Dr. Ericka L. McKnight-Brown

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The Real Estate Maverick, Professor & Educator Extraordinaire

22+ Years of Real Estate Excellence | 12+ Years as a Real Estate Professor

Dr. Ericka L. McKnight-Brown is a nationally recognized real estate educator, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, life coach, and visionary leader. As the Founder and CEO of ELM School of Real Estate and ELM Realty, she has dedicated her career to empowering aspiring and experienced real estate professionals through education, leadership, and excellence.

With over two decades of experience in the real estate industry and more than 12 years as a real estate professor, Dr. McKnight has taught, mentored, and inspired over 15,000 students across North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond.​

A Journey of Faith, Leadership & Success

Licensed since 2005, Dr. McKnight began her career as a new home sales counselor, working directly with builders and helping buyers navigate the home-buying journey. She later became a roving sales agent, serving multiple communities and building strong relationships with realtors and builders.

Recognizing the need for greater education in the new home sales industry, she began traveling across the Carolinas and various states teaching realtors and builders how to bridge the gap between builders, agents, and buyers while creating greater opportunities for financial success.

Following her passion and purpose, Dr. McKnight made the courageous decision to leave a six-figure career in new home sales to pursue her mission of transforming lives through education.

Founder & CEO

Dr. McKnight is the proud Owner and CEO of:

□ ELM School of Real Estate

□ ELM Realty

A Full-Service Real Estate Company

She is also a successful mother of three, international award-winning bestselling author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and respected industry leader known for her innovative mindset and commitment to helping others achieve success.

Areas of Expertise

□ Residential Real Estate

□ Commercial Real Estate

□ Land Sales

□️ New Home Sales

□ Real Estate Education

□ Business Leadership & Coaching

Multi-Million-Dollar Producer with an Outstanding Record of Success

Professional Designations & Certifications

□ Real Estate Designations

• BIC – Broker-In-Charge
• GSI
• ABR – Accredited Buyer Representative
• AHWD – At Home With Diversity
• SPS – Strategic Pricing Specialist
• NHSS – New Home Sales Specialist
• CNE – Certified Negotiating Expert
• MSP

□ Professional Certifications

• CSP – Certified Speaking Professional
• CLC – Certified Life Coach
• Certified Medical Health Aid

Industry Contributions & Educational Impact

Dr. McKnight authored North Carolina and South Carolina approved continuing education courses, including:

□ Approved Courses

• Principles of New Home Sales
• Anticipating Issues That Come Up in New Home Sales

□ Courses She Teaches

• Pre-Licensing
• Post-Licensing
• BICUP
• GENUP
• Continuing Education Courses in NC & SC

⭐ Recognized among the Top 15 Real Estate Instructors in North Carolina and South Carolina, shaping and empowering the next generation of real estate professionals.

Awards & Recognition

Dr. McKnight’s commitment to excellence, leadership, education, and entrepreneurship has earned her numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her remarkable career.

□ Recent Honors

• 2025 – Power Women of Empowerment Honoree
• 2023–2024 – WHO’S WHO Black Charlotte Honoree
• The Great 28 Charlotteans Shaping Our City Recipient

□ International & National Recognition

• London, UK Champion Leadership Award
• United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient (2023)
• Forbes Women Changing Lives Honoree (2022 & 2023)
• Female Powerhouse Recipient (2023)

□ Leadership & Entrepreneur Awards

• CEO of the Year
• Black History Month Honoree
• Empowered Diva Award (2022)
• National Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee
• Bold, Fierce & Fearless Entrepreneur Hall of Fame (2021–2024)
• 50 Most Influential Women in Charlotte, NC (2020–2024)

⭐ Additional Honors

• Voted Best Private School in Charlotte (2021–2024)
• Voted Best Private School in Union County (2020–2024)
• Real Estate Educators Association Rising Star (2019)
• Humanitarian Award (2018)
• Literary Trailblazer of the Year (2018)
• 2-Time Female Entrepreneur of the Year (2017 & 2018)
• Women of Achievement & Women of Influence Nominee
• Author of the Year Winner – ACHI WSWA Magazine (2017)
• Entrepreneur of the Year (2012, 2014, 2017, 2018)
• 5-Time Author of the Year
• 10th Annual NAACP Author Honoree

Leadership, Memberships & Community Service

Dr. McKnight has dedicated her time and expertise to numerous professional organizations, leadership initiatives, and community service programs.

□ Professional Organizations

• Former Educational Committee Advisor – National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB)
• New Home Sales Professionals Association (NHSP)
• A Hero’s Ball – Supporting Military Families & Veterans
• North Carolina Real Estate Educators Association (NCREEA)
• Real Estate Educators Association (REEA)
• Toastmasters International
• Public Speaking Association
• Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange
• North Carolina Home Builders Association
• North & South Carolina Realtor Associations
• Vice President, ACHI Women Supporting Women Association

❤️ Community Service & Volunteering

Dr. McKnight actively gives back to the community by volunteering with:

• Church Hospitality Teams
• Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Programs
• Pregnancy Clinics
• Crisis Assistance Ministries
• Relay for Life
• Levine Children’s Hospital

What Students Are Saying

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“I thought I knew it all—WOW! I learned so much, especially about financing, credit cards, and credit scores.”

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“Ericka was excellent! I will continue to take her classes. Very knowledgeable and experienced!”

– Phillip V

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“Mrs. McKnight is a trailblazer for the next generations!”

– Kortney W

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

— Dr. Ericka L. McKnight