Building Wealth, Community, and Legacy in Atlanta’s Real Estate Landscape
In a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit and Black excellence, Sonia Booker stands out as one of Atlanta’s most influential voices in real estate and wealth building. Known as the “Wealth Builder,” Sonia is an award-winning entrepreneur, real estate mogul, author, and investor who has dedicated more than two decades to helping others create generational wealth through property ownership and intentional investing.
A Woman with Vision
Sonia Booker’s story began with a vision bigger than herself — a vision rooted in legacy, access, and empowerment. After purchasing her first investment property in her early twenties, she quickly realized that real estate could be more than a business venture; it could be a tool for transformation.
Today, as CEO of 16th Street Equity Group, Sonia leads with a purpose-driven mission: to reimagine affordable housing and restore communities throughout metro Atlanta. Her company has developed and managed more than $200 million in residential and commercial projects, creating spaces that are both profitable and impactful.
The Power of Mentorship and Legacy
Sonia often credits her early mentorship under the late Herman J. Russell Sr., one of Atlanta’s legendary Black developers, for shaping her business mindset and her heart for community. Under his influence, she learned that wealth is not just about accumulation — it’s about circulation.
Her career is a reflection of that principle. From condominium conversions in Midtown Atlanta to revitalization projects in East Point and beyond, Sonia’s work focuses on building environments where families can thrive and communities can grow stronger.
Empowering Women to Build Wealth
Beyond her business ventures, Sonia is deeply passionate about empowering women to take control of their financial futures. Through her initiatives under Sonia Booker Enterprises, she has built an ecosystem of empowerment that includes:
- The Inner Circle, a women’s wealth community that began in her living room and has grown to connect more than 700 women globally. Together, they’ve generated over $10 million in wealth creation through real estate, entrepreneurship, and investment strategies.
- Sunny Girl Books, a publishing company designed to help women tell their stories, own their voices, and build wealth through authorship.
- The Vault Foundation, a nonprofit arm that transforms historic bank buildings into wellness and wealth-centered community spaces.
Sonia’s bestselling book, Real Estate & Wealth: Investing in the American Dream, has inspired thousands to take their first steps toward ownership and equity. Her message is clear: you don’t have to be wealthy to start — but you must start to build wealth.
Reimagining Atlanta’s Future
As a developer, Sonia’s projects are changing the landscape of Atlanta, particularly in neighborhoods that have long been overlooked. She served as the first Black female chair of the East Point Downtown Development Authority, overseeing more than $100 million in revitalization efforts, and continues to push for sustainable, inclusive growth across the city.
Her work goes beyond property lines — it’s about shaping futures, empowering families, and ensuring that Black and Brown communities have a stake in Atlanta’s evolving skyline.
A Woman to Watch
Sonia Booker is not just building structures — she’s building legacy. Her work embodies what Real Women Atlanta celebrates: power, purpose, and possibility. She is proof that with vision, mentorship, and a commitment to community, women can build wealth that outlives them.
“My mission is to create wealth — not just for me, but for women, families, and communities who have been left out of the conversation,” says Booker. “We are rewriting the narrative of ownership and legacy, one property at a time.”
As Atlanta continues to grow, Sonia Booker is ensuring that Black women are not just watching from the sidelines — they’re owning the land, leading the deals, and shaping the future.
Follow Sonia Booker
Website: www.soniabooker.com
Book: Real Estate & Wealth: Investing in the American Dream
Instagram: @soniabooker
