Maurice Painting

Original oil painting on canvas commissioned by the Chicago Association of REALTORS as a gift to their outgoing 2020 Board President, Maurice Hampton. Chicago’s Chinatown Square Plaza is in the background and the foreground features a few things that Maurice accomplished as Board President of the Chicago Association of Realtors this year: 1. The logo for The 77 Diversity Committee which is comprised of Realtor representatives from each of the unique 77 neighborhoods across Chicago. The purpose of the committee is to “Tackle topics like fair housing and economic development. Engage with local chambers of commerce and quasigovernmental bodies (i.e. TIF Boards). Seek placemaking grant opportunities. Serve (via a designated representative) each community and provide local REALTORS® with answers to frequently asked questions, advice and association information." 2. An op-Ed that Maurice and CAR CEO, Michelle Mills Clement wrote together that was published in the Chicago Tribune: Commentary: As real estate agents, we want to end housing discrimination. The article recognizes and takes responsibility for the association’s behavior in the past. It also states their intention to stop discriminatory housing practices. 3. The book The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein is featured because, this summer, Maurice interviewed Richard virtually to discuss the history of housing discrimination across the US and ask questions about what we can do now to make the change that is necessary. 4. Maurice’s catch phrase for his tenure as Board President is “New Mind.” 2020 was a very non-traditional year and it has taken a non-traditional leader to be the one to step up as the pandemic hit and things drifted into unknown territory.