Rashèedah Brown: How one Harlemite makes real estate dreams a reality
Rashèedah Brown, affectionately known as “RB, the Realtor,” always tells people that she started her career with just two dollars.
Now a licensed realtor, investor, property manager, and secretary of the executive board of the Harlem Greater Real Estate Board, RB’s journey began from her own experience in becoming a homeowner. “I started as a homebuyer myself, so I am passionate about providing the education and tools to the community,” she says.
RB, a former school teacher with two master’s degrees, turned to real estate in 2003 after reading an article about a teacher who purchased a multifamily property. She bought a two-family home, rented out one unit, and within two years, sold it to buy another property with more units. This initial success lit a fire in RB, prompting her to dive deeper into real estate investing.
Her first attempt was to purchase a multifamily property, but she faced several challenges and setbacks. Undeterred, she looked for opportunities to convert single-family homes into multifamily properties in her desired neighborhood. She eventually bought a single-family home in New York City, learned how to legally convert it into a multifamily property, and became both a homeowner and landlord. This achievement inspired many of her family members and friends to follow suit.
“I remember when I was looking to purchase a property, I didn’t have much support or direction, and I really want to help the experience be different for people who are getting started,” she said. This drive led her to become a licensed real estate salesperson to better support and guide new investors.
RB’s journey in real estate allowed her to create more income from her rentals than she earned from her teaching job. She perfected the craft of managing profitable properties, scaling her portfolio, and leveraging her 9-to-5 job to bankroll her real estate dreams. This success also motivated her to support others in the community to achieve similar goals.
Despite her love for education and belief that her role in the education field was of great help to the community, RB saw a greater need to empower urban communities to transition from renting to owning, because there was less representation and fewer initiatives to help others in this area. In 2010, she began hosting networking events to bring together professionals from various fields. “As I got more involved in the real estate sector, I realized that there was close to no opportunity for people of color in the industry,” she said. “I saw the void for people of color to connect in productive, formatted events, so I decided to create that opportunity.”
In 2014, she fully transitioned into a real estate career to reach more people and implement initiatives with positive impact.
Her events, such as the 2023 Potential Homebuyers Lunch and Learn and the 2024 Real Estate Expo at Columbia University, have reached thousands of potential homebuyers and future investors. “I like to think that it is a resource for people of color in real estate and the entrepreneur community to come together to build success as a collective,” she said.
In 2021, RB joined the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board (GHREB) and was appointed secretary of its executive board. “They were impressed by how I organized massive events and managed them effectively, alongside my real estate business and portfolio,” RB said. “When I joined, I realized there were many amazing people of color in the industry performing at high levels, and most people wouldn’t know that.”
In May 2024, RB was honored in the Contemporary Giant category at the 500 Men organization’s 7th Annual Ladies Brunch Power Broker’s Edition. Her next event, the Real Estate and Entrepreneur Networking event on July 18, 2024, at Pando 39, featured speakers like Dr. Natasha Williams and Shamonda Graham. This event aimed to provide resources and networking opportunities for all attendees.
RB emphasized the power of collaboration, which has helped her scale her real estate portfolio. “There is power in collaboration, so I have specialized in collaborating with amazing organizations and elected officials to create positive impact and empower social mobility,” she explained. “These events help promote homeownership and entrepreneurship within our communities, providing opportunities for all who attend.”For more information about RB’s events and programming, visit RBtheRealtor.com.
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