Emancipation Economic Development Council is a grassroots community-based organization equitably revitalizing Third Ward with a focus on preservation of culture and history. This work honors our neighborhood’s deep African-American lineage while progressing toward a vibrant reinvigoration of its economic and social corridor for the benefit of a diverse set of stakeholders in particular its long-time residents (our community’s biggest investors).

Our programs seek to fulfil the needs of a community that has been forgotten. We do so through a mix of community building, resident sustainability, and equitable revitalization programs aimed at creating a sustainable, prosperous, and beautiful Third Ward.

We know that place-based, intentional support of local residents and business owners has ripple effects that are felt across the community. Our model for economic development works to reshape the opportunity structure of disinvested communities and neighborhood so that power is returned to residents.

What We Do

Equitable Revitalization
- Emancipation Avenue Main Street - "Where Culture and Commerce Meet"
- Emancipation Avenue Main Street (EAMS) is a culture-based economic driver, that supports Historic Third Ward entrepreneurs in achieving their goals for equitable and sustainable community development. The goal is to catalyze commerce along Emancipation Avenue and the surrounding community, leading to the preservation and revitalization of what was once the epicenter of small business and commerce for African Americans in the City.
Community Building - Community based sustainability systems
- EEDC Resilient Entrepreneurship Program is a model for neighborhood development that operates on both the individual and community level, linking entrepreneurs to the support structure of an entire neighborhood while powering local economies through the energy and talent of residents.
Resident Engagement
- The goals of resident engagement are to protect vulnerable residents from displacement, promote social and political integration of economically marginalized residents, and to support the social mobility of economically disadvantaged residents.

How You Can Support

As a community nonprofit (501c3), we rely on donations to provide high-quality services. When you make a tax-deductible donation, your money directly impacts the lives of Third Ward residents and small business owners.

Your gifs supports our work in numerous ways:

$5,000 provides Third Ward Small Business owners with access to incubator space, community meeting space and 1 on1 Entrepreneur Coaching to grow and scale their business.
$2,500 covers the cost of our community engagement initiatives such as National Night Out Celebration, Civic Club, Everybody Eats, etc
$1,000 helps covers the cost for an entrepreneur to complete our 12 week Small Business Training Class
$500 - pays for much needed small business training class supplies, binders and training materials for entrepreneurs
$250 - provides supplies for high school graduates furthering their education by attending college, trade school, etc
$100 - books for our youth programs, reading pays and art supplies for youth initiatives'
$25 - access to fresh produce boxes for residents

Your generous donation helps Protect, Preserve and Revitalize the Historic Third Ward! Our work connects residents to networks for support and opportunity! Economic development is a anti displacement strategy for our vulnerable residents and business owners!

You can donate directly through our website at https://emancipationhouston.org/donate

Share our fundraiser https://givebutter.com/JoinEEDC

Please consider becoming a monthly donor!

Protect, Preserve and Revitalize Third Ward!

By Emancipation Economic Development Council

Protect, Preserve and Revitalize Third Ward!

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