Editor’s note: In celebration of Black History Month, we are featuring eXp Realty agents who are sharing their stories of service, values and commitments.
LaShawn Peterson and Towanna Jackson are a dynamic couple in marriage, but the love they share extends to a much wider circle.
In their home city of Detroit, Team Peterson-Jackson is dedicated to encouraging Black ownership of real estate. They’re also laser-focused on building a network where real estate agents of color are celebrated, educated and compensated.
“Home ownership is the first brick in a ‘wealth house’ for creating generational wealth. We want our folks to really start buying houses,’’ Towanna said, adding: “Likewise, there’s a huge income gap between white Realtors and their Black, Hispanic/Latino and Asian counterparts.”
According to the National Association of Realtors, median gross income for white Realtors was $49,400 in 2021. For Black Realtors, it was $16,700. For Hispanics $26,600 and for Asian/Pacific Islanders, it was $27,400.
“While many organizations look for reasons why the statistics occur, we’re looking for ways to change the statistics,’’ Towanna said.
LaShawn and Towanna Find a Welcoming Home at eXp Realty
Part of that change was joining eXp Realty in 2019. Within weeks, the women said, the difference was apparent. Having experienced first-hand homophobia at their previous brokerages, LaShawn said Team Peterson-Jackson were immediately relieved at the level playing field and open encouragement the eXp Realty network fosters and encourages.
Listen to LaShawn and Towanna’s podcast conversation with eXp World Holdings Founder, CEO and Chairman, Glenn Sanford:
“People from diverse backgrounds can be themselves and are comfortable expressing ideas and that really made the switch worth it,’’ Towanna said.
It took Team Peterson-Jackson virtually no time to build a 151-member team for collaboration.
“And we haven’t even scratched the surface,’’ Towanna said.
Learn More About LaShawn Peterson and Towanna Jackson:
Gross sales and transactions in 2022: $10 million on 75 transactions
Brokerage history:
LaShawn:
- eXp Realty (Oct. 2019-present)
- Keller Williams (2017-Sept. 2019)
Towanna:
- eXp Realty (Oct. 2019-present)
- Keller Williams (Feb. 2018-Sept. 2019)
- Bowers Realty (2016- 2017)
Accolades, accomplishments & awards:
- Team Peterson-Jackson – Recognized 2020 by Homesnap for Excellence in Client Service
- Detroit Choice Award – Detroit’s Favorite Realtor 2022; LaShawn Peterson
- eXp Realty ICON agent 2021, 2022
- PropertySpark as “Top 20 Detroit Real Estate Agents” 2019
- PropertySpark “Top 50 Realtors on Social Media Michigan” 2019
- Homesnap Top 5% Award for 2021, 2022
- eXp Capper 2020, 2021, 2022
When and why did you align your business together?
“We were married on Valentine’s Day of 2016,” said LaShawn. “To cure Towanna’s stay-at-home spouse blues, I inspired her to pursue her license. I knew real estate and Towanna’s outgoing personality would be a good fit. Towanna agreed and quickly found success in real estate which motivated me to quit my successful IT career in 2021 and join Towanna. Our greatest assets are the mentorship and coaching offered to new and top producing Realtors.”
What makes eXp special to you?
“The company leadership cares about agent success. It is well organized. Agents have access to many of the tools you need to be successful; kvCORE with its robust CRM and lead generation strategies including a website, landing and squeeze pages, Skyslope for your transaction management and digital signing, and the eXp Marketing Center, which makes farming neighborhoods affordable for newer agents.”
Is there a significant experience you can share since you joined eXp?
“In June 2021 we attended the Black eXp Network (BEN) Mid-Summer Summit in Puerto Rico. Meeting the leadership of the company, Fee Gentry and Gene Frederick, and talking freely about the problems agents who are from marginalized communities experience made a deep impression. Leadership not only identified the problems, but they also gave solutions, and introduced them to others in the company who had successfully maneuvered their career. Attending the summit opened the door to building relationships with others in top leadership positions at eXp. It let us know that we were a part of a global company that cares.”
What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?
“Supportive and collaborative leadership. Leaders like Jessica Nieto, who continually inspires the team by exposing us to inspirational people in the field of real estate. Inspired people have stronger drives to master their careers and are more intrinsically motivated. Another surprise was the knowledge and “trade secrets” that top producers share at the national events.”
Have you had any experience or success around eXp’s global revenue share and commercial businesses yet?
“Team Peterson-Jackson began as a domestic team and in August 2022 expanded to a traditional team. In February 2023 we will add a commercial division to our business. Tapping into eXp’s commercial sector is crucial to develop community wealth, for the agents we attract. Our goal is to open a door and introduce minority talent in an industry that has lagged in diversity and where minorities have been underrepresented. Finding an agent to jump-start the division was more difficult than originally thought. Out of a downline of roughly 150 minority residential agents, none were willing to focus primarily on commercial. Residential real estate is easier to break into and getting in the commercial door comes with a lot more obstacles. We are dedicated to cultivating strong educational foundations in the commercial sector and looking to partner with similar-minded organizations.”
What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?
“In 2020, we – along with our friend and business partner Danielle Dunham – affectionately named our downline, The Real Estate Collaboration (REC). The mission of the REC comes directly from eXp’s core values. From the very first introduction to eXp Realty events with the Mid-Summer Summit hosted by BEN to the Central Sprint events hosted by eXp’s “Alpha’s & Beta’s” every agent/ broker they encountered has given a jewel, poured information into and offered blessings for Team Peterson-Jackson’s success. The reason we are able to attract agents to the REC is because of the family atmosphere and the training. In addition to the 80 hours of training in eXp World, the REC ICONs rotate teaching negotiation, sales, marketing, investment, business credit and other customer service classes. This was a tip Team Peterson-Jackson picked up from an Alpha producer at the Tennessee sprint event.”
Best tip to share with other agents:
Towanna: “Spend time studying your craft. We are charged with helping people make the largest single transaction of their life. The client deserves an agent that understands the entire process and is dedicated to client success.”
LaShawn: “Be prepared to do the work. There is a science to selling real estate. Work your sphere of influence, follow-up; follow-up; follow-up and come from a place of service.”
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