Eries Black Wall Street

In the heart of Erie, the block is rising—brick by brick.

Erie’s Black Wall Street (EBWS) is more than an organization; it’s a movement to build wealth, ownership, and opportunity for Black families and entrepreneurs in our city. Every dollar invested helps lay a literal and figurative brick toward an inclusive, prosperous Erie where everyone can thrive.

Through our Pathway to Homeownership program, we are rewriting the story of Black homeownership in Erie. In 2020, the rate for Black residents was just 1.9%. Since launching in 2021, we’ve increased it to 5.5%, distributing over $100,000 in down payment assistance and helping 16 families become homeowners. Alongside this financial support, we provide homebuyer education, credit counseling, and the tools needed for lasting generational wealth.

Our New Wall Street Ventures program is sparking entrepreneurship across the city—supporting 70 Black and minority business owners in just the past two years, with a growing waitlist of aspiring entrepreneurs eager to launch and grow their businesses. These ventures are creating jobs, building economic stability, and strengthening the very fabric of our community.

EBWS is where dreams are nurtured, where culture and heritage are celebrated, and where community power is built. By supporting us on Erie Gives Day, you’re not just giving—you’re building the block: funding homes, launching businesses, and creating opportunities that will stand for generations.

Every dollar is a brick. Every donor is a builder. Let’s Build the Block together.

Your gift today will be matched dollar for dollar—up to $10,000—by a generous anonymous donor, doubling your impact and then matched at a prorated amount thereafter.

🎉 Join our Erie Gives Day Virtual Block Party for live updates, impact stories, and community fun all day long:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Am5tw7mGB/

Together, we can make Erie a place where ownership matters, opportunity is real, and every neighbor has a stake in the future