We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Shenetta Malkia-Sapp. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Shenetta below.
Hi Dr. Shenetta, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My becoming and small business owner was not something I thought I would ever do. My background and lifestyle were not ones that showed that type of future. I am a suicide attempt survivor and that is how I launched by 1st company Empowerment Essence Inc.
Empowerment Essence Inc. is my not-for-profit organization working to eradicate bullying and suicide for youth and young adults. In starting the company in 2014 while working as a senior property manager and operation management for larger firms, I saw the there was a need for a change in the face of real estate and how real estate and mental health go hand and hand. One’s mental health can have a strain on it when affordable housing is not available. Mental health and well ness programs are also needed in communities to ensure households have the tools necessary to thrive and not just survive.
I found more of my residents had no information on becoming homeowners and my companies did not want them to know either. I also noticed the credit scores and the same persons coming in for help with housing. They need eviction prevention, a second and or third chance but more importantly they needed to be seen and give equal opportunity in finding affordable housing. This was and still is a concern for me. I wanted and needed to do something different. I wanted to change the face of real estate by empowering communities with resources and the knowledge needed to go from leaseholder to homeowner.
Here at The PMs of the City Realty and The PMs of the City LLC property management firm, we are doing just that. We educate and empower through real estate and management. We help solve owner problems and create opportunities for our clients to go from lease holder to homeowner. My becoming a small business owner is the change for my future, my families and those I come in contact with. All I do is for others and me seeing another win in housing is a reward that keeps empowering me to help more!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I sure can and thank you for the invite. In sharing a little about myself, I’d start with this. “I am a woman whose life is one example of great grace”. Having faced and lived through some very dark and traumatic moments in life, I can say grace is sufficient, love does empower us, and our future does not have to be a reflection of the past. I’m originally from Queens New York and attended AIU in Atlanta GA where my studies included T.V & film production. Later I matriculated to Bowie State University majoring in Business Administration. Some of my awards, accomplishments and achievements include a Tetra Honorary PH.D in Leadership/Management Development, Mental Health Community Development, Coaching/Consultant Management & Social Media from McFormalsdale Christian University, Leadership Agent of the quarter and agent of the year (American Income Life) 2014, Manager of the year 2016 & 2017 (Residential One), Community ambassador of the year VKN foundation 2016, and Speak Life – Community Leadership 2018, 2022 BUILD best property management firm in Washington DC and Woman on The Rise 2023.
Each step along the journey I can say in retrospect, has really shaped me and opened my eyes to wanting better and finding my way to better. As a human being, a black woman, mom., glam ma dog mom, sister, daughter, friend, volunteer, advocate, business owner but most of all being myself I’ve come to understand… I am a reflection of so many that have gone before me while I add to the journey for those that will come after me.
As a serial entrepreneur I can say I love empowering others in all I do. When it’s not everything real estate at The PMs of The City LLC or The PMs of The City Realty, it’s everything mental health at Empowerment Essence Inc. I’m thankful to be able to serve my communities through the businesses and through my work in the entertainment community.
My work started in 2014 when I became a spokesperson and advocate for suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs in Maryland. I started my nonprofit Empowerment Essence Inc. then and sat on the MD-SPIN advisory board and MD Governor’s Commission for Suicide Prevention from 2014-2019.
As the founding President and Executive Director of Empowerment Essence, it was important for me start an organization dedicated to eradicating bullying and suicide beginning in Maryland & DC communities. I remember my horrific experiences and wanted to become the difference and change. In working as leading clinician and workshop facilitator for community organizations and government agencies, I continued to seek innovative ways to grapple a growing problem within communities. I
I never knew I would become a life empowerment speaker, sharing my personal story on healing and growth. Today, I continue to sound the trumpet for systematic change within schools and social service systems, which often ignores the signs of bullying and suicide. I enjoy sharing and speaking on these topics within all communities. One of my highlights in starting Empowerment Essence are the number of youths we have been able to assist with resources, mentoring and help when there seemed there was no hope.
My first speaking engagement as a keynote speaker was at Maryland’s 26th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference in 2014. Since then, I have enjoyed leading survivor’s panels, teaching workshops, and speaking nationally and internationally. My story has allowed me to help others normalize not being ok and asking for help as needed. We all need some hope, and I am thankful for the one life that may be empowered as they hear how I have overcome some trails and traps that could have been life ending and or changing for me.
I am a survivor of bullying and suicide which is why I am so passionate about helping or youth, and young adults. Unfortunately, there were no programs to assist when I reached out for help in school. I remember being told by school officials to ignore the bullying by classmates. They failed to understand, you can’t, and the repeated treatment will call one to spiral. These events took me down a dark path that almost resulted in death. While I survived my personal suicide attempt, her good friend, reality show actress Gia Allemand of the Bachelor didn’t. Being devastated by Gia’s suicide in 2013. I was pushed to birth Empowerment Essence while grieving and hurting. Our motto is “One Life Saved Is One Life Given.”
Fun Facts:
I hold the following titles: International Ms. USA 2021. Ms. Baltimore United Sates 2014, Ms. Congeniality United Sates 2014, International Ms. Maryland 2016.
The PMs of the City is a full-service property management firm serving Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia and Georgia. We don’t just manage your assets, we help you sell, purchase or invest in new ones through The PMs Of The City Realty, the full-service brokerage. We love first time renters, home buyers, do it yourself landlords and for sale by owner clients. Let us help you make it look like magic. www.thepmsofthecity.com
“We Make it Look Like Magic”
Empowerment Essence Inc.
www.empowermentessence.org
Empowerment Essence Inc., is a non-profit organization mentoring and supporting those who have been and are hurting from life’s experiences. Provide trainings, workshops, resources and additional programs so more individuals and communities are aware of Suicide Prevention & Bullying. It’s important that more are able to detect early signs of Suicide and Bullying so we as a community can help bring it to an end. One area of focus is positive image building for youth and young adults. We will encourage and rebuild positive self-esteem by working through past disappointments and focusing on the promises of today with expectations of a better future.
Empowerment Essence will advocate for suicide survivors, attempters and those affected by bullying. We desire all to live a healthy, safe and well-balanced life. We will also be producing productions, and projects that enlighten and empower our youth and young adults. Raising greater awareness in the area of suicide prevention and bullying. Our projects and programs are designed to impact individuals, communities and all in whom we come in contact with.
Filming projects will allow suicide survivors, attempters including bullying victims and survivors the opportunity to tell their story and save another’s life. We will work to empower youth and young adults within the communities. Educating all on the importance that we all matter, should be respected, never forgotten and to reach out for help in a time of need.
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
In the real estate industry, there are multiple streams of income. For us at The PMs of the City Realty we have the following: property management, leasing fees, sales, training, consulting, referrals, project management and maintenance. There is so much you can do and we have new trainings to show you how. Connect with us and let us show you the streams of income in your business.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Unfortunately, for many black women starting a business, access to capital is very little. I used my paychecks from my old contracts and jobs to start the business. The playing field has not been easy and will never be easy but the heart of the mission will always be a fire. Funding can come from pitching, loans and grants. Evaluate your need and be prepared so when you do apply you are ready.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepmsofthecity.com . www.empowermentessence.org, www.dearbrokengirl.com ,
- Instagram: The PMs Of The City Realty. Shenetta Malkia, Empowerment Essence
- Facebook: Shenetta Malkia, The PMs Of The City Realty, Empowerment Essence
- Linkedin: The PMs Of the City Realty, Dr. Shenetta Malkia
- Twitter: Empowerment Essence , Shenetta Malkia
- Youtube: Shenetta Malkia, The PMs Of The City Realty, Empowerment Essence
- Other: www.malkiarealtions.com imdb.me/shenettamalkia