Racial justice and the real estate industry…
After growing up in a real estate family, becoming a REALTOR in 2002, opening my own brokerage in 2008, and then growing and leading a strong high-performing team for 10 years, I started to see that my values of social/racial justice and equality for all people were rubbing up against my real estate brokerage model in a way I was uncomfortable about. With the help of some brilliant and committed teachers, I was challenged to take an honest look at the ways in which the real estate industry has systemically denied access and opportunity to certain groups of people. This desire and passion led me to step away from the role of head of operations in our company, Alvarado Group, and commit myself full time to co-leading an experimental restructuring of the company — as well as co-creating Own It: Building Black Wealth and offering what I’ve learned with you in a variety of ways.
Speaking: as an experienced public, motivational speaker, you can hire me to speak to your association, brokerage, team, or any group of real estate and banking professionals [click here].
Workshops: 2-4 hour interactive, larger group sessions for real estate/banking professionals to dive deeper into content and learning [click here].
Reach out to schedule a discovery call with me for more information on how to work with me.
“Sara’s values, ideas, real life experiences and incredible passion to improve the impact of real estate agents and the real estate industry on behalf of ALL people – particularly those most marginalized – is unquestioned. We need leadership to guide us through change, to conduct the tough and courageous conversations that will lead us to be better. Sara is one of those leaders.”
~Kevin King, Former Executive Vice President of the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin and Wisconsin Realtors Association (1988-2019)
ALVARADO GROUP at COMPASS: This is our family real estate team that serves the Greater Madison, Wisconsin area. As the co-founder, co-owner with my husband, Carlos Alvarado, we are committed to exploring and practicing ways to operate a real estate team with a racial justice framework. One of the leading questions is: Is it possible to participate in real estate without contributing to the inequities embedded in the system? We commit to being an anti-racist real estate brokerage and work with coaches who hold us accountable. If you are seeking a real estate professional to work with, please reach out to us at info@thealvaradogroup.com.
I’m proud to be the Co-Founder of Own It: Building Black Wealth, a transformative initiative to increase generational wealth in Black and brown communities through homeownership. Driven by Madison-area community members and professionals in the real estate, banking, and financial sectors, this private-sector collaboration offers two critical components: a financial education program and access to $19,000 down payment grants with no payback required. In partnership with One City Schools, Centro of Dane County, and Anesis Therapy, we’re removing barriers, creating access, and building generational wealth. Please visit our website to learn more and follow us on facebook, instagram, and linkedin.
