One month ago today, history was made!! I was appointed to the (National) Appraisal Foundation!! (The foundation is authorized by congress as the source for appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications) & I am the youngest African American / Black ever appointed to the Board of Trustees in the almost 40 year history of the Appraisal Foundation!! I will serve a 4 year term starting in 2025. It was a rigorous process selection process. ○ First round was 78 candidates for 3 public positions (with 2 of the candidates being incumbents already on the board) ○ 2nd round was narrowed to 19 candidates for virtual interviews ○ Then they flew 11 candidates out to Indianapolis for the final in person/public interviews. ○ 2 incumbents got back in and yours truly, Bilal K. Shareef, was the one new member to get in. ○ Other 3 positions trustees were appointment recommendations from partner organizations like NSREA and two others organizations. Congrats to all members appointed and congrats to all that made it to the 3rd round. We all were more than qualified and I'm honored to have been selected. However, the work doesn't stop here, it actually just starts. We all know the issues plaguing our communities related to appraisal bias and disparities. I might be the youngest African American ever appointed, but one goal is mine is to open up the appraisal space to other qualified minorities and for someone even younger than myself to breakthrough barriers and even make it to the board of trustees. Shoutout to all my mentors, the Realtist & Realtor organizations that allowed me to lead , and my brother/mentor Thaddaus Dawson with the 10K Minority Appraisers Foundation that have all uniquely put me in position and prepared me for this opportunity! If I'm at the table, we're all at the table. #AppraisalFoundation #BoardofTrustees