Meet Munif Ali | Founder and Chairman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Munif Ali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Munif, how does your business help the community?
“At the core of everything I build—whether it’s a real estate firm, a mortgage company, a media studio, or a nonprofit—is one mission: to empower underestimated people to own more, earn more, and lead more.

That drive is personal. I didn’t come from wealth or connections. When my father left, we went from middle class to no class. My mother was an immigrant who couldn’t read or write English. We ended up in public housing in one of the toughest parts of the Bay Area. But even with all that stacked against her, she found a way to buy a home—and that moment flipped a switch in me. It showed me what ownership really means. Not just financially, but mentally. That you could build stability, even in chaos.

That’s what I’ve been chasing ever since—not just success for myself, but systems that make success possible for others. Through my companies, we teach people how to build wealth, buy homes, start businesses, and take control of their future. We’re hands-on. We hire from the community. We train, we mentor, we invest. And we don’t just show up—we show people how to rise up.

This isn’t about empire-building. It’s about legacy-building—for communities that were never handed a blueprint.

If I can make it from the projects to the boardroom, I’m making damn sure I’m not the last.”

What should our readers know about your business?
We run a group of companies that are all connected with one goal: building ownership, access, and opportunity—especially for people who’ve been left out of the system.

That’s what sets us apart. We don’t just sell houses, close escrows, or do loans—we train people. We teach them how to build wealth. We hire from our community. We show them how to duplicate success, not just chase it. Everything is connected. This is an ecosystem, not just a collection of businesses.

We’ve built a real estate brokerage, a mortgage company, an escrow company, a construction company, a media agency, and a nonprofit—all working in sync. That’s not accidental. That’s strategy. That’s system-building. That’s long-term thinking.

We started with Pacific Playa Realty, a real estate brokerage based in Los Angeles. The goal? To give agents real training, real support, and real results—not just a desk and a logo. We’ve helped brand-new agents close multimillion-dollar deals. And we’ve built a culture that’s inclusive, accountable, and built to win.

Then we launched New Era Escrow, because our clients and our agents deserved better communication, smoother closings, and a team that understands how to handle business with care. We didn’t want excuses. We wanted excellence—and we built it ourselves.

Next came Nclusive Financial, our mortgage company. We’re focused on funding everyday people, not just the already-wealthy. We help people get into homes, refinance, and invest wisely. We’re actively working toward CDFI certification so we can provide capital to underserved borrowers, small business owners, and anyone who’s been overlooked by traditional lending.

We also created LEVL Up Construction to handle renovations, ADUs, flips, and build-outs. Because when you own the full process—from the loan to the close to the remodel—you serve people better, faster, and with more integrity. And most importantly, you keep wealth circulating in your community instead of outsourcing it.

Then we launched Ensemble Digital Media (EDM)—our media and marketing team. They handle everything from branding to video to social content across all of The MPOWR Collective and for outside clients. They help us show up right, online and offline. They help us tell our story loud, clear, and consistently.

And finally, The Mpowr Foundation, our nonprofit. It focuses on mentorship, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and community empowerment. We offer scholarships, business funding, youth programs, and free workshops for both young adults and grown folks. This isn’t charity. It’s a launchpad.

We built all of this the hard way. No trust fund. No big investor. Just grit, strategy, and a refusal to quit. We didn’t inherit anything but work ethic, survival skills, and persistence. We reinvested every dollar. We learned every lesson. We failed forward and we kept building.

We were told we couldn’t build something “professional” in the neighborhoods we serve. That we’d never find good staff, never attract real clients, never scale past our zip code. But we knew better. We knew the talent was here, the hunger was real, and the vision was bigger than anyone could see at the time. So we went all in.

And the truth? It wasn’t easy.
Nothing about this was handed to us. We fought for every win. We sacrificed. We made tough calls. But we built something real. And we did it as a team.

What we’re most proud of?
Watching people change their lives. Seeing our people become leaders. Watching youth we’ve mentored become homeowners, entrepreneurs, and mentors themselves. That’s the real ROI. That’s what keeps us going.

What we’ve learned?
That consistency beats talent. That systems beat slogans. That leadership is a responsibility, not a flex. That culture will always eat strategy. That if you build something with real values at the core, the right people will show up—and the wrong ones will walk themselves out.

And we’ve learned that people thrive when you give them the tools and the truth.

What do we want the world to know?
We didn’t build this for status.
We didn’t build this for the spotlight.
We built this because we wanted to prove that people from the bottom could create something sustainable, something powerful, something that changes lives.

Our companies don’t just do business. They build legacies. They shift mindsets. They open doors.

We’re not trying to be the only ones winning—we’re building a system where everybody eats.
That’s the story.
That’s the brand.
That’s the mission.
And we’re just getting started. We will scale this.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting L.A. for a week, here’s how we’d do it. Not the tourist version—the real version.
This would be a mix of soul, culture, food, history, and a few flexes. LA is layered. You’ve got to hit the right mix of neighborhoods, flavors, and people to really feel it.

Day 1 – Landing + Westside Sunset
Pick them up from LAX, head straight to Dockweiler Beach to decompress. Planes overhead, toes in the sand—it’s the perfect intro to L.A. energy.

Then we’d cruise up the coast. Maybe hit a scenic stop in Malibu, depending on the vibes. Even if some restaurants are gone, the coastline still speaks for itself.

We would drive down the coast to have Dinner at Kaya Sushi in Manhattan Beach—chill, fresh, and never too crowded.

End the night with a slow walk on The Strand, catching that ocean breeze. Grab some dessert at The Creamery

Day 2 – Legacy, Books & Vibes
Start the morning in View Park, grab coffee at ORA Coffee—it’s elevated, it’s Black-owned, and it’s part of the new heartbeat of the neighborhood.

Stop by the newly opened LORE bookstore—a cultural hub for thought, creativity, and Black literature.

Head into Leimert Park after for a walk, check out the art, and soak in the spirit of the community.

Lunch? Maybe grab something light from the farmer’s market at Playa Vista—it’s always a peaceful walk.

Sunset dinner in Downtown Culver City—somewhere like Margot, where the rooftop vibe feels right.

Day 3 – Friday Flow
Jummah prayers at King Fahd Mosque in Culver City. That’s spiritual reset. Peace, reflection, and community.

Afterwards, walk through Culver City’s arts district. It’s been revived—lots of creative energy there.

Swing by El Segundo and take them to The MPOWR Collective HQ, show them what we’re building.

While we’re down there, check out the Lakers Headquarters, and stop by some of the famous toy and design companies—El Segundo’s low-key a creative capital.

Dinner at Sunnin in Westwood or a top-tier halal spot—something that hits, with flavor and intention.

Day 4 – Real Estate + Real Talk
We’d start in Ladera Heights, show them the neighborhood, talk legacy, walk past some of the million-dollar homes that Black families built brick by brick.

Then drive through Baldwin Hills Estates, also known as “The Black Beverly Hills.”

Morning hike at Kenneth Hahn Park—underrated views of downtown, West LA, and beyond.

Quick tour of the area: Windsor Hills, View Park, all of it.

Lunch at a beachside spot like The Strand House in Manhattan Beach—light, coastal, solid.

Chill evening—maybe just some cigars, conversation, and music at the house.

Day 5 – LA High/Low: From Griffith to the Grove
Morning hike to Griffith Observatory. It’s a classic for a reason—the views, the trail, the air.

Grab coffee and head down to The Grove, not to shop, but to people-watch, catch a breath, maybe grab a quick bite at Joan’s on Third.

Swing by Melrose or Fairfax if they want to check out some streetwear or small brands.

Night drinks or dinner at Delilah or The Highlight Room—L.A. after dark, upscale, curated, nothing too loud.

Day 6 – Entrepreneur Day
We’d start the day by taking them behind the scenes of Pacific Playa Realty, New Era Escrow, and Nclusive Financial. Show them what ownership looks like when it’s done intentionally.

We’d probably film something with the team at Ensemble Digital Media if they’re down.

And then hit a midday workshop or walkthrough at The Mpowr Foundation, depending on what’s happening.

Dinner at Merois (if it’s a flex night) or something more low-key like Father’s Office in Culver City.

Wind down with late-night rooftop views, maybe catch a Lakers game if the season’s right.

Day 7 – Sunday Recharge
Brunch at Alta Adams (Black-owned, elevated soul food, beautiful space).

Cruise up the coast one last time—Paradise Cove, maybe even Point Dume. Let them take in that Pacific calm.

Final stop: sunset reflection and some good talk back at home. That’s how we close out a trip—with gratitude and grounding.

L.A. isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you do it and who you do it with.
If you’re with me, you’re going to see the real thing.
The legacy, the struggle, the beauty, the power, and the possibility.

That’s L.A. through my lens.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
“My shoutout starts with my mom.

When my dad left, we were left with nothing. No safety net. No steady income. She pulled me and my brothers together and held us down—through public housing, through long days and nights working multiple jobs. She had standards. She taught us to keep our heads up, to stay clean, and to move with pride, even when we had nothing.

In just over three years, she managed to buy a house—directly across the street from the projects. And I’ll never forget the day we walked in. Same neighborhood. Same playgrounds. Same gangbangers. Same churchgoers. Same corner store. But when we turned that doorknob and stepped inside our own place, it hit different. Because she did that. Alone. No help. That sense of independence changed me forever. It showed me that when you earn something yourself, it plants something deeper than success—it plants courage. And for me, that was the beginning of everything.

I became obsessed with real estate because I saw what it did for us. It gave us pride. It gave us peace. It gave us a path. And I knew then: ownership could be the key to closing the wealth gap—not over generations, but within a few years if you’re focused, disciplined, and willing to sacrifice. That’s the game my mother taught me.

I’ll also give it up to my short stint in the military.
That experience grounded me. I learned how to lead from the front, not the top. That leaders eat last. That leadership doesn’t come from a title—it comes from how you show up. Whether you’re sweeping floors or calling the shots, how you carry yourself matters. That mindset still shapes how I build my teams and how I serve.

And finally, this shoutout is for the underestimated. The overlooked. The people from places like mine—who were told they couldn’t build anything professional, anything meaningful, because of where they’re from. I was told the same thing. But I knew better. I knew the talent was there. I just had to create systems, give people the right tools, add accountability and equity—and get out of their way.

That’s what I do now. That’s who I build for.”

Website: https://www.munifali.com/

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