Economic Empowerment

A diverse workforce at all levels is essential to Tacoma’s thriving economy. 

Our Black Empowerment Center offers an array of services that work together to build a sustainable, just economy for jobseekers and employers.

We work to ensure Black businesses have access to capital, government contracts, and technical assistance. We also enhance their visibility within the community, which supports their growth and sustainability. Our programs bolster businesses’ abilities to offer jobs with living wages and great benefitting workers and our local economy. 

At the same time, we offer job seekers a full suite of career coaching tools — training, networking, and career planning — so they can take efficient steps toward their employment goals. We also advocate for improvements to the financial ecosystem that support employers, job seekers, and current and potential homeowners.

Our services support African American families with low-to-moderate incomes to decrease expenses, build credit, increase income, and acquire assets. 

Together, our economic empowerment programs aim to:

• Enhance business development and sustainable growth of Black business owners and entrepreneurs.

• Increase employment rates in well-paying jobs for African Americans.

• Strengthen the financial position of current and potential Black homeowners.