Born in Kingston, Jamaica, André Collins was raised in a family defined by humble beginnings and strong values. His mother, a dedicated police officer, and his father, a hardworking waiter, instilled in him the importance of perseverance and hard work. At age 18, André moved to Charlotte, NC, on a full athletic scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), where he excelled both academically and athletically, setting university track records, becoming a CIAA conference champion, and earning multiple NCAA All-American and All-Academic honors as a sprint hurdler.

André’s drive for success was deeply influenced by his paternal grandmother, Ms. Lucille Isaacs, who migrated to the United States and supported numerous households in Jamaica on a caregiver’s salary. Her battle with stage 4 cancer and subsequent passing left a profound impact on André, igniting his passion for giving back to those in need.

André dances in memory of Lucille, his maternal grandmother Ms. Gloria McDonald, and his grand-aunt Ms. Rosetta Gardner, women who played pivotal roles in his life but tragically lost their battles with cancer. Their love and sacrifices continue to fuel his desire to succeed and contribute to others. His maternal grandfather, Verley Rochester, is currently battling prostate cancer, adding another layer of personal significance to his journey. He honors the memory of Mrs. Regina Fisher, a dear friend and mentor whose unwavering support and guidance were pivotal during his early years as an legal immigrant and throughout his diligent journey to becoming a legal naturalized U.S. citizen in 2017.

With a BSc in Banking & Finance from JCSU and a MSc in Real Estate Finance & Development from UNC-Charlotte (Childress Klein Center for Real Estate), along with the highly regarded SIOR and CCIM designations, André has become a leader in the commercial real estate industry who is passionate about the community. After beginning his career in corporate finance at Belk Inc. and later excelling at Lincoln Harris (Lincoln Property Company), André is currently the Founding Partner at First & Early Partners, a high-tough commercial real estate advisory firm.

André is married to KéCee, and they have two beautiful daughters, Harper and Savannah, along with their dog, Diggy. His dance is a tribute and a commitment to making a difference for others in need in our community.