CBCF economic development initiatives are working to improve the financial status of African-Americans through homeownership and other wealth building programs. CBCF economic development initiatives include the With Ownership, Wealth (WOW) Initiatives, CBCF Housing Summits, and the SHOP For Wealth Program, formerly known as the Student Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP).

The goal of the WOW Initiative is…..intergenerational wealth.

SHOP was created in February of 2003 to assist young people with becoming homeowners at an early age, while avoiding the pitfalls of poor credit habits and excessive debt. While visiting universities throughout the country and speaking to students of all ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds, CBCF has realized that, though attendees are excited about the opportunity to begin building wealth through homeownership, too many are already plagued by poor fiscal habits, which has resulted in declining credit scores. Thus, the SHOP Program is shifting its emphasis in 2006 to SHOP For Wealth, which will heavily focus on moving away from debt and towards general financial preparation, in homeownership and beyond.