Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance Empowers Communities Through Financial Literacy and Homeownership
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE) is transforming communities by investing in Black and Brown leaders and organizations. One such recipient, the Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance (LVBCHA), is making a profound impact by addressing the racial wealth gap through financial education, homeownership counseling, and community-based programming.
The mission of LVBCHA is simple yet powerful: to impact generational wealth for families in marginalized communities. The organization accomplishes this by providing financial literacy training, housing counseling and support for individuals navigating the often intimidating process of becoming homeowners.
“We hope to empower future generations to become homeowners and financially aware, breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change,” said Pastor Phillip Davis, LVBCHA’s founder and senior pastor of Greater Shiloh Church.
With the support of the FRJE grant, LVBCHA expanded its reach across the Lehigh Valley and beyond, hosting housing seminars at churches in Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Stroudsburg and Monroe County. These events created accessible spaces for individuals to learn about homeownership and financial literacy. Over the past year, the organization reached more than 800 participants, with eight individuals beginning the homeownership process—a life-changing step toward building equity and stability for their families.
The seminars were tailored to diverse audiences, including first-time homebuyers, seniors and youth. Classes covered essential topics such as avoiding fraud, credit repair, maximizing social security benefits and reinvesting retirement funds. LVBCHA collaborated with local banks, realtors and financial advisors to provide comprehensive education and demystify the homebuying process. By meeting participants in familiar community spaces, such as churches, the organization created a welcoming, non-intimidating environment for learning.
Key partners in this initiative include Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Fulton Bank and Truist, as well as local realtors like Michele Roy. Financial advisors such as Dr. Constance Mason of Concierge Financial Advisory played an instrumental role in helping participants navigate complex financial decisions.
Looking ahead to 2025, LVBCHA is committed to expanding its programming to reach more individuals and families. Plans include partnering with additional churches across the Lehigh Valley, offering more focused seminars and fostering strong relationships with banking institutions to advocate for equitable practices. The organization is also working toward becoming certified with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will provide access to even more resources for the community.
LVBCHA’s work exemplifies the impact of the FRJE grant, which has enabled the organization to build wealth and financial literacy in communities of color across the Lehigh Valley.
“Without United Way’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to touch as many lives as we did,” said Pastor Kristina Davis. “This investment in our work is an investment in the future of our community, and we are so grateful for this opportunity to make a lasting impact.”
United Way awarded the following local organizations with grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 through the FRJE:
- Cohesion Network
- Epoch Tribe
- Financial Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley
- Fine Feather Foundation Inc.
- Global Hope International
- Greater Community Development Corp.
- InnaStar
- Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
- Lycan Media
- LatinosARE
- Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance
- Light on the Horizon
- Mother2Mother Inc.
- Movement Moves Media
- Resurrected Community Development Inc.
- SELF!
- The Rilyc
- The Rising Sun Initiative
- The Thrive Hub Inc.
- Unidos Inc.
- Vet Beds
Grant funding is made possible thanks to partners and donors who directed their support to the Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, including PPL Foundation, Crayola, Behr, Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, Truist, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and United Way Women United.
Learn more about United Way and the FRJE grant program by visiting our Fund for Racial Justice and Equity page.
