Khamil Bailey and Samantha Black, the founders of The Greenwood Plan, a nonprofit organization rooted in empowering Black entrepreneurship, have made a significant milestone in downtown Pittsburgh by taking ownership of the iconic Pitt Building for $4 million. The three-story structure is set to transform into a dynamic hub for Black creatives, freelancers, and business professionals.
The Greenwood Plan, named after Tulsa's Greenwood District also known as Black Wall Street, officially sealed the deal in December 2023."We want this to be a Black business incubator... allow Black businesses to operate in downtown storefronts where they may not have otherwise been able to do so because the terms are not normally favorable," Bailey told the New Pittsburgh Courier.
Bailey emphasized their approach involves programming and rent subsidies, offering a helping hand to navigate these spaces and tap into the revenue that comes with the downtown traffic.
Among Bailey's plans is the inclusion of Black chefs and restaurateurs, aiming to create a four-star restaurant focusing on high-quality Black cuisine. The Pitt Building's second floor already hosts Emerald City, a 12,000-square-foot coworking and social space launched by The Greenwood Plan in 2021.
Now with the whole building in their ownership, The Greenwood Plan seeks to connect partners, resources, and initiatives to Black entrepreneurs, professionals, gig workers, and creatives. Greenwood Week and its annual business conference remain a pivotal event in their strategic plan, aiming to democratize knowledge and build social capital in the Pittsburgh Black business community.
"I know that back in the early 1900s, there were Black businesses that operated Downtown," Bailey said. "We want to bring that back, remind people that we (African Americans) are a part of a thriving economy just as anybody else, not just as consumers but as wealth-builders."
Learn more about the organization via its official website at GreenwoodPlan.com
Also, be sure to follow them on Instagram @GreenwoodPlan