Ericka Keller truly has a heart for community development and revitalization. Attending school on full academic scholarships and graduating Magna Cum Laude, Ericka earned her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Professional Certification degrees from New York University, Brooklyn College, and the College of St. Rose, respectively. Ericka commenced her career as a junior high school teacher and served 10 years as NYC Department of Education Principal before taking over the family business of construction and development in 2012. Ericka built upon Brisa Builders Corp’s history as a HUD 202 General Contractor building senior housing for faith-based sponsors and in 2016 opened her own company Brisa Builders Development LLC, focusing on the development of affordable housing with faith-based organizations and church partners. Over 660 units of affordable housing have been built with more than 108,575 sq. ft. of commercial/retail and community facility spaces, many with faith-based partners. There are over 700 units in predevelopment in NYC including 233 units as the selected developer for the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Brownsville RFP- Site B in 2018. In 2019, she partnered with a colleague to expand the business outside of the NYC metro area by forming Brisa Development LLC, which was awarded a number of projects in the Eastern region. Ericka has also received several awards and citations during the course of both of her careers including, the 2009 Queens Rotary Club “Unsung Hero Award”, 2010 NYS Senate “Constituent of the Month Citation”, 2012 National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) “Woman of the Year Award” the 2015 Mayor Hall -Village of Hempstead “Woman of the Year Award ”, including recognitions from recent colleagues like the New York State Association of Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) 2021 M/WBE of the Year and 2021 Crain’s Notable Business Woman Recognition. Ericka also provides an annual scholarship to young men from Brooklyn, pursuing college with an entrepreneurial spirit, in honor of her late father, Thomas B. Keller.