Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors  honored with NAR Community Outreach Award by Eliezer Rodriguez

When I received the news that The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BMNAR) will be receiving recognition from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) at the upcoming Association Executive Institute in Denver, Colorado, I was completely caught off guard. I did not know the work we did with Bronx Community Board # 9 (BCB#9) fell into a such a recognizable category.

On March 19, 2017, I stood in front of thousands of executives from across the United States to receive one of only six Community Outreach Awards. This award recognizes associations that have worked with their communities to make them a better place in which to live and do business. This is the second-time NAR has honored Realtor associations with Community Outreach Awards. To be considered for the award, associations must: have made use of Realtor Party Community Outreach resources over a two-year period to address a challenge facing their community; developed partnerships with community stakeholders; or involved the public in a project or discussion to improve the community. 

BMNAR was honored for partnering with BCB#9 to use a $2,200  NAR Placemaking Grant on a public arts project that used local artists to create a mural celebrating notable people from the Bronx, from hip-hop pioneers to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The mural has contributed to the success of a new pedestrian plaza adjacent to a rail transit station. Today, the mural has been valued at $50,000. Also, the Association took advantage of four NAR Smart Growth Grants, totaling $60,000, to work with BCB#9 to undertake long-term planning activities to change local land use and zoning. With the association’s help, BCB#9 found its voice and now can use statistical evidence, and not just what makes emotional sense, to argue what is in the best interest of their community. 

“Realtors are community leaders and are dedicated to building successful neighborhoods and advocating on behalf of homeowners,” said NAR president William Brown, a second-generation Realtor from Alamo, California and founder of Investment Properties. “I am proud to honor Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors for receiving the NAR Community Outreach Award. Through their work, they represent the value Realtors bring to their neighborhoods and communities.”

On behalf of BMNAR, I thank and share this award with the Bronx borough president, Ruben Diaz, Jr., for supporting our work; William Rivera, district manager for BCB#9, for his leadership and dedication; all the artists who worked on the mural; everyone involved in the various visioning sessions to protect the future of BCB#9; and, to my board of governors for supporting our efforts. Honestly, I must tell you, it felt GREAT to hear them say–“The Bronx!” 

For additional information on NAR’s community outreach programs and awards, please visit realtoractioncenter.com/community-outreach/.

Eliezer Rodriguez, Esq. is the executive director of The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors, Bronx, N.Y.