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Ex-NAR employee alleges sexual and racial discrimination

Suit claims retaliation after president Kenny Parcell harassed female workers

National Association of Realtors' Kenny Parcell (Getty, National Association of Realtors)
National Association of Realtors' Kenny Parcell (Getty, National Association of Realtors)

A former employee accused the National Association of Realtors of sexual and racial discrimination in a new lawsuit centered on president Kenny Parcell and his treatment of female employees.

Janelle Brevard, who worked as chief storyteller for NAR from 2019 to 2022, filed the lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday. In the suit reported by Inman, Brevard claims she was singled out because she is Black, along with being harassed and fired after breaking off a relationship with Parcell. 

The suit is against the trade organization and despite being named, Parcell is not a defendant in the lawsuit. 

In the lawsuit, Brevard alleged she and Parcell, while he was serving as president-elect of the group, started a relationship that included explicit conversations and requests for “sexual favors.” 

Brevard claims she told Parcell last June she was ready to break off the relationship. The complaint said Parcell “threatened to retaliate,” and began excluding her from meetings and activities where she would have normally been included.

Brevard alleged she was fired for failing to disclose the relationship with Parcell. She said she was fired in retaliation, noting she had no disciplinary or negative performance history at the trade group and was let go after she met with attorneys regarding the alleged harassment. Parcell became president two months after Brevard’s dismissal.

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Three other women — who are white — also addressed Parcell’s behavior with attorneys, according to the suit, but none were fired. The complaint said the women accused Parcell of sending inappropriate messages, placing a female employee’s hands on his genitals and berating a pregnant co-worker.

NAR disputed the claims in the lawsuit. 

“It is our practice to fully investigate all claims that are brought to our attention and take action, as warranted,” NAR vice president of communications Mantill Williams told Inman. “We reject the claims filed in this lawsuit and we will vigorously defend against them.”

Brevard is seeking an award for lost pay and benefits, compensation for pain, suffering and emotional damages, and to be reinstated to her former post. 

Brevard served as the trade group’s chief storyteller from August 2019 to September 2022; it appears that position is no longer active at NAR. Since separating from the organization, Brevard has held a number of jobs, according to her LinkedIn profile, including a Century 21 Realtor and vice president of communications for the National Fair Housing Alliance.

— Holden Walter-Warner

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DiscriminationNational Association Of RealtorsReal Estate Lawsuits