For the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR), Black History Month doesn’t end in February—we remain committed to listening, learning and growing to create a truly equitable Association for ALL Realtor® members. Throughout this year, we will celebrate the cultures and traditions of our diverse membership and recognize those in our industry or Association who exemplify the diverse, inclusive and equitable Association culture we are striving for.
Today, we recognize Past CTAR and MLS President, Realtor® Corwyn Melette, for his humble service with the local, state and national Realtor® organizations and his continued dedication to the growth and betterment of CTAR, CHS MLS and the real estate industry as a whole.
Corwyn’s Presidential year was defined by a year of new opportunities—taking on new Association office space and moving into the future with a new MLS platform. “That year, 2014, was a year of change—we changed locations, changed how we did business and we changed what our board leadership looked like” he said.
Corwyn served as the first black President of CTAR and oversaw a year of significant growth for both the Association and the MLS. As President, he welcomed the membership into a brand-new office building and alongside MLS President Ann Whalen, led our collective organizations forward with the establishment of a new, cutting-edge MLS platform.
While his legacy will be defined by creating meaningful change on multiple fronts, he began his leadership journey with the mindset of a humble volunteer. “I was not looking to break a ceiling, I just wanted to be of service. I had no intention of becoming President of our Association, but my service led me there and it was my humble honor to have occupied that seat.” Corwyn explained.
“I wanted to be a voice for those who felt they didn’t have one. For those people who are part of our population but are oftentimes underserved and definitely underrepresented—that includes people of color, low to moderate income buyers, agents that work in those spaces, agents that look like me who endeavor for a luxury business or to work in other parts of the market…I just wanted to give a voice to those people” he said.
It’s no surprise that Corwyn was an impactful leader during this pivotal year—his focus has always been on how he can support and help those around him. In 2004, he earned his real estate license and began looking to purchase investment properties for himself, knowing that real estate is a proven path to building financial strength and wealth. However, he quickly realized how important it was for him to share this knowledge with others who could benefit alongside him.
Now, as a broker owner of the Exit Realty Lowcountry Group, Corwyn leads, manages and inspires a team of 14 agents. “I get to help these agents establish and build their business. We are helping people, going against the odds, working diligently to persevere and overcome those odds—to meet the success that our clients endeavor for” said Corwyn.
In his time as a Realtor®, Corwyn has made a career out of achieving what seems impossible. In what was the most longest and most complicated transaction he’s ever completed, Corwyn accepted the challenge of selling what seemed like an unsellable house for a widowed, retired schoolteacher who had been moved to assisted living. After months of roadblocks, she thanked him for working so hard for her and he told her, “I keep seeing a light. As long as I keep seeing the light, I’m going to keep going. I don’t know what the light may be—it may be a train, or it could be the end and the opening for this sale, but whatever it is, I’m going to keep going” The perseverance paid off and at the end of a very long and trying 11-and-a-half-month process, the property closed. “She was relieved at the end, and I was so grateful to have gotten that done for her” he said.
Whether in his role as a Realtor®, now as a Broker or in one of the many positions that he’s held with CTAR, CHS MLS, South Carolina Realtors® (SCR) or the National Association of Realtors®, Corwyn embodies what it means to be a leader, and always puts service to others first.
“I do believe for our Association seeing someone of color in my role provided some sense of belonging, I’m hopeful that it did—that it gave a sense of ‘If he did it, maybe I can as well’. I hope and want our Association to be reflective of our membership—whether it’s based on demographic, race, religion—that we remain open to consider the viewpoints of others in our membership” he said.
“I believe that our association now more than ever is seemingly more inclusive—that we’re figuring out ways to provide across the board for all of our members and invite all of them to be a part of THEIR association. There is no Association without our members—and I think membership is just the minimum—our members need to get involved and are needed to lend their voices and ideas to committees and boards. That will be critical to our success in the future” said Melette.
CTAR and CHS MLS humbly thank Corwyn for his leadership, his tenacity and his willingness to do whatever he needs to do to get the job done. It is because of Realtors® like Corwyn that our organizations have grown, changed and will continue to because of the future leaders his leadership has inspired.
