Our Goal: Women's Economic Empowerment
Prioritizing Our Women's Economic Rise — a community initiative accelerating wealth creation among Black and Latina women in West Baltimore through skills training, entrepreneurship education, access to capital, and financial education.
The Challenge
Black and Latinx households in Baltimore are suffering a housing crisis, even though there are tens of thousands of vacant homes in the City. Over two out of every three (66%) Black and Latinx households do not have enough savings to cover at least 3 months of their family expenses in case an emergency happened and they lost their regular income. The most affected are women between the ages of 25-54.
59% of Latinx and Black households pay more than 30% of their incomes for rent. This significantly affects their ability to pay for other important bills and build savings.
The Opportunity
Many of Baltimore's mostly Black and Latinx neighborhoods have been historically “red-lined” as poor financial risks by real estate agents and banks. This resulted in a downward cycle of these home properties not being eligible for renovation loans and low sales prices and valuation. To reverse this cycle, the Maryland legislature has approved a special program to help formerly red-lined communities bridge the gap between the cost of improving homes and the real estate appraised value of homes in those neighborhoods.
Additionally, $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has been committed towards housing initiatives designed to protect residents, prevent blight, create affordable housing initiatives, and implement vacancy recommendations to address Baltimore's vacant housing stock.
The Project
Prioritizing Our Women's Economic Rise is a three-year project that brings together community-based organizations, government agencies, and institutions to accelerate the wealth creation among Black and Latina women in West Baltimore. The POWER project equips Black and Latina women with the tools (Skills Training, Entrepreneurship Education, Access to Capital, Financial Education) to tap into the emerging and existing economic opportunities for the redevelopment and revitalization of the city of Baltimore.
This project also includes advocacy for equitable and inclusive implementation of the state and local initiatives to address issues of the acquisition and disposition of vacant properties in Baltimore.
Resources
POWER Baltimore offers comprehensive resources across four key areas to support women's economic empowerment.
Entrepreneurship Education
Intensive three-month training in business, workforce, and leadership skills. One-on-one business coaching and a Business Accelerator Program for existing microenterprises. All programs are free of charge.
Access to Capital
Women's Small Business Fund with loans from $2,500 to $250,000. Line of Credit for Women Developers ($200K-$300K). Co-Op Catalytic Grants up to $40,000. No application fees.
Skills Training
Computer Foundations for beginners. Apprenticeship Readiness Program for building trades careers. Real Estate Developer Training with hands-on mentorship.
Credit Building & Financial Capability
Credit Building Program with 0% interest loans ($500-$2,500). Matching Savings Grant — set a savings goal and receive a matching grant upon achievement. No fees.
Industry Guides
Understanding Wooden Pallets: Structure, Types, and Uses
Everything you need to know about wooden pallets — from their fundamental structure and core components to the different types available and their critical role in global logistics.
Read More →Where to Buy Wooden Pallets: A Complete Sourcing Guide
Find reliable sources for quality wooden pallets — from local suppliers and online marketplaces to pricing strategies and sustainability considerations.
Read More →Where to Sell Used Pallets: Turn Wooden Waste Into Profit
A complete guide to selling used pallets — assessing inventory, finding local buyers and recyclers, online marketplaces, and maximizing your revenue.
Read More →A-1 Pallets: The Complete Guide to Premium-Grade Pallets
Learn about A-1 premium-grade pallets — their defining characteristics, how they differ from other grades, industry applications, and sourcing tips.
Read More →Frequently Asked Questions
POWER stands for Prioritizing Our Women's Economic Rise. It is a three-year project that brings together community-based organizations, government agencies, and institutions to accelerate wealth creation among Black and Latina women in West Baltimore.
The initiative equips participants with essential tools including skills training, entrepreneurship education, access to capital, and financial education. These resources help women tap into emerging and existing economic opportunities for the redevelopment and revitalization of Baltimore.
POWER Baltimore programs are designed primarily for Black and Latina women residing in West Baltimore. The initiative focuses on women between the ages of 25 and 54 who face economic challenges related to housing affordability, savings, and career development.
All programs and resources offered through POWER Baltimore are free of charge. Participants only need to fill out one inquiry form to access multiple services, from entrepreneurship training to credit building programs.
POWER Baltimore offers an Intensive Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship program, which is a three-month, 60-hour course covering business fundamentals, workforce development, leadership skills, micro-entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and cooperatives. Sessions meet twice per week for 12 weeks at no cost.
Additionally, participants can access one-on-one business coaching to set goals, design business models, and establish work plans. A Business Accelerator Program is also available for women already running a microenterprise who want to accelerate growth.
POWER Baltimore provides several financial resources including the Women's Small Business Fund with loans from $2,500 to $250,000 at competitive rates, with 0% interest for loans up to $5,000. A Line of Credit for Women Developers offers between $200,000 and $300,000 for property rehabilitation projects.
The Co-Op Catalytic Grant provides up to $40,000 to support worker-owned cooperatives led by Black and Latina women. Credit Building Programs offer 0% interest loans from $500 to $2,500, and a Matching Savings Grant matches savings goals from $300 to $600.
Over two out of every three Black and Latinx households in Baltimore do not have enough savings to cover three months of expenses in case of an emergency. The most affected demographic is women between the ages of 25 and 54. Approximately 59% of Latinx and Black households pay more than 30% of their income for rent.
Despite this crisis, Baltimore has nearly 15,000 vacant home lots that could potentially be accessed by these communities. Over 1,200 of these lots are city-owned, presenting significant opportunities for revitalization and affordable housing development.
POWER Baltimore offers Computer Foundations training for adults with little to no computer experience, providing a solid foundation for IT professional tracks. The Apprenticeship Readiness Program prepares participants to enter the construction industry through building trades apprenticeships.
The Real Estate Developer Training initiative gives emerging developers hands-on skills in real estate development through structured training and mentorship. All skills training programs are offered at no cost to participants.