Started from the bottom, now we here!

It all started as a conversation amongst college friends, Angelica Spraggins, Kyra Taylor and DaVona Pacley. On January 17, 2018, Erie’s Black Wall Street (EBWS) was created as a Facebook group to connect to the Black community (events and businesses). Within 1-year Erie’s Black Wall Street’s, it was clear to the founders that there was a need in Erie’s community to do more. So, they began to compile information to analyze the needs of the Facebook group members and developed a plan to address the disparities.

The trio chose to bring Dr. Rhonda Matthews and Brian Atterbury to the team and formed Erie’s Black Wall Street into a nonprofit to further its impact. The mission is to serve as a vehicle for change and empowerment of Erie’s Black Community through cultivating meaningful relationships, education of members, the creation of social networks and the promotion of black entrepreneurship. The vision is to create a culture of Black Excellence and Wealth in Erie that serves as an inspiration for generations to come.

In collaboration of the founding board the Renaissance Project programming was developed to address the needs voiced from Erie’s Black population. The word ‘Renaissance’ was chosen because it means ‘renew or new beginning’, which is EBWS’ vision with our community. The programming is curated to educate community members & business owners on the importance of financial investing, budgeting, home buying, credit building and the basics of business. Project Renaissance jubilees have provided free credit repair services as well as $45,000 in funding support for first time home buyers towards their down payment or closing costs. EBWS offers an online community platform for Black business owners, teachers, therapists, artists, etc to connect, a way to create & cultivate meaningful relationships, an avenue for sparking change within the community, and a Black-owned business directory that can be found on their website and app.

Image: Photo is a screenshot taken from Erie Community Foundation’s Annual Report 2021.