Dozens of public and private organizations came together in partnership to support the Summit, which commemorated Fair Housing Month and the 31st Anniversary of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. HUD’s Community Builders and Public Trust Officers worked with partner organizations to plan workshops with topics ranging from discriminatory loan practices, transportation issues, discrimination against the disabled, and hate crimes.

1st Mariner Bank signed a fair lending agreement with HUD which commits the bank to treat all customers equally, regardless of any factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other factor. By signing this agreement, 1st Mariner will also engage in outreach to minority populations, attracting prospective customers who want to purchase a home.

"By entering into this partnership with HUD, we can be further assured that our staff have the education they need to best fulfill our commitment to the customer and every Marylander," stated 1St Mariner Chairman and CEO Edwin F. Hale.

"[1st Mariner] knocked on our door and said, ‘We want people to know that we want to do business with everyone.’ Corporations everywhere should use the 1st Mariner model as an example of how to be a responsible corporate citizen," said Harold D. Young, Maryland Senior Community Builder. "We are pleased to be building relationships that promote fair housing in all places," Young added.