100+ Years of Property Management, Rooted in Harlem
From the Harlem Renaissance to today, four generations of the Edwards family have shaped how Harlem lives, works, and builds wealth through property.
Edwards Sisters Realty (ESRA) Founding Story
Edwards Sisters Realty Associates is the oldest Black family-owned real estate firm in New York. Millicent and Lucille Edwards had migrated from Guyana, South America in search of greater opportunity, and in 1925 channeled that ambition into founding the business alongside their father, Fitz Benjamin Edwards. A third daughter, Sarah, joined in 1932.
Edwards Sisters Realty was born in the Roaring Twenties, a contributing part of the Harlem Renaissance that made Harlem the world-renowned place it is today. A Black-owned real estate company was genuinely innovative in the 1920s. Harlem was just opening up to Black property owners, and the Edwards Sisters were at the helm.
Over the decades, the firm’s services expanded to include property management, real estate law, mortgages, brokerage, and appraisals. Thousands of families have purchased homes through the Edwards Sisters, and countless more have lived in properties owned or managed by the firm.
Contact UsA Century, Generation by Generation
Edwards Sisters Realty Founded
Millicent and Lucille Edwards, having migrated from Guyana in search of opportunity, found it in Harlem — founding the business with their father, Fitz Benjamin Edwards, at the height of the Harlem Renaissance.
Lucille Breaks Barriers at NYU Law
Lucille Edwards Chance becomes the fourth Black woman to graduate NYU Law School and the first Black practicing female attorney in the State of New York.
A Third Sister Joins
Sarah Edwards joins the firm, rounding out the sisters’ partnership.
Decades of Civic Leadership
Lucille serves as president of the Harlem Taxpayers and Property Owners Association, sits on the board of Freedom National Bank, serves on the New York State Electoral College, and leads the Inner City Housing and Development Council.
Lucille’s Legacy
Lucille Edwards Chance passes, having remained the driving force of the business and a mainstay of the Harlem community to the end.
A Third Generation Carries It Forward
Aden Seraile leads Esra Management’s day-to-day property operations, while M. Russell Grey leads Esra Realty’s brokerage side — the same family stewardship, a century later.
Lucille Edwards Chance
In 1929, Lucille Edwards Chance became the fourth Black woman to graduate NYU Law School and the first Black practicing female attorney in the State of New York. She combined her real estate acumen with her legal work to strengthen the Edwards Sisters Realty Associates’ role in the community. Between 1948 and 1968, she served as president of the Harlem Taxpayers and Property Owners Association, sat on the board of Freedom National Bank from 1966 to 1971, served on the New York State Electoral College in 1968, and led the Inner City Housing and Development Council from 1972 to 1980. She remained the driving force of the business and a mainstay of the Harlem community until her death in 1987.
Recognition Earned Over a Century
Heritage Hedge Award
Harlem Better Business Awards
Heroes and Sheroes Award
State Assembly of New York
Distinguished Member of The Greater Harlem Real Estate Board, Inc.
For over 75 years of service
Service Award from the Congress of the United States
House of Representatives, for service to the Harlem community
Deep Roots in the Harlem Community
Esra’s ties to Harlem run deeper than property lines — from the Harlem Renaissance to today’s business community.
A Documentary on 100 Years of Esra
Go deeper into the Edwards family’s century in Harlem real estate.
