Diverse Erie celebrated the recipients of its 2026 Mini-Grant Initiative today during an award ceremony held at Erie County Community College, highlighting a major investment in the region’s small business community. The initiative distributed grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to BIPOC-owned businesses across Erie County, totaling $539,000.
The Mini-Grant Initiative is designed to strengthen businesses that play a vital role in their communities. By supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs, the program aims to foster job creation, stabilize neighborhoods, and build a more inclusive and resilient local economy. This year’s funding targeted five critical areas of need in Erie County: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context.
The 2026 Mini-Grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process that evaluated each business’s alignment with economic development goals, long-term sustainability, and impact within the BIPOC community. The awardees represent a diverse cross-section of industries, from childcare and automotive services to retail, real estate, and creative enterprises.
In total, 31 businesses received funding through the 2026 initiative, collectively strengthening Erie County’s economic landscape.
Recipients can be found below:
Small Business Name
Amount Awarded
1 of 1 Services, LLC
$12,500
2 Brothers Auto Service and Sales
$20,000
Almadina Supermarket
$25,000
AMB Auto Motive
$20,000
Barb’s Family Learning Group Daycare, LLC
$20,000
Big Boy Athletics, LLC
$10,000
Camaraderie BBQ, INC.
$25,000
CJDJ Erie Properties, LLC
$10,000
Dapper Don’s Styling Lounge
$12,000
Dinner is Served, LLC
$15,000
Erie Shish Kabob
$20,000
Galloway Management Group, LLC
$20,000
Handled with Care Childcare
$20,000
Her Power DBA (ABC 24 Hour Child Care)
$25,000
Johnson Real Estate Properties, LLC
$25,000
Jordan’s Family Childcare Home
$10,000
Major Coin, LLC
$5,000
Manus Enterprises
$25,000
Mawad Closeout, LLC
$25,000
MJ Auto
$7,500
Omni Insurance Services
$8,000
Pineapple Productions
$25,000
Property Solutions-360, LLC
$20,000
Sew Royalty Embroidery & Custom Designs
$15,000
State Auto Service
$15,000
Tamar Auto Service and Sales
$5,000
Tender Loving Care Place, LLC
$12,000
The Learning Ladder Early Child Care Center
$20,000
TLA Divine Creations Salon & Spa
$22,000
TYS Healthy Healers
$20,000
Unified Contracting, LLC
$25,000
TOTAL
$539,000
As Diverse Erie continues its work, the organization remains focused on expanding opportunities and ensuring that all entrepreneurs have access to the tools and capital needed to succeed—helping to build a stronger, more inclusive Erie for the future.