Pronouns: She/Her
Lafayette Degree & Major(s): Bachelor of Arts, Economics; Spanish minor
Location: Baltimore, MD
Title: CEO/Co-Founder
Employer: Charm City Buyers
Describe what your employer/organization does: Charm City Buyers is a Baltimore-based real estate development and education company. We focus on transforming vacant and distressed properties into thriving homes and neighborhoods while teaching others to do the same. Through our NEXTGen Accelerator, participants have collectively invested over $50 million into Baltimore real estate since 2021. On the development side, our company has over 150 units in the pipeline, most of which are expected to be delivered or under construction in 2026. Our clients range from first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors, all committed to building wealth while making a positive community impact.
Please provide a brief overview of your role: As co-founder of Charm City Buyers, I primarily lead the education and brand side of the business. I design and run programs like NEXTGen, mentor investors nationwide, and manage our digital presence across YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms. I also focus on storytelling—sharing Baltimore’s real estate opportunities and inspiring others to invest responsibly. While my husband, Khalil, oversees much of the development pipeline, I stay involved in strategic direction while ensuring our education and online platforms connect thousands of people to the resources, training, and inspiration they need to succeed.
What gets you excited to go to work each day? I’m energized by the chance to inspire and equip others to change their lives through real estate. Seeing NEXTGen participants close deals, watching our audience learn from our videos or courses, and knowing we’re building both generational wealth for families and stronger communities for Baltimore motivates me every day. The ability to merge my passion for education, storytelling, and impact is what keeps me excited to show up and keep pushing forward.
What keeps you up at night as you think about the opportunities (or challenges) related to your work? What keeps me up at night is balancing the scale of opportunity with the responsibility to do it well. In Baltimore, there are thousands of vacant properties and billions of dollars earmarked for revitalization. The challenge is ensuring that this momentum doesn’t leave communities behind or repeat the mistakes of past development. I think about how we can equip investors with the tools to create both wealth and impact, while also making sure our own projects stay on time, on budget, and aligned with community needs.
What key strengths are necessary to be successful in entering this career field? Resilience and adaptability are critical. Real estate rarely goes exactly as planned, so being able to problem-solve and pivot is key. Strong communication skills also matter—whether that’s negotiating with contractors, teaching investors, or connecting with communities. Lastly, vision and patience are essential. This field requires you to see potential where others may only see challenges, and to stay committed long enough to bring that vision to life.
Is education beyond a Lafayette degree required to pursue this path? Formal education beyond Lafayette isn’t required, but continuous learning is non-negotiable. Real estate is hands-on and ever-changing, so I’ve gained the most through taking action, surrounding myself with peer and like-minded individuals, and staying plugged into policy and market trends. Classes, workshops, certifications, and mastermind groups can be incredibly beneficial for building technical skills and networks. At the same time, the foundation I built at Lafayette—critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication—prepared me to confidently step into spaces where the path wasn’t always clear and create opportunities along the way.
How did your Lafayette experience equip you for success in your career field, especially as an early career professional? Lafayette prepared me to think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively—skills that are essential in both entrepreneurship and real estate. The small class sizes and close faculty relationships pushed me to take ownership of my learning, which translated directly into taking ownership of my career. Early on, I didn’t always have a clear blueprint for what I was building, but Lafayette gave me the confidence to own my seat at any table, ask the right questions, and create opportunities where none seemed to exist.
What specific experiences during your time at Lafayette made the greatest impact on your professional path? Leadership opportunities and real-world application had the greatest impact. Being involved in campus organizations, the alumni office, etc, taught me how to lead, collaborate, and navigate different perspectives—skills I use daily in business. Internships and research opportunities helped me connect theory to practice and showed me the value of initiative. Those experiences taught me that success isn’t about waiting for the perfect opportunity but about taking the resources you have and building something from them.
As it relates to career exploration and development, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you could go back in time and tell your student self? I would tell myself not to wait until I feel 100% “ready” to start. Opportunities rarely come when everything feels perfectly aligned, but action creates clarity. The skills and experiences you’re gaining now will equip you more than you realize. Start exploring, testing ideas, and saying “yes” to opportunities sooner. You’ll learn faster, build confidence, and be surprised at how much you’re capable of when you just take the first step.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing your career field? Start by being curious and willing to learn. Real estate and entrepreneurship can feel intimidating, but no one begins with all the answers. Build a strong foundation of knowledge, surround yourself with mentors, and don’t be afraid to take small, consistent steps toward your goals. Be resilient, understanding that setbacks will happen, but each one is a chance to grow. Most importantly, stay true to your values. Success in this field isn’t just about building wealth; it’s about building impact and legacy.
What strategies, tools, or other efforts do you utilize to find “balance” or reduce your career-related stress? I’ve learned to set clear boundaries between work and personal time, even when both overlap. I rely on planning tools to stay organized, but I also give myself permission to step away and recharge. Exercise, journaling, and surrounding myself with a supportive community help me keep perspective. For me, balance isn’t about doing everything equally. Balance is about being fully present wherever I am.
How do you enjoy spending your free time when not at work? I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time with my family, and trying new food. Exploring new places and experiences helps me recharge and brings fresh perspective into my work.
What was your favorite spot on Lafayette’s campus when you were a student? My favorite spots were Farinon and the Black Cultural Center with all my friends. Both gave me a sense of community and belonging through connecting with friends over meals or celebrating culture, identity, or simply each other. Those spaces grounded me and made my Lafayette experience truly memorable.
Would you like to connect with Kyara to learn more about her career path?
Ms. Gray-Uqdah is happy to connect with students via email. If you’d like to connect with Kyara by email, please contact your Gateway Career Counselor for details.
