Association for Black Economic Power

What Association for Black Economic Power does

The Association for Black Economic Power (ABEP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 and headquartered at 227 Colfax Ave. N., Suite #50, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ABEP provides free, culturally responsive financial education, one-on-one coaching, and community-based programming to Black individuals and families in the Twin Cities metro area (Hennepin and Ramsey counties). Its core programs are organized under the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) umbrella and include the Smart Money Moves curriculum, the monthly Beyond Table Talk live-streamed broadcast series, free one-on-one financial coaching, and recurring in-person community gatherings such as Saturday Morning Connect. All programs are delivered at no cost to participants.

ABEP's revenue model is donation- and grant-driven: income is generated through individual giving (tiers of $20, $50, $100, $200, or custom amounts, with monthly and yearly cadences), corporate sponsorships (Wells Fargo, Old National Bank, First Bank & Trust), fundraising events (the Legacy Fundraising Classic), and paid programming/facilitation engagements for partner organizations. In 2025 ABEP materially expanded its product surface through two strategic moves: (i) launching Arise Community Credit Union — Minnesota's first Black-led community credit union — on Juneteenth (June 19, 2025) as a wholly-owned subsidiary providing inclusive banking services including a Phoenix Loan Program; and (ii) partnering with Fetch Strategies (announced November 5, 2025) on an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition scholarship program targeting a February 2026 cohort.

The organization operates with a lean team of 1–10 employees, supplemented by an FEC Task Force volunteer advisory group, and is led by Executive Director Debra L. Hurston with Aquilla Robinson as Program and Outreach Manager. ABEP holds a Candid Platinum Seal of nonprofit transparency and maintains partnerships across education (Black Men Teach, BestPrep), men's services (Ujamaa Place), civic (100 Black Men of the Twin Cities, Urban League Twin Cities), and corporate (Old National Bank, Wells Fargo, First Bank & Trust, Allianz Life) channels. Geographic operations are regional, concentrated in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro, with no disclosed technology platform beyond standard website, email, and social media properties (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube).

Name

Association for Black Economic Power

Legal name

Association for Black Economic Power

Website

https://abepmpls.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association for Black Economic Power (ABEP) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, culturally responsive financial education, one-on-one coaching, and community programming to Black individuals and families in the Twin Cities, and operates Arise Community Credit Union, Minnesota's first Black-led credit union.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Financial Education Services

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credit & Debt Management (Credit Scores, Loans, Repayment) (EDAAAJAC), Financial & Consumer Literacy (Banking, Credit, Contracts) (EDAAAAAG), Small Business & Self-Employment Personal Finance (Income, Expenses, Cash Reserves) (EDAAAJAL)

Keywords

• Financial education services
• Community credit union
• Financial literacy coaching
• Nonprofit community programs
• Wealth building education

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: ABEP operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events such as the Legacy Fundraising Classic. Donation options include one-time, monthly, and yearly giving at various levels ($20, $50, $100, $200, or custom amounts).
2. Programming and Facilitation Engagements: ABEP offers programming and facilitation services to partners and organizations seeking financial education content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ABEP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, culturally responsive financial education, 1-on-1 coaching, and community-based programming to help Black individuals and families build financial confidence and generational wealth. It operates the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), including the Smart Money Moves curriculum, Beyond Table Talk live-stream series, and 1-on-1 financial coaching, and launched Arise Community Credit Union, Minnesota's first Black-led community credit union, to provide inclusive banking services in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

Product overview

ABEP operates as a nonprofit financial education organization with a platform-based structure centered on its Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). The core offering combines direct service programs (1-on-1 Financial Coaching, Smart Money Moves Curriculum, Beyond Table Talk live-stream series) with community engagement initiatives (Saturday Morning Connect, Black Facts archive, CRA 101 education) and the ABEP-launched Arise Community Credit Union for banking services. The portfolio includes the newly launched Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Program developed in partnership with Fetch Strategies. All programs are offered at no cost to community members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Financial Empowerment Center (FEC): Core program providing free 1-on-1 financial coaching, workshops, and resources for building financial futures.
• Beyond Table Talk
• Smart Money Moves
• Saturday Morning Connect

Products and services

• Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 37,000+ email communications with 44% open rate in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fetch StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2025ABEP and Fetch Strategies partnered to develop a scholarship program supporting Minnesota entrepreneurs in acquiring existing businesses through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). At least three scholarships are planned for the February 2026 cohort, aiming to preserve local businesses and expand Black economic power.
• Ujamaa PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2025ABEP partnered with Ujamaa Place to expand financial wellness education for Ujamaa participants. The initiative equips men with real-world tools to take control of their financial futures through hands-on programming.
• Arise Community Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABEP launched Arise Community Credit Union, Minnesota's first Black-led community credit union, officially opening on Juneteenth 2025. The credit union provides inclusive banking services aimed at building wealth and independence, serving Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
• 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner at ABEP's inaugural Legacy Fundraising Classic event.
• BestPrepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABEP participated in BestPrep's 45th Annual Minnesota Business Venture at University of St. Thomas. Executive Director Debra Hurston and FEC Task Force Member Benson Webb Jr. served as panelists for the Money & Values session.
• Black Men TeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABEP collaborates with Black Men Teach by providing financial education and coaching opportunities for teaching fellows. Partnership supports Black male educators working toward the goal of reaching 450 Black male educators by 2035.
• Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Minnesota's largest Black newspaper for media coverage, feature stories, and podcast appearances on Tracey Williams-Dillard's 'Keepin' It Real' podcast.
• The Anika FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with The Anika Foundation for the Juneteenth celebration where Arise Community Credit Union launched. Executive Director Debra Hurston served as panelist at The Anika Foundation's Wealth & Wellness Summit.
• 89.9 KMOJ RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio partnership for community outreach and awareness, with Executive Director appearing as guest to discuss ABEP programs and upcoming events.
• HIREDminorOthersReferral resource partner - Minneapolis-based workforce organization supporting job training, career placement, and long-term employment pathways.
• Urban League Twin CitiesminorOthersReferral resource partner - central hub connecting community to employment support, housing counseling, and entrepreneurship programs.
• Mid-Minnesota Legal AidminorOthersReferral resource partner - provides free civil legal services related to housing stability, debt, consumer protection, and public benefits.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Prosperity Now: National nonprofit focused on financial security and economic mobility for low- and moderate-income households. Comparable as an advocacy and programmatic organization promoting financial inclusion, though operating primarily at the policy/systemic level rather than direct community service.

Direct peers

• Hope Credit Union: Black-led community development financial institution (CDFI) credit union serving underserved communities across the Deep South. Most directly comparable as a Black-led community credit union with an explicit financial inclusion mission, structurally similar to Arise Community Credit Union.
• Operation HOPE: National nonprofit providing financial literacy, coaching, and banking access (HOPE Inside) for underserved communities. Closely comparable to ABEP in combining free financial education with affiliated banking services, though operating at significantly greater national scale.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: National nonprofit credit counseling and financial education organization offering 1-on-1 coaching, debt management, and housing counseling. Comparable to ABEP's 1-on-1 Financial Coaching and Smart Money Moves curriculum, though serving a broader national geography.
• Money Management International: National nonprofit credit counseling agency providing financial education, debt management, housing counseling, and bankruptcy counseling. Comparable to ABEP in offering free 1-on-1 financial coaching and education services to underserved consumers.
• NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America): Nonprofit providing financial counseling, homeownership education, and access to banking products for low- and moderate-income communities. Comparable to ABEP in delivering free financial education and coaching that bridges to financial services access.

Broad incumbents

• Carver State Bank: One of the oldest Black-owned banks in the United States, serving Savannah, Georgia. Comparable as a long-standing Black-led community banking institution, though operating in a different geography and with a more traditional commercial banking model.
• OneUnited Bank: Largest Black-owned bank in the United States, offering consumer and commercial banking with an explicit focus on Black communities. Comparable as a Black-led financial institution serving similar demographics, though operating nationally with a commercial banking model rather than education-plus-coaching.
• National Urban League: Major civil rights and economic empowerment organization with financial empowerment programs serving Black communities nationwide. Comparable as a Black-focused economic empowerment nonprofit, though operating as a much larger, federated organization with a broader mission scope.

Others

• Foundation for Black Communities: Recently launched foundation supporting Black-led charitable organizations. Comparable as a mission-aligned funding and capacity-building entity supporting Black economic empowerment, though operating primarily as a grantmaking organization in a different national context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ABEPMN
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ABEPMN
• Facebookfacebook.com/ABEPMNBiz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abepmn
• Instagraminstagram.com/therealabep

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for Black Economic Power