The Houston Black Real Estate Association was founded in 1949 by 11 progressive real estate brokers. The brokers, faced with the dilemma of discriminatory real estate practices, deemed it necessary to form an entity that could ensure not only democracy in the real estate industry, but also in housing opportunities.
The founding meeting was held at the then Negro Chamber of Commerce. The Founders were: J.W. Hubert, J.E Robinson, J.W. Robinson, Sr., E. J. Hardy, W.O. Bonner, W.W. Robinson, E.S. McCullough, O.J. Polk, Garfield Clark, Roscoe Cavitt and S.D. Jones, Sr.
In 1956, the organization was incorporated and became the Houston Real Estate Association, Inc. In 2012, a dba was created for HBREA to do business as The Houston Black Real Estate Association, Inc.
Encouraged by the prospect of progress through organization, the association immediately launched an educational program in order to better qualify themselves and to open the door for other Negroes interested in the real estate industry. Through the cooperation of Texas Southern University, evening classes in Real Estate Principles, Salesmanship, Real Estate Brokerage and Real Estate Law were sponsored by the Association.
HBREA FORMER PRESIDENTS
| HBREA FORMER PRESIDENTS | HBREA FORMER PRESIDENTS – DECEASED |
|---|---|
| LaDonna Parker, 2019-2020 | Keith R. Silas, 1999-2000 |
| Kimberly Barnes-Henson, 2017-2018 | Frank Harris, 1981-1983 |
| John Guess, 2015-2016 | Weldon Traylor, 1979-1980 |
| Gerald Womack, 2013-2014 | Harry Jones, 1975-1976 |
| Courtney Johnson Rose, 2011-2012 | George K. Coleman, 1968 |
| William “Bill” Pitre, 2009-2010 | H.M. Washington, 1966-1967 |
| Darryl Malloy, 2007-2008 | Roosevelt Briscoe, 1964-1965 |
| Bryther Copes, 2005-2006 | J.W. Robinson, Sr., 1963 – Founder |
| Bobbye Mills, 2003-2004 | W.A. Samuels, 1961-1962 |
| Rose Marie Dixon, 2001-2002 | S.D. Jones, 1959-1960 |
| Andrea Hilliard-Cooksey, 1997-1998 | G.M. Kemp, 1957-1958 |
| Carolyn Matthews Cooper, 1993-1996 | W.O. Bonner, 1956 |
| Ed Ryland, 1992-1993 | J.W. Robinson, Dr., 1954-1955 – Founder |
| Jackie Cooper, 1990-1991 | S.D. Jones, 1951-1953 |
| Charles Rencher, 1988-1989 | J.W. Robinson, Dr., 1949-1950 – Founder and First President |
| Samuel Stewart, 1986-1987 | |
| George Johnson, 1984-1985 | |
| Harold Moore, 1977-1978 | |
| Clarence James, 1973-1974 | |
| George Wyche, 1971-1972 | |
| Travis Cooper, 1969-1970 |
