Meet James T. Tarpeh, II '92

BIO

James T. Tarpeh II is a commercial real estate executive, finance professional, and educator who serves as Executive Director of the Morehouse Real Estate Institute. A proud member of the Morehouse College Class of 1992, he returned to his alma mater with a clear mission: to build one of the nation’s premier platforms for developing the next generation of commercial real estate leaders.

Drawing on a career spanning commercial banking, corporate leadership, and real estate strategy, Tarpeh brings the discipline of capital markets and institutional investment directly into the classroom. Under his leadership, the Institute is rapidly emerging as both a pipeline for exceptional talent and a thought leadership platform shaping conversations around capital, development, and community impact in the commercial real estate industry. 

Prior to returning to Morehouse, Tarpeh built a distinguished career in commercial banking and corporate finance, advising businesses, developers, and entrepreneurs on capital formation, structured finance, and growth strategy. His work focused on aligning capital with opportunity—helping organizations scale operations, finance complex projects, and execute development initiatives that generated economic growth and community impact.

He later held senior operational leadership roles overseeing large-scale commercial initiatives and complex project launches that required aligning capital, strategy, and execution across multiple stakeholders.

Today, Tarpeh leads the strategic growth of the Morehouse Real Estate Institute, positioning it as both a premier training ground for future industry leaders and an emerging thought leader within the commercial real estate community. Under his leadership, the Institute emphasizes rigorous financial analysis, real-world development experience, and direct engagement with industry partners. Students participate in feasibility studies, market analysis, and development strategy for live projects across Atlanta and beyond.

Committed to the belief that real estate sits at the intersection of capital, policy, and community transformation, Tarpeh’s work focuses on preparing Morehouse Men to become investors, developers, and leaders who shape the built environment while expanding opportunity in the communities they serve.

“Who sits in the room when capital meets community shapes the future of opportunity. The Morehouse Real Estate Institute exists to ensure Morehouse Men are prepared to be in those rooms—and to move the conversation forward.” - James Tarpeh