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New York Real Estate Company founded by Guyanese sisters marks 100 years
(Kaieteur News) – A New York real estate company founded by three Guyanese sisters is marking its 100th year. Founded in 1925, ESRA Realty LLC, originally known as Edward’s Sisters Realty, was launched by Millicent, Sarah and Lucille Edwards who were born in Guyana.
The sisters migrated to the USA to chase the American dream. Their family settled in Harlem and recognized a lack of community housing. They filled that need by founding one of the first black-owned and operated real estate firm in New York State.
On the Cover of a special edition publication: the current owners, of ESRA LLC, Ramona Grey-Harris, Maurice Russell Grey and Aden Seraile; 2nd and 3rd generation Guyanese- American.
In 1929, Lucille Edwards-Chance was one of four black females to graduate NYU laws school and was the first black practising female attorney in the State of New York. She combined her Real Estate acumen and her legal efforts to enhance the community services of the Edwards Sisters Realty Associates.
Among many accomplishments from 1948 to 1968, Mrs. Chance was the president of the Harlem Taxpayers and Property Owners Association; she was a director of Freedom National Bank from 1966 to 1971, a member of the New York State Electoral College in 1968 and the president of the Inner City Housing and Development Council from 1972 to 1980. She was dubbed the driving force of the business and a mainstay in the Harlem community.
The Company participated in a legacy event hosted by Chase Bank in New York in the summer.
Today, their commitment and love for Harlem has passed down through generations and has allowed ESRA Realty LLC to remain a stable fixture within the ever-changing New York real estate market. In fact, the company is recognized as the oldest, black family owned, real estate firm in Harlem New York.
The current owners, Ramona Grey-Harris, Maurice Russell Grey and Aden Seraile represent a 2nd and 3rd generation Guyanese-American. Grey-Harris noted that ESRA Realty LLC has owned up to 60 properties, managed countless and offers services in property management, real estate law, mortgages, brokerage, and appraisals.
Over the years, thousands of families have purchased homes through the Edwards sisters and countless more have lived in properties owned or managed by the firm. Grey-Harris told this publication that she carrying on the legacy of her aunts Lucille and Millicent and her mother, Sarah.
“Lucille and Millicent are my aunts, Sarah is my mother and they are born and raised in Guyana. My grandmother was born in Guyana from Barbadian parents. We have owned up to 60 buildings. Currently, we manage and do sales. We have 14 office staff,” she said.
A centennial gala to mark ESRA’s 100th anniversary was held at the Alhambra Ballroom in New York on Friday, November 14 last.
She explained during the firm’s 100 years, they have hired and employed many minorities in various roles in the firm.
“We currently have a multi-staff. Ownership of properties comes with numerous issues red lining, lack of banks giving mortgages and city regulations. Our clientele are multi ethnic and where the buildings are located often decide who lives in the area,” she said.
To mark, its 100th anniversary, ESRA Realty hosted a centennial gala at the Alhambra Ballroom in New York on Friday, November 14 last.
Obviously proud of the milestone in Black entrepreneurship and community impact, Grey-Harris remains focused on building a future that honours the past. She expressed gratitude for the longevity, the ability to adapt to changing times and optimism that the family will continue to thrive in business in the future.
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