AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keller Williams (KW), the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, was recognized on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2023. KW ranked No. 171 out of 500 companies.
“We celebrate our differences,” said Gary Keller, executive chairman, KW. “And, we strive to be the empowering community where everyone belongs and anyone can thrive.”
Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to compile their annual list of America's Best Employers for Diversity.
To determine the rankings, Statista surveyed more than 45,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees. Participants were asked to anonymously rate their organizations based on criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability, and LGBTQ+ equality, as well as general diversity.
“It's more important than ever to meet the changing needs of our increasingly diverse consumers,” said Julia Lashay Israel, head of inclusion and belonging, KW. “By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices within our agent’s businesses, we’re empowering and serving our communities best.”
In 2020, KW added “Equity: Opportunities for all” to its core belief system, resulting from a unanimous vote of its International Agent Leadership Council.
In 2021, KW launched two agent-focused DEI courses. “The Color of Real Estate" offers an in-depth overview of Fair Housing Act policy as well as historic practices that have added to the homeownership gap in the U.S.
"Unconscious Bias in Real Estate" raises awareness of the brain's unconscious production of bias and its impact on housing. To date, more than 17,000 agents have taken the combined offerings.
In 2022, KW unveiled Agent of Distinction, a diversity certification for agents and leaders. To date, more than 700 agents have achieved the certification.
Created by agents for agents, KW’s affinity groups also seek to link people with similar backgrounds, experiences, and interests to provide a place for social inclusion, belonging, and business growth.
Current groups include the KW Rainbow Network, KW Coalition of Hispanics for Progressive Action, Hispanic Leaders of Real Estate, KW Pan-Asian Network, KW Black Real Estate Network, Lady Leaders of Real Estate, KW Signs, KW Alliance of Persians for Purposeful Action, KW Arabic, KW Special Needs, and KW Simcha.
To view the full rankings, go to https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-diversity/.
About Keller Williams
Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams, the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, has more than 1,100 offices and 189,000 agents. The franchise is also No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States.
Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven and education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. For more information, visit headquarters.kw.com.
