Don Peebles

R. Donahue "Don" Peebles is one of the most successful real estate developers in America and the founder of the Peebles Corporation, one of the largest Black-owned real estate development companies in the country. His portfolio includes luxury residential towers, hotels, and mixed-use developments in New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., and other major cities, with a total value exceeding $8 billion.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1960, Peebles grew up in a middle-class family and developed an early interest in real estate. He got his start in property tax appeals — helping property owners challenge their tax assessments — before moving into development. His first major project was the Royal Palm Hotel on Miami Beach, a $75 million development that established him as a force in the luxury real estate market.

Peebles has been a vocal advocate for increasing minority participation in the real estate industry, arguing that the massive gap in real estate ownership between white and Black Americans is one of the primary drivers of the racial wealth gap. His book, The Peebles Principles, outlines strategies for entrepreneurial success. He has been considered as a candidate for public office and remains one of the most influential Black business leaders in the country.