our history
Black Women Build-Baltimore was founded in 2017 by Shelley Halstead who believes that for Black women to build intergenerational wealth, with the inherent security and prosperity it can generate, they must also learn the skills necessary to maintain that wealth. Home ownership and the ability to maintain that asset is one way this can be achieved.
With a passionate belief in the power of knowledge, skills and opportunity to shape a woman’s life, Shelley founded Black Women Build – Baltimore on an intersectional framework.
Our holistic program is offered to capable women who are ready for change, and would not otherwise have the opportunity.
Black Women Build-Baltimore is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Values
That Black women deserve to be treated with dignity for their inherent worth as human beings.
Methods
We understand that oppression is experienced at the intersection of identities, conditions, systems, policies, and practices; therefore, we address barriers that impact the ability of Black women to thrive.
GOALS
To bring home ownership to Black women in Baltimore. To train women in trades-related skills through home renovation. To create wealth and build community by dismantling the barriers that work against our ability to thrive.
The intersectional framework of our program has 3 distinct parts
Training
Training Black women in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing by rehabilitating vacant and deteriorated houses. We believe that training women in trades-related work not only provides a tangible set of skills to be used on other jobs and in the home but allows women to make two to three times more in wages than traditionally female-centered jobs.
Support
We understand that gender, race, and poverty affect women of color differently from other groups. In tandem with the trades-based skill training, we also work with partner organizations to provide life-based skill support in financial literacy, counseling, and nutrition.
Home Ownership Opportunity
To bring home ownership to Black women in Baltimore. To train women in trades-related skills through home renovation. To create wealth and build community by dismantling the barriers that work against our ability to thrive.
WE WANT BLACK WOMEN TO THRIVE
Our goal is to create change by creating community, knowledge, and wealth together. We appreciate your interest in our Program. If you are looking for additional reading on the need we are trying to address, please visit our Need page.
Creating community, knowledge, and wealth together.
mailing address:
P.O. Box 16564
Baltimore, MD 21217
mailing address:
P.O. Box 16564
Baltimore, MD 21217
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This project is supported in part by:
Black Women Build-Baltimore is an equal employer. You do not need to identify as Black or a woman to apply but as a mission-based organization, we center Black women.
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