In celebration of Black History Month for 2023, we salute a past member of our Association, Elisha Brown.

Elisha Brown was born in 1932 in West Helena, Arkansas. Brown later traveled to Missouri to attend Lincoln University, where he proudly entered the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi. Although Brown's education was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the Korean War, he resumed his education at Lincoln after his tour of duty. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.

Brown founded Brown & Brown Realty in 1960 and, in 1967, changed the business's name to Brown-Kortkamp Realty and Moving after acquiring Kortkamp Moving Company. Brown served the Black community as a real estate agent, educator, and mentor, teaching others about homeownership and investing in real estate. Brown managed to thrive in real estate despite the adversities he faced due to discriminatory practices. He believed that Blacks had the right to live anywhere in St. Louis. Brown successfully assisted some of the first Black families in acquiring homes in University City and Bel-Nor.

Brown received the Equal Housing and Opportunity Council's Open Door Award in 2014 because of his groundbreaking work trying to make St. Louis a more diverse place as a real estate agent in the 1960s and 1970s. Brown was a 17-time recipient of the St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Business Award. Brown also received awards for his real estate business acumen from the St. Louis REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® in 2014. In 2018, St. Louis REALTORS® established the Elisha Brown Award for members who embody the pioneering spirit and ideals of the federal Fair Housing Act.