William S. Harps DEI Award
Recognition of Diversity
The William S. Harps DEI Award recognizes an Appraisal Institute Member who exemplifies the value of diversity, equity and inclusion in the valuation profession, and has contributed to making the profession reflective of all the communities we serve.
William S. Harps, MAI, was the first African American to earn the MAI designation (1960). He was a past president of American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (1981) and a leader in breaking racial barriers in the appraisal profession. Harps passed in 2009.
Sharon B. Harbin
MAI, SRA, AI-GRS
William S. Harps DEI Award 2026
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Beginning in 2026, our national awards will once again be presented at the AI Annual Conference. These honors are among the highest recognitions in our organization, and presenting them during our largest gathering reflects their true significance. To align with this return to a time-honored approach, the nomination deadline for all 2027 awards has been extended to December 1, 2026.