Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris, designated managing broker of EXIT Strategy Realty/EMA Management on the South Side of Chicago, was named the 2023 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year at the state association’s Winter Business Meetings in Bloomington-Normal today. The award honors individuals whose dedication to excellence has profoundly enhanced the industry.

Morris has been a leader in the real estate industry with his local association, the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Illinois REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®.

As the 2022 Illinois REALTORS® President, Morris led the state association and its more than 50,000 members during the launch of the association’s American Dream of Homeownership campaign. He now serves as immediate past president.

Morris began his real estate career in 1989. He is a member and past president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and was named its local REALTOR® of the year in 2013. The Chicago association awards a Zeke Morris Scholarship supporting the education efforts of those who have shown a commitment to the stabilization and economic development of southside Chicago communities.

At the state level, Morris has been involved in a number of working groups and committees and has chaired the Finance Committee, Housing Opportunity Working Group, the Bylaws Committee, the Public Policy and Government Affairs Member Involvement Group and the State Legislative Contacts Working Group. He has served multiple terms on the Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors and is the state association’s first African American president.

Morris understands the power a strong REALTOR® political advocacy program can have on the industry. He is among an elite group of REALTORS® nationwide who have been inducted into the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Hall of Fame for lifetime contributions of at least $25,000.

At the national level, Morris is serving on the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Board of Directors and was its 2020 Liaison for Community Engagement. Morris has lent his expertise to a variety of committees including Housing Opportunity, Diversity, Federal Housing Policy, Risk Management Issues, State and Local Issues Policy Committee, Smart Growth Advisory Board and the Multicultural Real Estate Leadership Advisory Group. Morris chaired NAR’s Fair Housing Act Anniversary Working Group and the Fair Housing Act Anniversary Implementation Group and helped spearhead the national association’s efforts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act in 2018.

Morris earned a bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University and is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and is involved in the church’s housing ministry.

He also serves as president of the board of directors for Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., a Chicago human services organization that offers educational programs, child development, senior services, vocational training, mental health and residential services.

Congratulations to Zeke Morris, who will be formally recognized and celebrated at the REALTOR® of the Year Award banquet April 24 in Springfield!