Community members gather to celebrate the centennial of ESRA Realty & Property Management.
ESRA Realty & Property Management marks a significant milestone as it celebrates 100 years of continuous Black ownership and leadership in the real estate sector. Founded by three Caribbean women in 1925, ESRA has notably influenced the community despite challenges like redlining and gentrification. As part of its centennial celebration, ESRA is launching a campaign to promote intergenerational wealth and foster community development. Events throughout the year aim to honor the legacy of Black property ownership and inspire future generations.
New York City – ESRA Realty & Property Management is celebrating an impressive milestone as it marks 100 years of continuous Black ownership and leadership in the real estate industry. Founded in 1925 by three trailblazing Caribbean women, ESRA has made significant contributions to the community and has weathered numerous societal and economic challenges.
The company was established when Lucille Edwards, Sarah Edwards, and their sister sought to create opportunities for Black renters during a time when they faced systemic discrimination from white landlords. Lucille Edwards notably became the first Black woman licensed to practice law in New York State, advocating for equality in housing and tenant rights.
Throughout its hundred-year history, ESRA has navigated through the Great Depression, the era of redlining, the crack epidemic, and the ongoing gentrification of Harlem. Originally intended as a support mechanism for Black renters, ESRA has grown into one of the most resilient and enduring Black-owned real estate firms in the United States.
To honor its centennial anniversary, ESRA is launching a Centennial Campaign focused on promoting intergenerational wealth, celebrating Harlem pride, and fostering community development. This campaign includes a series of events designed to educate and inspire future generations of property owners and developers.
Alongside these events, the Centennial Campaign will feature educational outreach initiatives, historical storytelling, and digital content that aim to connect the past with future aspirations.
Ramona Grey-Harris, a retired property manager at ESRA and daughter of co-founder Sarah Edwards, has spoken about the legacy of property ownership as a form of power within the community. The Edwards sisters established a foundation for generational wealth, demonstrating the importance of self-determination long before the term gained popularity.
Lucille Edwards, who graduated from New York University Law School in 1929 as one of only four Black women in her class, played a pivotal role in advocating for tenants’ rights in Harlem. Her efforts were complemented by her sisters, who served as real estate agents, property managers, and housing advocates in a time when Black ownership was often scorned.
Today, ESRA Realty & Property Management manages over 60 properties in Harlem and has expanded its investments to multiple states, including New Jersey, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Jamaica. The company’s influence, however, extends beyond mere property management; it encompasses mentorship, education, and community service initiatives aimed at uplifting the community.
Aden Seraile, a third-generation co-owner of ESRA, emphasized that the company’s mission transcends real estate. It seeks to empower their family and community by promoting principles of self-determination and financial independence through property ownership.
ESRA’s journey is marked by significant challenges that reflect broader social issues faced by the Black community. The company overcame obstacles posed by the Great Depression, societal biases like redlining, the impact of drugs in the early ’90s, and the ongoing changes brought by gentrification in Harlem. ESRA’s longevity is a testament to its resilient spirit and unwavering commitment to serving the community.
As ESRA Realty & Property Management enters its second century, the company embodies a rich legacy of Black ownership and continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Harlem community.
ESRA Realty Celebrates 100 Years of Black Ownership
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