NAIOP Southern California is committed to growing diversity throughout the organization, both in its membership and leadership. Earlier this year, the organization launched a diversity and inclusion task force to focus on creating a strategy to tackle diversity—and it seemed to be just ahead of the conversation that has exploded in recent weeks.

"Earlier this year we launched a Diversity Task Force to implement meaningful actions that bring greater diversity to the commercial real estate industry. We acknowledge that we need to do better," Tim Jemal, CEO of NAIOP SoCal, tells GlobeSt.com. "We've already identified a few actions that include making specific recommendations on increasing representation by people of color in the commercial real estate industry, within our membership, on our committees, and on our Board of Directors."

The organization also plans to play a role in increasing diversity within the industry, beyond the organization's walls. That will include playing an active role in the community. "Taking a leadership role in community and youth outreach programs, providing educational resources, and building a path for black communities and all people of color to have greater access to the commercial real estate industry," says Jemal.