Empowered Leadership Is Reshaping Real Estate: Meet Dr. Shenetta Malkia-Sapp
Written by Matt Emma
Modern real estate leadership is changing. It now goes beyond property and profit to include the well-being of communities and the people who live in them. Dr. Shenetta Malkia-Sapp, Ph.D., demonstrates this shift through her work as CEO and Principal Broker of Sable Edge Realty and Sable Edge Management. These full-service firms combine practical expertise with a strong commitment to clients throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Georgia.
Reimagining Brokerage and Property Management
With more than 25 years of experience in property management, sales, leasing, real estate development, and operations, Dr. Malkia-Sapp leads with clarity and consistent purpose. She became Principal Broker in 2021 and has guided her companies through continual growth across multiple states.Clients often describe the Sable Edge experience as something that “looks like magic.” Behind that impression is a leadership approach shaped by transparency and realistic expectations. Her philosophy, “under-promise and over-deliver,” guides her teams and helps maintain strong occupancy and client retention.
Serving Diverse Markets with Skilled Insight
Dr. Malkia-Sapp’s background covers a wide range of property types. Over the course of her career, she has managed portfolios spanning 500 to 1,500 units, working across multifamily housing, commercial spaces, redevelopment projects, and relocation services. She holds broker’s licenses in four states and maintains the respected SHCM® certification, along with a Property Manager license in Washington, D.C.Her early experience in affordable housing has strongly shaped how she approaches leadership today. She began her career managing HOPE VI communities and conventional multifamily sites, and she continues to apply the lessons learned during those years. Her focus remains steady: build stronger communities and support the people who rely on stable housing.
Empowerment as a Business Principle
Empowerment guides every part of Dr. Malkia-Sapp’s work. She incorporates mentorship into her leadership structure, encourages professional development among her agents and staff, and educates clients to help them feel confident in major financial decisions.Her nonprofit, Empowerment Essence, extends this same philosophy into mental wellness and community education. The organization focuses on suicide prevention and anti-bullying resources. Her dedication to this mission is shaped by personal experience, and her belief that “One Life Saved Is One Life Given” remains central to her outreach.
Where Advocacy and Enterprise Connect
From 2014 to 2019, Dr. Malkia-Sapp served as a Commissioner on Maryland’s Governor’s Commission for Suicide Prevention. Today, she brings that awareness into her real estate work by helping create environments where tenant well-being matters just as much as property performance.Her approach demonstrates that real estate can support healthier, more informed communities when leadership is grounded in compassion and service.
Creative Direction Strengthens Her Professional Presence
Dr. Malkia-Sapp’s career extends into modeling, acting, and production. She studied fashion merchandising and film before earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration at Bowie State University. Through her work with Malkia Relations, she blends media, branding, and storytelling. Her experience in television and film, including principal roles in Tried by Fire, Gimmie the Loot, Black Thunder, and Keeper of the Candle, adds dimension to her public presence and strengthens client trust.Her pageantry achievements, including International Ms. USA 2021, reflect both her confidence and her commitment to uplifting others through representation.
