The Real Estate Godfather of Harlem: A Short Memoir for Success by Jarrod "General" Whitaker

By Jarrod "General" Whitaker

There is a shift an American thought amongst the Black Community where economic prosperity and gain is seen as being the catalyst for the achievement of freedom, justice, and equality. People who can be financially and socially exploited will continue to remain vulnerable to systemic injustices. The Real Estate Godfather of Harlem is a short memoir that seeks to educate and enlighten young men and women coming from underserved and marginalized communities of the power of self-reliance, self-determination, and cooperative economics. This memoir will take you on a journey of self-discovery and provide motivational encouragement for the achievement of your personal success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667825717

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The Real Estate Godfather of Harlem

© 2022 Jarrod General Whitaker

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 978-1-66782-570-0

eBook ISBN 978-1-66782-571-7

I thank God to have weathered trials, tribulations and to have lived long enough to gain wisdom, experience, and hone the God-given talents that have allowed me to travel the world and experience life in full abundance. Although coming from humble beginnings, my foray into the music entertainment industry and ultimately the real estate game has taken me from the inner city of Southwest Philadelphia to New York City, Los Angeles, Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris, and every major city in America. The path had unexpected twists and turns, setbacks, and false starts, but I wouldn’t change one minute of my journey. When I first started, I thought it was just about making it to the end goal, but I would discover during the journey that it’s the chapters in the middle where the wealth and most enriching part of the story lies.

I would like to thank my beautiful wife Sheila, my precious daughters Taliyah and Luca, and my amazing parents Demarco and Marcia Whitaker. I am highly grateful for my siblings Hassan, Brandon, and Aaron Whitaker (RIP). I am forever indebted to my mentors who provided invaluable tutelage and guidance along the way; Jim Simmons III, Ice-T, Doris White, Eric Von Zip, Jimmy Rosemond, Assembly Member Inez Dickens, and others. Thank you to my friends and business partners DJ KaySlay, the Dickens Family, Eleece Martin, Branson, Gangsta Lou, Baby Thad, and the Sugar Hill Family at 145th & Saint Nick. Special shout-outs to all my family, friends, and loved ones in Philadelphia, Columbia, South Carolina, New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Virginia. Even though you may not have been physically with me during the journey, I carried you with me in spirit every step of the way and appreciate how you shaped my life.

Contents

Forward by The Honorable Inez E, Dickens

Chapter 1: The 1980s – Just Starting In The Ghetto

Chapter 2: I’m Going To Make It In The Rap Game (Part 1)

Chapter 3: I’m Going To Make It In The Rap Game (Part 2)

Chapter 4: My Detour To Haiti

Chapter 5: Apollo Real Estate

Chapter 6: Lafayette Estates

Chapter 7: Columbia University

Chapter 8: My Real Estate Come Up

Chapter 9: Eric Von Zip

Chapter 10: Who Wants To Be A Ghetto Millionaire?

About The Author

FORWARD BY

THE HONORABLE INEZ E, DICKENS

(NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER/DICKENS

GROUP CHAIRWOMAN):

Phillip Payton is widely regarded as the Father of Harlem. The Dickens family met Phillip Payton when we arrived in Harlem. The Dickens family arrived in Harlem from Canada in 1916-17. The Dickens family structure was somewhat different than Payton’s in that we had a family of mostly boys who were taught self-reliance and no begging. Our family mantra was to do for self. Our family was all taught that as you rise bring other worthy loyal black persons with you. The women in the Dickens family maintained the books/secretarial duties, and all worked as one family: using their talents accordingly. Of the Dickens siblings, one brother learned to sheetrock and paint, another brother became a licensed plumber, two brothers were real estate brokers, one brother was an insurance broker, one brother was a registered appraiser, and the youngest sibling was sent to NYU Law School after graduating from Lincoln University. The youngest sibling and my father Lloyd E. Dickens were progressive thinkers and encouraged other members of the family to get jobs with NYC Subways as motormen so that they could pay their bills for family members if their investments were slow. Finally, three members of the Dickens family stayed in Tulsa, Oklahoma when family departed going to Canada. Phillip Payton was here first by 1916-17 and ushered in an era where black families fought for Harlem and believed in owning where you live.

Other families who formed Harlem real estate dynasties included the Edward Sister (Judge Maurice Grey) from Barbados, the Horsford family from Antigua (Victoria News, Robert RE, and Aliyah of the Cove Lounge). These three black families plus Payton, who didn’t have a big family like the others, ruled Harlem. Payton was the first to pass away, as he was probably the oldest, and then the other three families took control of Harlem real estate. These families lent and borrowed between one another sans jealousy, leveraging capital to keep investments going. Using innovation to overcome racism and redlining, the Dickens family hired a white German to represent them and to negotiate real estate transactions on their behalf. This white German man had no ownership stake but was paid nominal cash to attend the real estate closings. The White German had to urinate every hour or less and would run to the car that my father Lloyd Dickens and his older brother sat in just down the street where they could see the entrance. By the 1930’s they developed a relationship with a white man who owned a couple of banks downtown