Claudienne Hibbert-Smith became a mother at the age of 14, but she didn’t let this deter her from pursuing her dreams. She graduated from Miami Carol City & University of Florida, and by age 21, she had earned her real estate license and purchased her first duplex, beginning a career that would change her life forever and those around her.
Today, she is one of the most successful real estate professionals in South Florida and the U.S., having closed more than $1 billion in real estate sales two decades into her career.
In an industry where Black agents usually face systemic barriers, are overlooked, and are not able to close a million dollars in sales, Hibbert-Smith is making it, and she wants others like her to follow in her footsteps.
An international real estate coach, speaker, and trainer, Hibbert-Smith empowers women in real estate through her organization, the National Association of Real Estate Women (NAREW). She teaches women and moms in the industry how to sell more homes and compete well in a male-dominated industry. “Her organization focuses on mentorship, education, and providing aspiring entrepreneurs who need it most, ensuring that others have a real chance to break generational cycles,” a release about her organization said.
The real estate mogul is also the founder of TRU Real Estate Exchange, a powerhouse real estate team based in South Florida, led by Hibbert-Smith and powered by EXP Realty. TRU helps buyers, sellers, and investors attain their real estate goals while also mentoring and inspiring fellow realtors, guiding them toward achieving remarkable success in their careers.
“Beyond real estate sales, I am an accomplished investor, owning multiple income-generating properties and empowering others to build and grow their own profitable portfolios,” Hibbert-Smith says on TRU’s website.
“As an educator and speaker, I passionately share my journey, strategies, and insights, equipping others with the tools they need to achieve financial freedom through real estate.”
Earlier this month, Hibbert-Smith and her team were honored for their dedication to improving lives through real estate wealth building and homeownership. The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) recognized her with the Top Teams Award for an incredible $377 million in sales volume in 2024.
In a release cited by Black News, NAREB said the award is a reflection of her team’s commitment to “educating buyers and sellers on building wealth through real estate; expanding access to grants, down payment assistance, and financing options; developing agents into industry leaders through training, mentorship, and systems; and creating impact far beyond sales numbers by fostering homeownership in underserved communities.”
Hibbert-Smith said, “winning this award is about more than numbers — it’s about creating opportunities, building legacies, and proving that when we work together, we can transform entire communities. I’m honored to stand on the shoulders of those who fought for democracy in housing, and I’m committed to carrying that mission forward through every deal, every agent, and every family we serve.”
NAREB, the oldest minority trade association in America, was founded in 1947 to support Black real estate professionals amid the barriers that limit their access to opportunities and resources within the industry.
Besides her current honor from NAREB, Hibbert-Smith was recently recognized by the City of Miami Gardens in the Women’s Exposition as Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things. The mother and wife also has a Humanitarian Unsung Hero Award.
