Farbman Drives DEI in Midwest Commercial Real Estate

More than 50% of commercial real estate professionals (CRE) have noticed a distinct cultural shift focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts within their industry.

As an organization that has proudly prioritized these initiatives for years, Farbman Group leads Midwest CRE firms in promoting equality of opportunity for all.

Diversity Committee  

Farbman’s Diversity Committee works collaboratively to advocate, encourage, support and celebrate DEI in our workspace. Here are just a few of the many great initiatives this committee has tackled over the past 12 months.

Farbman Group Library

An internal library for team members and their families—children included—stocked with books focused on diverse perspectives, health & wellness and continued personal & professional growth.

DEI Calendar

A calendar filled with known days of observance relevant to diversity, equity and inclusion. On major holidays—including MLK Day, Black History Month, International Day of Commemoration and more—links are circulated internally promoting events, essays and resources to help further understand and celebrate the cause.

Lunch and Learns

DEI-focused virtual programming for team members and tenants with topics taught by outside experts.

Cultural Potluck

An internal event where Farbman team members showcase their culture by bringing in food, art, clothing and more—sharing how each item represents their diverse backgrounds.

DEI Newsletter

A bi-annual newsletter circulated to team members highlighting DEI-related happenings around the country, big accomplishments related to the initiatives and more.

Day of Service

Held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, our Day of Service prompts people to make donations to social justice-driven organizations and local food banks.

Flying Flags on Properties

On holidays like Pride Month, Black History Month and more, Farbman Group hangs respective flags at all of our properties to show solidarity with each cause.

Community Relationships

Farbman Group makes use of community relationships and partnerships to bolster efforts surrounding DEI events, including:

• Spotlighting Black-owned businesses during Black History Month
• Holding fundraisers for local LGBTQ+ groups during Pride Month
• Sharing Chinese Business Association sponsor efforts on Chinese New Year
• Sharing Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce sponsor efforts on Cinco de Mayo
• Partnering with Growing Leadership of Women (GLOW) during Womens’ History Month

Children’s Book Drives

During Reading Month, we encourage team members and tenants to donate children’s books for underprivileged communities.

DEI Trivia

During certain DEI holidays, we host trivia at properties related to the occasion, and award gift cards to businesses owned by culturally relevant community members.

This is just a taste of what our Diversity Committee does to ensure DEI is observed at all levels of our organization and the commercial real estate industry at large.

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We remain committed to the wellbeing of our employees, clients and communities throughout the Midwest and beyond, and will continue to evolve our efforts as society advances in the months and years to come.