{"id":10288,"date":"2023-11-16T02:14:20","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T02:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=10288"},"modified":"2023-11-16T02:14:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T02:14:20","slug":"the-greater-toledo-realtist-associations-masquerade-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/16\/the-greater-toledo-realtist-associations-masquerade-night\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greater Toledo Realtist Association\u2019s Masquerade Night"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Board of Directors of the GTRA present Harvey Savage Jr. with a $1000 donation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Dawn Scotland<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Greater Toledo Realtist Association held their second annual Masquerade Night at the Casino Fundraiser at St. Clement\u2019s Hall Saturday November 4. The proceeds of the fundraiser will support future programming for the organization and provide a $1,000 donation to MLK Kitchen for The Poor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a party with a purpose,\u201d stated founding president of TGRA Rob Pasker. \u201cWe\u2019re coming together to raise funds for our mission of \u2018fighting for democracy in housing.\u2019\u201d Pasker along with 12 founding members created the branch in 2019. \u201cWe\u2019re an organization of the premier Black real estate professionals and our allies within our northwest Ohio region. Our mission is to educate our community, advocate on behalf of our community and also elevate our businesses in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Greater Toledo REALTIST\u00ae Association (GTRA) is a trade association whose mission is to build a supportive infrastructure to become a positive and dominant influence in the Ohio real estate market. They aim to represent a unified voice for African Americans and other underserved populations, brokers, agents, affiliates and the clients they serve.<\/p>\n

The group is a local board of The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB\u00ae), that was formed in 1947 by African American real estate professionals out of a need to secure the right to equal housing opportunities, regardless of race, creed or color.<\/p>\n

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Neaira Williams and Danielle Cooper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The goal locally, said Pasker, is to increase the Black home ownership rate. \u201c76 percent of white households own their properties while only 36 percent of Black households own their properties,\u201d he stated. \u201cThe majority of Americans build their net worth by owning their homes. That homeowner gaps equates to a wealth gap and that wealth gap equates to every other gap you can think of\u2026 education, health, opportunity \u2013 so we want to put more Black people in homes. Point blank period.\u201d<\/p>\n

The organization is not just an organization for realtors but anyone who is interested in breaking down barriers in Black homeownership. Within the organization there are lawyers, brokers, contractors, event planners and title reps. \u201cIt\u2019s an organization for people that are passionate about the people,\u201d remarked Pasker.<\/p>\n

Guests enjoyed food, raffles, casino games, silent auction and prizes. Music was provided by DJ Big Lou the Mayor and Montrice Terry served as the master of ceremonies. Area supporters as well as regional officers were present. The group presented Harvey Savage Jr. with a $1,000 donation for the MLK Kitchen for The Poor for his dedication to the community.<\/p>\n

Greater Toledo Realtist Association Board Members are President \u2013 Rob Pasker,\u00a0 1st<\/sup> Vice President- \u00a0Tiffany Jones, 2nd<\/sup> Vice President – Kimberly Dixon, Treasurer – De’Lisa Moore, Director – Brenda DuHart, Director – Faye Smith, \u00a0and Director – DeLise Simmons<\/p>\n

Sponsors of the event: Gold Sponsor- Fifth Third Bank; Silver Sponsor- Huntington Bank, KeyBank, Par Excel Events; Bronze Sponsor- Liberty Title Company, Inc. and 360 Keepsake Mobile Photobooth<\/p>\n

2023 Awards for exemplary members of GTRA:<\/u><\/p>\n

Partner of the Year \u2013 Faye Smith (Fifth Third Bank),<\/p>\n

Affiliate of the Year Award \u2013 Brenda Duhart<\/p>\n

Realtist of the Year Award –\u00a0 De\u2019Lisa Moore<\/p>\n

For more information on the organization contact at Greater Toledo Realtist Association (419) 969-3992 or visit toledorealtists.org<\/a> or \u00a0www.facebook.com\/TOLEDOREALTISTS<\/a>.<\/p>\n