus on City Council since January 2019. She is Chair of the Housing, Health & Human Services, and Criminal Justice and Judiciary Committees.

Prior to joining Council, Favor served as an Assistant City Attorney in Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office. As a Zone Attorney, Favor had the opportunity to litigate high profile environmental lawsuits, advise administrative and local governmental agencies, and draft several pieces of legislation. Favor worked alongside the leaders of our city and community to provide essential city services to improve Columbus’ neighborhoods and facilitate conversations to address criminal activity, vacancies, abandonment, and blight.

While serving as a Zone Attorney, Favor implemented two initiatives to address our City’s blight; the Vacant and Abandoned Property program, along with Receivership program, have both addressed blight through enforcement, demolition and rehabilitation. These initiatives have effectively helped to decrease our vacant and abandoned property count and to put once blighted properties back into the housing market.

The manifestation of the disparities that lie within historically marginalized communities can be identified through the examination of the racial wealth gap, the lack of access to employment opportunities, quality education, health care and affordable housing. As a member of Council, Favor is intentional about focusing her work to ensure that everything she legislates and advocates for is filtered through an equity lens in order to address these disparities and combat racism through policy. In just two years, Favor created the Columbus Youth Council, spearheaded the effort to amplify and fund Deliver Black Dreams, expanded the City’s effort to protect immigrant and refugee families through the Columbus Families Together Fund, legislated policies intended to address housing insecurity with the Housing for All legislative package, and advocating for public safety reforms with the Reimagining Safety Initiative.

In addition to serving on Council, Favor serves as the President of Partners Achieving Community Transformation, a non profit organization that is working to create a healthy, financially, and environmentally sustainable community where residents have access to safe and affordable housing, quality healthcare and education, and employment opportunities. Favor is also serving as a visiting Professor at Denison University, where she is teaching a class on the history of racism and housing.

Favor lives on the Near East side of Columbus with her husband Corey Favor and their adorable puppy Hudson. ♥

MISTRESS OF CEREMONY

Marcie Littlejohn is a native of Columbus, Ohio and grew up in a single parent home. Her mother worked hard to ensure that her family was not dependent on public assistance and had the basic necessities and understood the importance of doing better and getting the most out of life. Littlejohn was the first of her two siblings to graduate from college, became an entrepreneur, and was successful in earning six figures. While earning her salary, she sought ways to maintain her income with the intention of leaving a legacy. She sought out a financial advisor who taught her how to save for retirement but did not know how to advise her on credit and complete wealth building.

To date Littlejohn has been successful in obtaining both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and during the process of obtaining her second degree, she realized that there is limited information about how to educate individuals on becoming finally fit and even bigger, acquiring wealth. Littlejohn began personally investing at the age of 22 when advised to do so by a group of colleagues who were registered nurses. At that time, she had limited information about the effect of credit as well as building wealth. In 2016 Littlejohn realized that there had to be something done to assist other people with understanding how to become financially fit and build wealth, and that’s when she reconnected with undergraduate colleague Harrison Gilmer who introduced her to United Credit Education Services.

While working as an entrepreneur with United Credit Education Services, Littlejohn has been successful in speaking across the country to individuals on how to build wealth by becoming financially fit and building tools that are necessary for wealth. Her most recent speaking engagement with Discover Card provided the opportunity to speak about developing wealth for urban youth. She has a strong passion for leadership and has participated in paid speaking engagements in which she had educated her audiences on the importance of leadership and financially literacy. She is a published author and is currently working in her doctorate degree.

Littlejohn and her significant other David are proud parents of three, David II, 20, Nadia, 4, and Kaidance, 3. When she is not working to assist the country with becoming financially fit, she enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her family, and seeking ways to get to the beach. She enjoys being in the presence of like minded individuals and looks forward to assisting her community with becoming financially fit and leaving family legacies. ♥

Dylan Burk is a 17 year-old Sax-Sation. Dylan began his exciting musical voyage of artistic discovery at the age of 7, playing classical piano. Since then, he has worked with world-renowned classical and blues instructors to hone his signature sound. In 2021 DMB Lyn released his first CD, Philosophy, featuring his popular song and video "Bad Emotions."

Quianna Simpson carries wide swathes of experience in a myriad of dance forms which have informed her teaching. Her technique is firmly rooted in traditional west African dance. During and after undergraduate studies with NSU, she worked the dance audition circuit, auditioning and successfully selected to open for heavy hitters like P. Diddy, Usher and Ludacris. She was then hired full time with R&B group Blackstreet. In Columbus she is a "community dancer" and is known throughout central Ohio as a community teacher. This fueled her to return to school and begin her MFA journey with OSU. Her work with her current company Thiossane Institute she serves as assistant for the children’s company, rehearsal director and technique consultant. Quianna serves on the board for OhioDance and supports the development of artist through her position at the Lincoln Theatre, curating local artists to be a part of the Black Arts experience in Columbus. 

worked the dance audition circuit, auditioning and successfully selected to open for heavy hitters like P. Diddy, Usher and Ludacris. She was then hired full time with R&B group Blackstreet In Columbus she is a "community dancer" and is known throughout central Ohio as a community teacher. This fueled her to return to school and begin her MFA journey with OSU. Her work with her current company Thiossane Institute she serves as assistant for the children’s company, rehearsal director and technique consultant. Quianna serves on the board for OhioDance and supports the development of artist through her

BECOME A MEMBER!

There are many brokers, sales associates and affiliates whose social consciousness and philosophies are consistent with those advocated by the Realtist® . All such persons and firms are invited to become a part of the Columbus Realtist® Association.

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The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc.® (NAREB®) is the oldest and largest African American trade organization. A national coalition of minority real estate professionals came together for the expressed purpose of mutual sharing of knowledge and experiences to improve performance in the profession.

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