Illinois REALTORS® Immediate Past President Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris has been named as the association’s 2023 REALTOR® of the Year. The award, which was bestowed at the Year Banquet in Springfield on April 24, honors his dedication to excellence and impact on the industry.

Morris began his real estate career in 1989 and is the designated managing broker of EXIT Strategy Realty/EMA Management on the South Side of Chicago. He has also dedicated years of service to Realtor associations at the local, state and national level.

At the local level, Morris served as president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and
was named REALTOR® of the Year for that association in 2013. CAR now awards Zeke Morris scholarships which support those committed to the stabilization and economic development of Chicago’s South and West Sides.

In late 2021, Morris made history by becoming the first Black president of Illinois REALTOR®. While leading Illinois REALTORS® throughout 2022, Morris launched the association’s American Dream of Homeownership campaign.

At the national level, Morris serves on the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Board of Directors and has chaired the organization’s Fair Housing Act Anniversary Working Group and Fair Housing Act Anniversary Implementation Group, helping to spearhead a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act in 2018. Morris is also one of few Realtors to be inducted into the REALTORS® Political Action Committee Hall of Fame.

Outside of real estate, Morris serves as president of the board of directors for Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., a Chicago human services organization that offers educational programs, residential services and more.