Florence Realtor® Keon Aldrich named SC REALTORS® first black president of association

Florence Realtor® and broker of Pee Dee Elite Realty, Keon Aldrich, has been named 2025 president of South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR). The historic nomination marks the first time a black Realtor® will hold the position in the association’s 81-year history.

“It’s an absolutely incredible and special honor to be able to pass a gavel that smashes straight through a glass ceiling,” said SCR’s president and Realtor, Reah Smith, “South Carolina REALTORS® has our first black president, and let me be the loudest to say how thrilled and proud I am to work alongside such an amazing and deserving female leader.”

Aldrich was inducted by her long-time friend and mentor, Realtor® Gary Dauksch, during a touching ceremony at SCR’s Awards Gala on December 5, 2024 at Junction 800 in Columbia. She will begin her one year term on January 1, 2025, and will lead the largest trade association in the state with more than 29,000 residential and commercial Realtor® members.

“Keon is a trailblazer whose dedication to progress, equity, and excellence has transformed our industry and set a powerful example for us all. Her leadership represents a collective step forward for diversity, inclusion, and unity in real estate,” said Dauksch.

In her role as president, Aldrich will lead the association in its role as a proponent of homeowners seeking the benefits of the American Dream by focusing on SCR’s strategic plan, which is rooted in the protection of private property rights and the transfer of real property. Specifically, the strategic plan will focus on advancing communications, advocacy, legislative goals, professionalism and engagement.

Aldrich has been working in real estate for more than 20 years. Throughout this time she has served the Pee Dee REALTOR® Association, SCR and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in many capacities. She has served as a director at the Pee Dee REALTOR® Association for 11 years. In 2018 she was voted into the position of president by its more than 600 members covering seven counties. She has also served the Multiple Listing Services boards of the association for five years.

Aldrich was secretary of SCR in 2022, treasurer in 2023, and president-elect throughout 2024. She has volunteered on many committees at the state association including legislative, grievance and professional standards. She also served as a trustee for the Region 4 REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC), and was a region 4 vice president. She is a 2017 graduate of the SCR Leadership Academy (formerly LeadershipSCR) which is a nine-month program designed to identify emerging Realtor® leaders throughout the state of South Carolina.

Aldrich has been a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) director since 2020 and is a designee of At Home with Diversity (AHWD) and Commitment to Excellence (C2EX).

“Keon is more than just the first, she is the best and right president for this season. In our leadership journey together I have watched the rooms we enter evolve, the membership engagement change, and the connections to wider segments of our membership grow. It’s who Keon is at the core, the ability to be unabashedly authentic and create that safe comfort for others to be their authentic selves that’s a part of her magic,” said Smith.

In addition to her career in real estate, Aldrich is well known throughout her community as a supporter of local non-profits including Habitat for Humanity and Harvest Hope, in which she has served as a director for both.

Aldrich is the proud wife to her husband of 19 years, Brad, and mom to daughter Kamryn, and son Brayson.