REALTOR® of the Year

2026 REALTOR^® of the Year

Twala Lockett-Jones

From childhood dreams to a thriving career, Twala Lockett-Jones has always been captivated by real estate. Growing up on Kalamazoo’s Northside, she developed an early fascination with buildings and land, envisioning new possibilities. Her parents’ property visits fueled her imagination, and by age ten, she was building her own backyard clubhouse.

At 19, inspired by her sister’s footsteps, Twala purchased her first home—vowing never to pay rent again. She began her career at Pierson Real Estate, where she discovered her passion for helping others achieve homeownership. Licensed in 1996, she thrived under the mentorship of Broker Willie Mae Pierson and later founded Lockett-Jones Realty Group in 2019.

The events of 2020 reignited her purpose. Seeing the racial gap in homeownership—where Black buyers averaged age 47 compared to white buyers in their early 30s—she launched the 40.40.40 Challenge to help close the gap by empowering 40 Black families under 40 to become homeowners within 40 months. Her team exceeded the goal, guiding 44 families to homeownership in just 18 months.

Beyond real estate, Twala is a community advocate, author, and entrepreneur. She founded Girls Build Kalamazoo, a nonprofit inspiring girls to explore careers in construction, STEM, and real estate, and serves on several committees dedicated to equitable housing and neighborhood revitalization.

As an author, Twala wrote Princess Mackie Buys a House, which has sold over 20,000 copies and is used in schools nationwide to teach underserved communities about the importance and achievability of homeownership. The book has opened doors for her to speak on national stages, sharing messages of faith, financial literacy, and generational wealth.

Grounded in faith and family, Twala and her husband, Kenneth, own a small construction company and several rental units, transforming neglected properties into dignified, affordable housing. Through Lockett-Jones Realty Group, she continues to deliver high-touch service and innovative strategies that help clients build wealth, strengthen communities, and close the homeownership gap.

Nominations

The nomination period for the 2027 REALTOR^® of the Year is September 1^st through September 15^th, 2026.

Important Details:

• Nomination period is September 1^st - 4:30 pm, September 15^th, annually.
• Nominees must be a Primary Member of GKAR.
• Nominees must possess a current Michigan Real Estate License.
• Nominees must have been a GKAR Member for a minimum of five consecutive years.
• Self-nominations are permitted.
• Nominees cannot be a current officer, newly-elected officer, or former REALTOR^® of the Year.
• The recipient will be honored at the local level and recognized at the GKAR Installation & State of the Association Holiday Luncheon. 
• The REALTOR^® of the Year name will be submitted to Michigan REALTORS^® (MR) for consideration as MR of the Year and shall be the guest of GKAR at the appropriate MR Convention.

REALTOR® of the Year Recipients