Do you go by Rasheid or Karl?

I get asked almost every day, "So, do you go by Rasheid or Karl?" usually followed by an awkward laugh. And I generally say, "I answer to both, it's a long story." Well, here's a quick version of that long story.

Embarking on a Dream in the Nation's Capital

You know, it all started in Washington, DC. Inspired by "Rich Dad Poor Dad," I dove into real estate, eager and optimistic. My first venture? A two-unit rental property. It felt like a dream – good tenants, steady cash flow, the whole deal.

The Rough Patch: Tenants and Trials

But life's not all smooth sailing, right? Soon enough, I hit some rough waters. Tenants falling behind on rent, court battles... it was a lot. Juggling two mortgages, working both day and night shifts, sleeping under my desk – it was a real test of my mettle.

A New Chapter: Airbnb

In the thick of it all, someone asked me – why not try Airbnb? So, I did. I put everything I had into getting the properties Airbnb-ready. When I put the listing online the bookings started rolling in, but the reviews didn't match the quality of the homes. I would almost always get at 4-stars (out of 5) and generally accompanied by condescending 'advice'. It made me wonder, what was I doing wrong?

I even tried my hand at a service managing people's properties as Airbnbs. Similarly, the leads came in quickly but when I followed-up, I would never get a reply.

The Paris Epiphany

Then came a trip to Paris for an Airbnb conference. Met a fellow black-male host who had success when he changed his name and profile picture on Airbnb and suggested that I do the same. I was skeptical but he referenced a Harvard Business Review article about unconscious bias. So, I switched to 'Karl' (my middle name) and put up a silhouette image. Little did I know how much that would shake things up.

A Twist in Paris

The timing was wild – the Paris bombings was that exact same night. The host of the Airbnb that we stayed at was suspicious because of the timing of my name change and the madness across the city. "Rasheid changed his name to Karl?!?" It got a little stressful, but I managed to clear it up.

Seeing the Change: Karl's Rise

Back home, things took a turn for the better. With only my name change and no modification to my properties, my Airbnb reviews shot up, and my property management business started booming. I even got featured in The Washington Post. Sure, my real identity was eventually revealed, but by then, my business was on solid ground.

Looking Back: Reflections and Insights

So, that's my tale of two names. It's been quite the ride – full of ups, downs, and plenty of lessons. Akin to a living embodiment of Langston Hughes' poem 'I, Too,' my journey personifies its hopeful ending, reflecting a transition from underestimation to a place of strength and acknowledgment.

Let's take this as a chance to think, to grow. We've all got biases, but recognizing them is the first step toward change. Join me in this continuing journey of self-discovery as we, too, strive to be at the table, recognized and proud of our contributions.