In the Season 2 premiere of The Real Deal with Empire, we sit down with James Mallette, the former principal of Robichaud High School, whose bold career pivot into real estate is nothing short of inspiring.

James shares his powerful journey from leading in education to leading in real estate — now thriving as a licensed agent, investor, and contractor. But he didn’t stop there. Today, James is part of a groundbreaking initiative helping develop over 2,000 affordable homes in Cleveland, proving that real estate can be both a business and a force for community transformation.

We explore what inspired his transition, how he leverages his leadership background in his new ventures, and what it takes to truly build impact — both personally and for the communities we serve.

This is more than a career change. It’s a mission. And it’s The Real Deal.