Black History in Real Estate

Feb 22

February is Black History Month! Today, we’re going to focus on some of the amazing Black individuals who set the real estate community in Canada, and Ontario, to what it is today.

Lincoln Alexander

Lincoln Alexander was the first Black Member of Parliament in Canada, and the first Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Born in 1922, he grew up in Toronto. His mother had immigrated from Jamaica. He was the only Black child in his kindergarten class, and was apparently well-respected among his peers. Alexander later moved to New York with his mother, and there, met many Black role models in Harlem who showed him the possibilities outside of manual labour for his career.

Alexander returned to Canada during the Second World War. He took part in war efforts starting in 1942 as a corporal and wireless operator. However, after being refused service at a bar due to his race, Alexander was honourably discharged from the air force.

Afterwards, Alexander completed his BA at McMaster University, and then moved on to Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He joined forces with Helen and Edward Okuloski who had started their own practice in Hamilton. He practiced real estate and commercial law. Later, he partnered with Dave Duncan to create the Duncan & Alexander firm, which he states was the first interracial law partnership in Canada. He bought his first home soon after.

Alexander ran in the Canadian federal election twice before he won a seat and became Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament. He held this seat for 4 terms until he resigned in 1980.

Alexander was later appointed the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the first Black person to serve in that position. He focused on education, racism, and youth issues during his time. He advocated for affordable housing and worked tirelessly to increase Black home ownership in the province.

He accomplished much more throughout his life, until his death in 2012.

His accomplishments and advocacy made huge impacts on the real estate community, housing equity, and equal opportunities in Ontario and Canada.

Rosemary Sadlier

Rosemary Sadlier has advocated for the recognition of Black History in Canada for more than 30 years! Born in Toronto, Sadlier joined the Ontario Black History Society in 1989. She later led this organization from 1993-2015. Here, she found there was a “lack of appreciation” of the importance of the history of Black people in Canada.

Under her leadership, Sadlier has seen all levels of government proclaiming February Black History Month, as well as Emancipation Day in Ontario.

Sadlier has presented nationally and internationally, including to the United Nations, on Black Canadian history and anti-racism. She has written and researched over many years about Black and Black Canadian history.

Rosemary Sadlier was the first Black woman to become a licensed real estate agent in the province. She has been an advocate for fair housing and has worked tirelessly to increase the representation of Black individuals in the profession.

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