Who We Are

The Nehemiah Initiative Seattle is a faith-based community development initiative (FBDI). Its mission is to empower the African American community in the Seattle region and beyond to support the retention of historically Black institutions by advocating for development of real property assets owned by those historically Black institutions.

What We Do

Within our mission, we intent to help stem the rate of the displacement of Black urban populations and attempt to retain the remaining Black residents and businesses by providing affordable housing and business space opportunities on property currently owned by Black organizations.

As advocates for this cause, we provide property development knowledge training, community organizing and public policy influence in an effort to empower predominately Black organizations in fostering economic growth and strengthening of a beloved community.

Our History

For over 200 years, the Black church has not been just a place of worship, but the nexus of collective activity in defense of freedom, of delivering of human services, supporting social justice and community-building. The Black church has historically been a hub of information, a refuge of emotional and spiritual support and financial assistance and political activity.