Kevin Itima, a first-generation Nigerian-American born in Houston, Texas, was born to Nigerian Delta state immigrants, Helen and Romeo Itima. Kevin spent a portion of his high school tenure in Lagos, Nigeria an unforgettable experience that changed the direction of his life, immensely. He received his undergraduate degree at Jackson State on a track/cross country scholarship and received his master’s in public administration from the University of Houston.

After the completion of his undergraduate degree, Kevin moved to the Metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. where he planted seeds of influence in the field of education. He later became a member of the Baltimore County Fire Department. Upon the passing of his father, Kevin returned to Houston, to run his own real estate investment firm where he cut his teeth on fix and flips, new construction, and value-add multifamily acquisitions. These experiences have not only taught him the hands-on lessons that investors must learn but also afforded him the ability to watch the dynamic changes in market cycles across several cities. Upon his move to Chicago, he completed his commercial real estate analysis and investment from MIT School of Architecture and Planning.

Kevin’s first self-published work, E Ware Mumene (I’m Coming Home), is currently utilized in several different schools as a teaching tool. The largest to incorporate the book into their learning curriculum is Jackson State University’s Department of Criminal Justice. E Ware Mumene, placed as required reading, highlights that one’s past does not dictate their future. His second piece, Anthology of the Brothers, a collection of short stories about African males, came just a year later. He has also begun to dabble in film and produced his first documentary, The Price of a Dream which tells the inspirational story of his father, Captain Romeo.

When Kevin finds himself idle, he sticks to his passion for community outreach. Serving as the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League president from 2019-2021 offered him the opportunity to make a positive impact in the Chicago land area and stay engaged with many young professionals who believe in making a difference.
“In its infancy stages, greatness is just another fly-by-night idea,
but once obtained, it’s a master plan no one saw coming.”