We were lucky to catch up with Amaricko McKenzie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amaricko, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Alvin “Big Joe” McKenzie is the embodiment of the American dream. Born on April 8th, 1936, in Kingston, Jamaica, he immigrated to America at 39 in 1975 bringing with him the warmth of his island heritage and an unwavering commitment to community. With no job or marketable skills, “Big Joe” knew the only way to change his current circumstance was to prioritize his education in order to obtain gainful employment. Big Joe went on to first earn his GED and then his Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Springfield Technical Community College. However, Alvin didn’t stop there; he continued working hard to put himself through school, where he eventually earned his bachelor’s degree in from Springfield College. All while raising 8 children, each having gone to earn a college degree in various fields. Big Joe taught his children that not only can education change your life and offer a path to ultimate success, but it is also the best way to improve your local community. Alvin devoted 25 of his 30 years in Springfield to Baystate Medical Center, working as a security guard, where he was known for his kindness and vigilance. His commitment to the well-being of others extended beyond his professional life; he was a source of inspiration and support for children in the Marlborough, Suffolk, Middlesex, Bristol, and Norfolk Street neighborhoods. He was affectionately known as ‘BIG Daddy’ and ‘Mack’ to those whose lives he affected in the community.

Following a long battle with cancer, Alvin “Big Joe” McKenzie passed away on January 5th, 2007. He may not be with us anymore, but his legacy lives on in the form of the Alvin Joseph McKenzie Scholarship Fund.

Amaricko, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Amaricko “Ricky” McKenzie
Founder & Managing Partner, McKenzie Brothers Realty, LLC

A Massachusetts native, Amaricko “Ricky” McKenzie has proudly called Georgia home for the past 24 years. As the Founder and Managing Partner of McKenzie Brothers Realty, LLC, Ricky leads a mission-driven real estate investment firm dedicated to transforming underutilized land and properties into thriving, income-generating assets that strengthen local communities and stimulate economic growth.

Under Ricky’s leadership, McKenzie Brothers Realty, LLC currently owns over $10 million in commercial real estate assets across several Georgia cities — including College Park, Dallas, Macon, Jonesboro, Austell, and Atlanta — as well as holdings in St. Louis, Missouri; Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Memphis, Tennessee.

With more than 25 years of experience in real estate acquisition, management, restoration, and sales, Ricky has successfully purchased, sold, renovated, managed, leased, and refinanced over 100 properties. His current focus is on housing development and commercial redevelopment projects that create long-term value and community impact.

Ricky is also the Co-Founder of the Georgia Real Estate Investors Association (GAREIA) Southside Subgroup, established in 2022. The group meets monthly to educate and connect real estate investors through discussions and presentations on topics such as wholesaling, property management, and redevelopment. The Southside Subgroup has proudly hosted mayors from cities including College Park, Jonesboro, Palmetto, McDonough, Jackson, Macon, Douglasville, Forest Park, Union City, Lovejoy, Mableton, and Clarkston, as well as gubernatorial candidates such as Michael Thurmond, Ruwa Romman, and Derrick Jackson.

Ricky earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing from Hampshire College in Northampton, Massachusetts (Class of 2000), where he was honored as a James Baldwin Scholarship Minority Program alumnus

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments in my journey came during the 2008 housing market crash. Like many real estate professionals, I faced enormous losses as property values plummeted and financing options disappeared overnight. Projects that once seemed secure fell apart, and I was forced to make difficult decisions to keep my business alive.

Instead of walking away from real estate, I used that time to rebuild from the ground up. I focused on learning every aspect of the business — from renovation and property management to creative financing — and shifted my strategy toward long-term, community-centered investments rather than short-term gains. That period taught me how to adapt, persevere, and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.

Today, McKenzie Brothers Realty, LLC stands as a testament to that resilience. We’ve grown to own and manage over $10 million in commercial real estate across multiple states, all while staying true to our mission of transforming underutilized spaces into assets that uplift communities. The lessons learned during that difficult season continue to guide how I lead, invest, and give back — with faith, patience, and persistence at the center of it all.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that success had to be achieved alone. Early in my career, I believed that if I wanted something done right, I had to do it myself. That mindset came from wanting to protect my vision and ensure quality, but over time it became clear that trying to handle everything on my own was limiting my growth — and exhausting my potential.

The turning point came as my real estate portfolio expanded. Managing multiple properties, development projects, and partnerships made it impossible to sustain the “one-man show” mentality. I had to learn to trust others, delegate effectively, and build a strong team that shared my mission and values.

Unlearning that need for total control allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. It taught me that true leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself — it’s about empowering others to help carry the vision forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alvinjmckenzie.org
• Instagram: mckenzieofficespace
• Facebook: mckenzieofficespace
• Twitter: mckenzieofficespace