The African American Real Estate Professionals of New York, Inc. was created to establish a forum that promotes the exchange of information among African American real estate professionals. Those efforts began in 1989 and led to the consensus to formally establish the organization in late 1989. AAREPNY was later incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of New York on July 30, 1990. Since its incorporation, AAREPNY has been led by an Executive Committee that is responsible for its diverse activities.

AAREPNY is dedicated to advancing the interests of African Americans in the real estate industry and promoting community development. AAREPNY seeks to unite real estate professionals and entrepreneurs from all functional areas. Its members have backgrounds in various real estate related fields including finance, development, asset management, law, consulting, brokerage and insurance. AAREPNY’s members have a common goal of facilitating the flow of real estate related information, guidance, and technical assistance to diverse constituent groups. When appropriate and representative of the organization’s constituency, AAREPNY advocates issues related to the advancement of AAREPNY’s agenda in the industry. Furthermore, AAREPNY endeavors to pursue inter-governmental relations at the local, state and federal level as a means of furthering the organization’s mission and agenda.

The focus of the Executive Committee has been the implementation of educational forums on timely real estate topics featuring prominent professionals in the real estate industry. The first event, hosted at the prestigious Harvard Club featured John L. Edmonds, a major African American developer in the New York City area. As the organization progressed, the educational forums and receptions attracted and featured industry leaders such as Randy A. Daniels, New York Secretary of State; Herman J. Russell of H. J. Russell Company; Bruce Ratner of Forest City Ratner Enterprises; and William Thompson, NYC Comptroller. Overtime, AAREPNY's activities and scope have broadened to include community outreach, mentoring partnerships and the establishment of an Advisory Board. With each successful undertaking, AAREPNY has built a foundation for future growth and service to the local community.