Learn how this Houston, Texas real estate agent uses her 20 years of expertise to benefit her clients and influential agents.
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A nationally recognized coach, author, influencer, and broker leader, Jemila Winsey went from homeless to a top-notch, productive, and award-winning real estate agent through a combination of resilience, purpose, and passion. I have grown. She has led efforts to celebrate the excellence of Black real estate professionals through the Houston Association of Black Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).
“Public recognition of the accomplishments of Black real estate agents has inspired other Black real estate agents to become wildly successful, branch out into luxury, launch massive social media and video campaigns, go live loud, and make curtains.” I was inspired to come out from behind and take center stage,” she wrote in an Inman op-ed last year.
Learn how this Houston, Texas real estate agent uses her 20 years of expertise to benefit her clients and influential agents.
Name: Jemilla Winsey
Title: Co-founder and broker
Experience points: 24
Location: Houston, Texas
Securities company name: ERA Legacy Living
Ranking:
#1 Black-Owned Brokerage in Texas by Value of Production #2 Black-Owned Brokerage in the U.S. by Value of Production 2023 Inc 5000 — #23 in Texas, Top 5 in Houston Real Trends Top U.S. 1.5% intermediary
Team size: 55
Transactions and Volume: $2 billion in total sales and over 3,000 transactions
Awards:
INC 5000 (2022) Real Trends – America’s Best (2021 and 2022) NAREB Top 100 Houston Business Journal Top 25 Teams Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Houston Association of Realtors Top 20 Realtors RISMedia Industry Trailblazer Multi-production base from franchise partnerships awards, including Hall of Fame honors.
Professional and executive affiliations (past and present)
Fresno Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Vice Chairman Texas Realtors Board of Directors Texas Realtors Strategic Planning Committee Houston Association of Realtors, Board of Directors Texas Realtors, Regional Vice Chairman Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters National National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Business Issues, General Membership National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Federal Technical Issues, General Membership Texas Realtor, Professional Development Committee Member Texas Realtors PAC (TREPAC), Board of Directors TREPAC Budget Committee Member Houston Black Realtors Association Board Chair, HAR Fort Bend Political Advisor Leadership Committee Chair, HAR Fort Bend HAR MLS Committee Member HAR Technology Committee Member HAR HRIS Committee Member HAR TREPAC committee members
What are three things our readers should know about you and your brokerage?
Industry Leaders with Heart: ERA Legacy Living is proudly the #1 Black-owned brokerage in Texas by production value and ranks in the top 1.5% of brokerages nationwide. But what truly sets us apart is our focus on building a collaborative culture where agents feel supported, celebrated, and empowered to grow. Success is a team effort and we rise together. Excellence rooted in care: We combine cutting-edge technology, unparalleled expertise, and a heartfelt commitment to excellence. For us, it’s more than just a number. It’s important to create life-changing opportunities for our clients and foster a family environment where agents feel valued and motivated to do their best. Community and Culture First: At ERA Legacy Living, we’re not just building careers, we’re building families. Through mentoring, celebrating milestones, and championing diversity, we’ve cultivated a culture that prioritizes personal and professional development. Our agents are more than just partners, they’re part of a tradition focused on growth, support, and lasting impact.
What is your biggest tip for newly licensed brokers?
Focus on building a strong foundation with your team and operations. We prioritize fostering a collaborative, collaborative culture where agents feel valued and empowered to succeed. Develop a system that streamlines processes and ensures consistency while ensuring you don’t lose sight of relationships. Your agent is your greatest asset.
Always lead by example, always be open to learning, and never underestimate the power of mentorship and coaching within a brokerage firm. Never focus on employee numbers, put your ego aside, and be prepared to pivot when needed.
Remember that building a brokerage is a marathon, not a sprint. Although this journey may be thankless at times, it will probably be one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding, journeys I have ever taken in my career. True leadership in the real estate industry is about balancing vision, strategy, and heart.
What is the best part of your career as a securities company?
One of the most memorable high points of my career was winning the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award alongside ERA Legacy Living and being named to the Inc. 5000 list and the Greater Houston Black Chamber -Won a spot in the Pinnacle Award. These honors are more than just name recognition, they solidify our position as true business owners that go beyond real estate and demonstrate our strength and influence throughout the industry.
Getting there wasn’t easy. It required resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We focused on building a business rooted in sound systems, innovation, and a people-first culture.
These awards demonstrate that our hard work has not only improved our brokerage practice, but also established us as a leader in business, entrepreneurship, and community impact. It was a moment that reminded me that every setback leads us to this level of success.
What do you wish all agents knew?
Success in this game is not about luck, it’s about consistency and focus. Too many agents chase shortcuts, but the not-so-secret solution is the long game. Greatness lives here.
You have to work hard every day, even when it’s tough and even when you don’t see immediate results. Stop worrying about what other people are doing. Hold onto your vision, focus on the basics, and be persistent.
Agents who are highly successful in this industry are not agents who sprint at full speed. They are agents who keep their own pace, build relationships, and learn their craft. Play the long game as if your legacy depends on it.
Don’t just try to close the deal. We work to create impact and build something unshakably strong. Consistency is the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Cross it every day.
Tell me about an epic failure you experienced after becoming a broker.
Fear can paralyze organizations. I learned this the hard way when I hesitated to remove someone who was toxic to our brokerage. I let fear, fear of backlash, fear of insecurity hold me back. But here’s the truth. When you let fear dictate your decisions, you give people the power to be bigger than the vision and legacy you are building. That’s dangerous.
When I finally took the step and made the decision, it made a big difference. Removing those individuals did not break us. It liberated us. It realigned our core values and proved to the team that no matter how influential someone is, they cannot be allowed to compromise the greater purpose.
The moment I chose vision over fear, it revitalized our culture, strengthened our unity, and gave us the clarity to build something even greater. Leadership is about making difficult decisions knowing that the legacy you are building is worth more than any temporary discomfort.
Email Christy Murdoch
