Long time businessman and community leader, Elisha Brown passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Brown-Kortkamp Realty, the company he founded, is a 17 time recipient of the St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Business Award.
In 1960 Mr. Brown founded Brown & Brown Realty. In 1967 when he acquired Kortkamp Moving Company he changed the name to Brown-Kortkamp Realty and Moving. Servicing primarily an African American clientele, Mr. Brown became more than just a real estate agent; he became an educator and mentor teaching others about homeownership and investing in real estate. Despite the adversities he faced as result of discriminatory practices, he believed that Blacks had the right to live anywhere in St. Louis, moving some of the first Blacks into University City and Belnor. In 2014, Mr. Brown received Equal Housing and Opportunity Council’s Open Door Award for his groundbreaking work as a real estate agent, serving African American families in the 1960s and 1970s to make St. Louis a more diverse place. Subsequently in 2015, he was recognized for his real estate business acumen by the St. Louis Association of REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS.
Broadening his real estate interest, Elisha Brown forms Urban Planning and Development Corporation of America, Inc. (UPDC). In 1975theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development awards UPDC a contract to construct McMillan Manor, a 34 unit-housing complex in St. Louis, MO. UPDC also completed the Betts Park project in Charleston, Missouri, a 50 unit, low-to-moderate income housing complex. In the 1990 UPDC was awarded a Land Acquisition contract from the City of St. Louis to serve as the Prime Contractor, acquiring over 500 properties and relocating families in Kinloch, Missouri as part of the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport’s Noise Mitigation program. Subsequent clients have included the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation, engineering firms, city governments and private developers.
Looking to consolidate his business ventures to one location, Mr. Brown acquires an abandoned property on Delmar Blvd from the City of St. Louis, develops it and moves his offices into it where it remains his legacy today. Presently his daughter Gail Brown serves as President and CEO of Brown-Kortkamp Realty and Urban Planning and Development.
Elisha graduated from Eliza Miller High School in Helena, Arkansas and went on to attend Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. While in college Elisha entered the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Brown’s education was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the Korean War. After his tour of duty in the US Army he went on to complete his schooling earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University.
Elisha loved his church, Central Baptist, in addition to his Deacon duties, he was a Sunday School scholar, served as member and chair of the Trustee Board, sang in the male chorus, collaborated with the Men of Central, worked in the Crisis Ministry, and faithfully participated in his most beloved ministry, the Wednesday Noon Prayer Group.
Elisha peacefully transitioned November 28, 2017. He leaves to cherish his loving memory and caring spirit, his wife Delores Brown, two Children, Danette and Gail Brown, one granddaughter Alicia Brown.
In Memory of Elisha Brown, Founder
Brown-Kortkamp Realty Company
August 15, 1932 – November 28, 2017
