In an era where most family businesses don’t survive beyond the second generation, ESRA Realty & Property Management is proudly celebrating 100 years of uninterrupted Black ownership and leadership in New York real estate — and descendants of its founding matriarchs still run it.
Founded in 1925 by three pioneering Caribbean women – including Lucille Edwards, the first Black woman licensed to practice law in New York State – ESRA has weathered nearly every obstacle imaginable: the Great Depression, redlining, the crack epidemic, and the gentrification of Harlem. What began as a lifeline for Black renters denied housing by white landlords has grown into one of the most enduring Black-owned real estate firms in the country.
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“This isn’t just a business milestone — it’s a family promise fulfilled across generations,” said Ramona Grey-Harris, retired ESRA property manager and daughter of co-founder Sarah Edwards. “My grandmother believed in property as power. We’ve carried that torch for 100 years — and we’re just getting started.”
Legacy That Lives On — And Moves Forward
To honor this unprecedented achievement, ESRA is launching a yearlong Centennial Campaign focused on intergenerational wealth, Harlem pride, and the transformative power of Black-led community development.
Signature events include:
June 21, 2025 – Black Legacy Business Panel
September 13, 2025 – Harlem Block Party: Celebrating Ownership and Community
November 11, 2025 – Centennial Gala: Honoring 100 Years of Service
Each gathering is designed to highlight how real estate intersects with community care, economic mobility, and legacy-building. The campaign also includes educational outreach, historical storytelling, and digital content meant to inspire the next generation of property owners, managers, and developers.
“Our story proves that legacy isn’t something you leave — it’s something you build, day by day,” said Jordi-Lakeem Foster, Marketing Strategist for ESRA’s Centennial Campaign. “This year is about reflection, reconnection, and reimagining the future of Harlem — with ESRA at the center.”
A Legacy of Firsts and Staying Power
Long before the term “generational wealth” became popular, the Edwards sisters embodied it. Lucille Edwards graduated from NYU Law in 1929 — one of only four Black women in her class — and became a fierce legal advocate for Harlem tenants. Sarah Edwards and her sisters worked as real estate agents, property managers, and housing advocates when Black ownership was considered radical.
Today, ESRA manages over 60 properties across Harlem, while also maintaining investment holdings in New Jersey, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Jamaica. Their impact continues to grow — not just through property, but through mentorship, education, and service.
“This company has never been just about real estate,” added Aden Seraile, third-generation co-owner of ESRA. “It’s about self-determination — for our family, for Harlem, and for the people we serve.”
