Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative
TNMBA is creating opportunities for membership growth and industry promotion through intentional outreach and investment in our real estate finance communities.
Diversity: Intentional representation of different minorities or underrepresented populations with considerations of race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status.
Equity: Impartially and fairly providing access to resources and support, including investment capital and development opportunities, for minorities and underrepresented populations.
Inclusion: Fosters deliberate actions that allow all individuals or groups to feel valued by authentically engaging and participating in the capital markets.
How Our Journey Began
In 2019 TNMBA created the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Taskforce to drive alignment of our platform with the national MBA, and the intention of being more inclusive and diverse. We are exploring methods and initiatives that foster a more welcoming and diverse membership, beginning with the establishment of our goals and first initiative.
“Just as we need to attract and encourage the next generation to pursue careers in mortgage banking, we also need to recruit those from underrepresented populations to join us at every level….TNMBA quite literally must invite mortgage professionals from all walks of life to join our ranks, and equally important, we must welcome those same professionals into our leadership…. The tangible benefits to a more diverse organization include, but are not limited to more members and a diverse membership; more significant and deeper community engagement; and a more profound understanding of our consumers and potential clients.”
Jeff Tucker, CMB, 2019 TNMBA President
TNMBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals
- Diverse membership growth and inclusive engagement
- Collaborative industry promotion and equitable recruitment
To nurture our purpose, we identified our first initiative: Identity, Invite & Include. Our goal is simple—get to know one another and start building the trust required in all good partnerships and relationships.
TNMBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Taskforce
The DE&I Taskforce for TNMBA was asked to express their thoughts on our mission by using quotes. Check out what they have to share with you!
The TNMBA DE&I Taskforce meets monthly to ensure clear communication between TNMBA and the local chapters to ensure the initiative thrives via assistance and resources. The Taskforce is available to answer any questions about our mission and discuss opportunities to join our efforts. For contact information, click our names below.
Victoria Flowers
New American Funding
East TN
DE&I In Action
TNMBA welcomes you to attend our events and we’d love to be invited to yours! Come be a part of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in action.
TNMBA DE&I Scholarship
TNMBA is investing in our members. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving and qualified candidate from an underrepresented group who is pursuing education or career advancement through the MBA’s Schools of Mortgage Banking (SOMB) program or the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) program.
Get to Know Our Partners
We encourage you to liaise with our allies and partners who support our mission of attainable, affordable, and sustainable homeownership for everyone.
National Association Real Estate Broker | NAREB Nashville | Tennessee
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals – Knoxville
National MBA DE&I Resources
National MBA DE&I Path to Diversity Scholarship
The Path to Diversity Scholarship Program recognizes existing industry professionals who are seeking to advance their careers through continuing education. Recipients receive a voucher to cover course registration fees, up to a maximum of $2,000, for popular MBA Education courses and designation programs. This education opportunity enables employees from diverse backgrounds to advance their professional growth and career development.
The Home for All Pledge
The Home for All Pledge represents the industry’s long-term commitment to a sustained and holistic approach to addressing racial inequities in housing. By signing, you are agreeing to be a champion for change in addressing the barriers to sustainable housing for persons and communities of color. Through advocacy, partnerships, and connections within the industry, you pledge to support MBA’s efforts to ensure fair, equitable, and responsible lending and affordable rental housing for minorities. Pillars of the pledge include:
- Foster public policies and industry practices that promote and sustain minority homeownership and affordable rental housing.
- Support market-based solutions through MBA’s place-based CONVERGENCE programs.
- Champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) in our workplaces and our industry.