The New York Times features Dr. Raven Baxter's fair housing story on its homepage

The New York Times published Dr. Raven Baxter's fair housing story on May 31, 2024, and featured it on its homepage. Real estate reporter Debra Kamin wrote "She Made an Offer on a Condo. Then the Seller Learned She Was Black." Archived captures of nytimes.com show the story on the homepage from early that morning into June 1.

Baxter was in contract for a home in Virginia Beach, and the seller attempted to pull out of the deal upon learning she was Black. The Times described her as "a molecular biologist and science communicator."

"It was my first time buying a house. I knew my civil rights were being violated. I knew that something illegal was happening, but no one knew what to do," she told the paper.

The homepage led that morning with coverage of Donald Trump's criminal conviction. The same day, President Biden named June National Homeownership Month. In February, the National Association of Realtors had reported Black homeownership at 44.1 percent in 2022, against 72.3 percent for white Americans.

The Times set her case against federal law. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 bar sellers and their agents from discriminating in a home sale. An undercover investigation by the National Fair Housing Alliance found that 87 percent of real estate agents took part in racial steering.

Coverage followed in June from Black Enterprise, the Virginia Mercury, Essence and Realtor.com. In July, the alliance reported 34,150 complaints in 2023, a record for the third year in a row.

On December 18, 2024, the Times reported that Baxter would be the face of a new national campaign against housing discrimination. The alliance sponsors it with support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The paper reported that the campaign would include TV and radio ads in English and Spanish, four podcasts and social media in eight languages.

"I was so overwhelmed with what was happening to me. I couldn't digest or interpret any of it. Even with a Ph.D., it was beyond me," Baxter told the Times. Of the campaign, she said, "We are teaching people a way to figure out what to do."

Nikitra Bailey, the alliance's executive vice president, said Baxter's experience as a science educator and her wide platform made her an obvious choice. "Dr. Baxter's story shows the importance of using one's voice," Bailey said. She added, "Our goal is to reach millions of people."

"Good things can happen when people stick up for themselves," Baxter said. "Everyone deserves to be part of the American dream."

Founded in 1851, The New York Times had about 10.5 million subscribers at the end of March 2024.

Baxter is a molecular biologist who holds a Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo. She turned an unfortunate situation into one that can help people across the country learn about their rights. In her words, "I partner with the National Fair Housing Alliance to champion our rights."

Read the Times May 31 story and the December 18 follow-up.