Alumni Spotlight:
Asanté Balaam
BFA Fashion Merchandising; Minor in Marketing
Class of: 2018
The Journey Continues…
Real Estate Agent, eXp Realty
For Asanté Balaam ’18, Centenary University was a place where creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership, and confidence came together.
A resident of East Brunswick, New Jersey, Asanté earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing from Centenary in 2018. During her time on campus, she was actively involved as a member of Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, an Admissions work-study student, a Resident Assistant, and a member of Alpha Theta Psi Sorority. Asanté credits Centenary with helping her develop the initiative and self-starter mindset that continue to guide her career today.
“Centenary University prepared me for success by giving me the freedom and support to create my own opportunities,”
Asanté shared.
“Rather than waiting for experiences to come to me, I learned to take initiative.”
While at Centenary, Asanté launched an online vintage clothing business, sourcing unique pieces from thrift stores and managing every aspect of the business herself. She served as the buyer, merchandiser, stylist, photographer, website manager, marketer, customer service representative, and business owner. That experience helped her build skills in problem-solving, branding, time management, customer service, and entrepreneurship. She also had the opportunity to work with Professor Sharp to help organize the University’s 100-Year Fashion Show, strengthening her leadership, collaboration, and event-planning skills. While at Centenary, Asanté launched an online vintage clothing business, sourcing unique pieces from thrift stores and managing every aspect of the business herself. She served as the buyer, merchandiser, stylist, photographer, website manager, marketer, customer service representative, and business owner. That experience helped her build skills in problem-solving, branding, time management, customer service, and entrepreneurship. She also had the opportunity to work with Professor Sharp to help organize the University’s 100-Year Fashion Show, strengthening her leadership, collaboration, and event-planning skills.
Today, Asanté is a real estate agent with eXp Realty, where she helps buyers and sellers navigate the New Jersey market. She previously worked in retail buying and marketing and now applies those same creative and strategic skills to helping clients make confident decisions during significant moments in their lives.
“I feel like I have found my true purpose in helping people move from one chapter of their lives to the next through homeownership,”
Asanté shared.
“I look forward to helping more members of the Centenary community buy and sell real estate while demystifying the process as a whole.”
Her professional achievements include being named to Centenary University’s 30 Under 30 and receiving the New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. She also remains committed to service through volunteering at her church. Asanté’s short-term goal is to continue growing her real estate business while educating and guiding more buyers and sellers throughout New Jersey. She has already helped three fellow Centenary alumni achieve their real estate goals, including one who purchased a multifamily property and is now building wealth as a landlord.
Long term, Asanté hopes to build a successful real estate team, mentor new agents, and continue making a positive impact through education, service, and strong relationships. Her advice to today’s Centenary students is to take initiative and create their own opportunities.
“Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—create them,”
Asanté said.
“Your degree is important, but the initiative you take, the connections you build, and the experiences you create will often have the biggest impact on your future.”
Asanté’s story reflects the power of a Centenary education—one that encourages students to lead with creativity, embrace opportunity, build meaningful connections, and turn their passions into purpose.