Real Estate & Entrepreneur Networking Event -Summer Edition!

Your Invited To
The After Work Network Mix & Mingle @
The Saint
One Of the Most Amazing Venues in NYC!
Let's meet, build & connect!
About this Event

**The KEE Exchange **
NYC's Most Exclusive Real Estate & Entrepreneurs Appreciation Networking Event
You are invited to attend an amazing evening of networking and celebration at the Amazing New Venue, The Saint .
Presented by The KEE Path Foundation & RB The Realtor, this event promises to be the highlight of the season!
Date:
August 27, 2026
Time:
5:00pm - 9:00 pm
Location:
The Saint
136 2nd Ave., Manhattan, NY

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we honor and recognize the visionary entrepreneurs and distinguished professionals in the real estate industry.
Prepare to connect, build, and mingle with the crème de la crème of New York City's business elite.


Event Bonus Features:
Complimentary Professional Headshots provided!
Complimentary Video Content Recording!

Featured Speakers:

Ahmed Tigani NYC Dept. of Buildings Commissioner

Ahmed Tigani is the 27th Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). As Commissioner, Ahmed works across the agency's divisions to advance the agency's mission and objectives, foster collaboration, ensure operational and programmatic alignment, and strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders in order to ensure DOB is a thoughtful steward driving building safety, efficiency, and innovation in one of the world's most dynamic urban landscapes.

Prior to his appointment as DOB Commissioner, Ahmed served in several senior leadership roles at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Most recently he led HPD as Acting Commissioner. Prior to that, he served as First Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Neighborhood Strategies, and Chief Diversity Officer. During his tenure in leadership at HPD, the agency achieved significant outcomes, including placing more than 13,000 formerly homeless households into permanent affordable housing; approving over 31,000 housing lottery applicants; issuing more than 6,600 Housing Choice Vouchers; completing or attempting over 2.4 million housing maintenance code inspections; and financing or preserving more than 44,000 housing units, 5,000 of which were Mitchell- Lama units in FY25 alone. Since 2021, the agency also completed over 70 ULURP or discretionary actions that have facilitated, or will facilitate, the construction of nearly 5,800 new housing units.

Earlier in his career, Ahmed served at DOB as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner, where he was responsible for streamlining operations, accelerating project review, increasing transparency, and developing new tools to enhance construction and tenant safety. In this role, he also helped the agency navigate through the COVID- 19 pandemic response.

Ahmed previously served as Senior Advisor for Housing, Economic Development, and Labor in the Mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs during the de Blasio Administration, working closely with the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development on neighborhood rezonings, legislative priorities, and major development projects. Before that, he worked on community development, housing policy and land use issues in the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and in the City Council.

Ahmed is a proud alumnus of CUNY Hunter College.

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn encompassing Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood.

She is currently the New York State Assembly Majority Whip, Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and serves on the following committees: Housing, Education, Governmental Operations, Health, Higher Education, and Ways & Means. She also sits on Governor Kathy Hochul's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ MWBE Task Force.

Born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn as the daughter of Haitian immigrants and heir to Haiti’s slave abolitionist Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn is the first Haitian American woman elected in New York City.

Since Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn became a legislator in 2015, she has introduced over 200 pieces of Legislation, 34 of which became law, and has co-sponsored over 250 others.

As an Assemblymember and District Leader, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken and ardent advocate on issues concerning her Assembly District and all New Yorkers, including (but not limited to) immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, healthcare access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety and women’s and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.

As the New York State Assembly Majority Whip, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn also works to ensure that her fellow legislators are united on passing bills that aid their constituents and uplift all New Yorkers.

As the Chair of the MWBE Subcommittee, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn has been instrumental in the passage of laws she sponsored to help MWBEs thrive and succeed. Just some of the Assemblymember's sponsored MWBE-related bills signed into law in 2022 include legislation to: prevent fraud and abuse within the MWBE program (A9259); allow businesses to use MWBE Development and Lending Program funds to refinance existing debts (A6420); and doubling the discretionary spend threshold on state contracts to $1M without a need for competitive bidding (A10459).

Garry Anthony Johnson

Garry Anthony Johnson serves as the Second Vice President of the New York State NAACP, where he provides statewide leadership across more than 50 NAACP branches, advancing economic development, civic engagement, and community empowerment initiatives. He also serves as Chair of Economic Development for the New York State NAACP, working to expand opportunities for minority-owned businesses, workforce development, equitable access to capital, and participation in public and private sector contracting.
A trained architect with more than 30 years of experience spanning architecture, zoning, construction, real estate development, and economic development, Garry has built a career creating innovative projects that drive investment and revitalization in historically underserved communities. A graduate of the City College of New York School of Architecture, he has successfully led initiatives throughout New York and the Caribbean, combining visionary planning with strategic public-private partnerships.

Garry is the Founder and CEO of Paradise Express Ferry, LLC and the visionary behind Harlem Rocket, New York City’s first Black-owned maritime tourism and waterfront activation initiative. Through Harlem Rocket, he is leading the transformation of Harlem’s waterfront by creating new opportunities for tourism, transportation, workforce development, and economic growth while celebrating Harlem’s rich cultural legacy. The launch of the Hazel Dukes vessel marked a historic milestone in bringing this vision to life.

Throughout his career, Garry has remained committed to creating pathways for economic mobility, entrepreneurship, and community investment. His work continues to bridge architecture, real estate, maritime development, and public policy, demonstrating how visionary leadership can create lasting opportunities for communities across New York State and beyond.

Andrew Walcott

Andrew D. Walcott is the proud owner and operator of Fusion East Restaurant, located in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Fusion East is a full-service upscale Caribbean and Soul Food restaurant with an Afro Fusion menu that has been featured on Good Day New York, News 12 Brooklyn, Caribbean and Life, and the Amsterdam News.

As the founder and operator, Andrew is responsible for establishing the vision and monitoring the execution of the expanding restaurant operations. The restaurant opened for business in 2015 and has been a resounding success despite numerous challenges, including Covid-19 and competition from nearby national restaurant chains within Gateway Center Mall.

Fusion East is in discussions to open two new locations in 2027. Additionally, the restaurant has two food trucks in operation with more on the way.

Andrew, whose parents are immigrants from Barbados, grew up in Brooklyn and attended local public schools. He is a licensed Attorney At Law, Certified Public Accountant, and Air Force veteran. In addition, he has served on his local Community Board for 20 years and formerly taught at his alma mater, Brooklyn College, for 10 years.

Andrew began his career as a staff accountant at a local accounting firm and moved up the ranks continuously throughout his career. At various times in his career, he has served as Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel for a national recruiting company and Chief Auditor for the USA operations of a foreign investment bank. Andrew also had a private Law and CPA practice for many years, providing legal and accounting services throughout the Brooklyn community.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Brooklyn College, a Master of Business Administration degree from Pace University, and is a graduate of Fordham University School of Law.

He also serves on the Boards of various local groups including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, NYC Hospitality Alliance, NYC Veterans Advisory Board and the NYC Small Business Advisory Board.

Nyesha Hughes

Nyesha Hughes is the Agency Chief Diversity Officer and M/WBE Officer at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). She has also had the opportunity to work across several New York City agencies, including the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

In her role, Nyesha focuses on connecting Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) with meaningful subcontracting opportunities. She works closely with firms through individualized, one-on-one meetings, helping them navigate the City’s procurement process, identify opportunities, and successfully secure contracts while expanding their business portfolios.

In addition, she oversees the approval, recertification, and ongoing maintenance of the New York City Non-Public School Security Guard Qualified Providers List, ensuring compliance and operational integrity across the program.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------

Experience the height of sophistication with our curated selection of complimentary professional headshots and much more.

Make sure to bring your business cards, lucrative deals, and innovative ideas to engage with the most motivated and influential individuals in every profession.

Immerse yourself in an ambiance of opulence and style, with innovators and trend setters!
Music will be provided by the World Renowned - DJ Stokes


Dress Code:
Business Chic attire
*Admission at the doorman's discretion*

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed sponsors and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Including:

Municipal Credit Union, Adrian Bernard Photography, JFP Studios, Freedom Creator House

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the pinnacle of luxury, forge lasting connections, and foster the growth of your professional network. RSVP today to secure your place at this unparalleled event.


We can't wait to connect with you at our Exclusive Real Estate & Entrepreneurs Appreciation Networking Event.