Building community wealth through economic hubs

Since 2008, ACER has been successfully developing solutions to address equity gaps. ACER has grown into an anchor organization in the metro Northwest suburbs and is the leading issue-based African community organization working to close racial inequities in housing, economic development, civic engagement, and health.

The Innovation & Catalyst Center (ICC) is a project that will address the racial wealth gap and help build capital for diverse BIPOC communities in the Northwest suburbs.

The Shingle Creek Center, in Brooklyn Center, was recently purchased by ACER in partnership with our locally grown business cooperative -  Ignite Business Women Investment Group. The Center will be home to ACER’s  Innovation and Catalyst Center which was launched last year. The ICC will serve as an Economic Hub that will lead to an increase in ownership of commercial property for micro and small businesses of color. It will support business growth towards fostering a vibrant cultural destination commercial district in the Northwest suburbs. The ICC will also maintain and grow retail-focused businesses within the strip mall and will include a business center that will provide small business technical assistance, resources, and workforce programming.

Capital Campaign Goals

• Short-term: Raise funds for the development and financial sustainability of the ICC and create BIPOC Economic Hubs to provide business resources and workforce programming.
• Long-term: Establish the Northwest suburbs as a cultural commercial destination, by ensuring Economic Hubs are a viable and sustainable model for community wealth building.