Diverse Erie has awarded a combined $650,000 to four Erie-area organizations that seek to expand opportunity and improve health outcomes for Black, Indigenous and other people of color.
The commission, also known as the Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, presented the grant awards during a Nov. 21 ceremony at its East Bayfront Parkway headquarters.
Gary Lee, chief administrative officer of Diverse Erie, said the investments represent the “next chapter” in Diverse Erie’s work, advancing “generational change through strategic, intentional funding.”
The ceremony was held a day after Erie County Council adopted the 2026 budget, which included an additional $500,000 lifeline for Diverse Erie to continue.
Diverse Erie awarded a combined $650,000 to four Erie-area organizations on Nov. 21, 2025. Pictured are members of the commission and other officials presenting a check to the Birthroot Community Doula Alliance.
“We’re thrilled that County Council understands the value and impact that Diverse Erie has made over the last four years,” Lee told the Erie Times-News. “We do not take these investments lightly. We review all of the initiatives that we do to make sure that we’re providing the most impact.”
Who are the grant recipients?
The four grant recipients were:
Birthroot Community Doula Alliance, which received $189,250. A BIPOC- and women-owned Erie business, Birthroot addresses racial disparities in maternal health through culturally responsive prenatal, birth and postpartum care.
Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System or MHEDS, which received $189,250. The funding will help MHEDS establish a new healthcare facility on Parade Street to expand access in one of Erie’s most underserved neighborhoods. The project will use BIPOC contractors and professionals to keep economic benefits in the community, the organization said.
The Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania, which received $121,500. The center plans to expand neighborhood-based diabetes prevention and vision-health programming, targeting chronic conditions that disproportionately affect BIPOC residents.
“These awardees represent the vision, leadership and community-rooted solutions that move Erie forward,” said Saeed Taraky, chairman of the Diverse Erie board. “Each initiative reflects our belief that when we invest equitably and intentionally, we create generational pathways to health, stability and opportunity.”
More on Diverse Erie
The Diverse Erie commission, which is governed by a nine-member volunteer board, was formed in the wake of County Council declaring racism a public health crisis in 2020. The commission, funded by an initial investment of $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds, was tasked to empower and invest in historically disadvantaged populations, which were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A 2025 study conducted by Parker Strategy Group, an independent consulting firm, revealed that, between 2022 and 2024, the commission’s $3.5 million investment in small businesses and nonprofits catalyzed $5.7 million in economic impact.
The study showed that Diverse Erie’s efforts have supported and sustained 32 jobs and generated $193,380 in local and state tax revenue.
Contact A.J. Rao at arao@gannett.com or 814-440-5080.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Four organizations receive Diverse Erie ‘Generational Impact’ grants