OWN THE LAND.
BUILD WEALTH.
CREATE FREEDOM.
The Collective advances community economic development, education, land acquisition, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial stability—with programs designed to address the historic economic challenges affecting Foundational Black American communities.
Building power through ownership, education and collective action.
Members Strong
Our movement continues to grow as members unite to build opportunity, ownership, and lasting economic power in our communities.
Support The Collective’s first community initiatives.
Your contribution supports educational programs, partnership development, land and property research, community workshops, and the groundwork needed to build sustainable community initiatives.
YOUTH EDUCATION
Helps provide credit, financial literacy and homeownership learning materials.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Supports virtual and in-person educational programming.
LAND & HOUSING INITIATIVE
Supports research, applications, planning and property-development preparation.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Supports entrepreneurship training, professional services and community business programs.
BLACK AF HISTORY
The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot
Learn the history while supporting the mission. Purchase a copy through The Collective’s fundraiser and help support our community programs and initiatives.
Every purchase helps The Collective continue building programs focused on education, economic empowerment, youth development, and community investment.
Fundraiser purchase benefiting The Collective.
How our early funds have been used.
We are committed to keeping our community informed about the costs of establishing and promoting The Collective.
Recorded through October 11, 2026
| Expense | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey nonprofit incorporation | State filing and online processing fees | $53.00 |
| IRS Form 1023-EZ application | Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status application | $275.00 |
| Paid social-media promotion | Community outreach and nonprofit awareness | $59.85 |
| Business cards | Community outreach and nonprofit promotion | $25.00 |
| Google Workspace | Organization email and productivity tools | $18.00 |
| Forms for Google Docs | Forms subscription | $5.99 |
| Gmail | Email subscription | $0.49 |
| Zoom Workplace Pro | Online community and board meetings | $16.99 |
| Grant application | Grant application fee | $30.00 |
| Total recorded expenses | $484.32 | |
The promotional total reflects $62.40 in advertising charges less a $2.55 platform refund. Balance deposits are not counted as additional expenses. This report will be updated as new expenses are recorded.
How we plan to support Foundational Black American communities.
Our programs are designed to help address long-standing barriers to property ownership, business development, education and wealth building while creating practical opportunities for families and communities.
🧰 Trade Career Pathway Program — Coming Soon!🌱 Agriculture Program — Coming Soon!
Land & Property Ownership
Land-bank education, property research, homeownership preparation and community development planning.
Credit & Financial Education
Virtual workshops on credit, budgeting, banking, saving, investing and preparing for ownership.
Career & Skills Training
Connections to online certifications, trade training, workforce opportunities and employer partners.
Entrepreneurship
Business education, mentorship, partnership referrals and support for community-based enterprises.
Youth Development
Programs covering credit, financial literacy, homeownership and career readiness.
Housing Development
Long-term planning for safe, affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization projects.
Agriculture & Food Security
Community agriculture, land use, food production and sustainable farming education.
Community Reinvestment
Keeping resources circulating through community programs, businesses and collective projects.
Building impact through strong partnerships.
We are developing relationships with schools, financial institutions, construction professionals, real-estate organizations, corporations, training providers and community groups to expand access to education, skills, ownership and economic opportunity.
Programs designed to turn education into ownership.
Land Ownership 101
Education on land banks, vacant-property programs, due diligence, applications and responsible development.
Virtual Financial Education
Credit, budgeting, homeownership, investing and financial-literacy programming for youth and adults.
Community Development Pipeline
Partnership building, project planning and professional support for future housing, land and business initiatives.
Agriculture Program — Coming Soon
We are developing hands-on indoor and outdoor gardening activities where children and families can learn to grow food, care for plants and build healthy eating habits.
Registered, transparent and building for long-term impact.
The Collective – FBA Economic Unity is incorporated as a New Jersey domestic nonprofit corporation. We are building the legal, financial and program infrastructure needed to serve our community responsibly and sustainably.
The Collective – FBA Economic Unity, A NJ Nonprofit Corporation
0451491504
July 7, 2026
42-3651215
New Jersey
IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law
Planning
Founding leadership.
The organization was established with a founding board committed to community economic development, education, land ownership, entrepreneurship and long-term financial stability.
Ashley Christmas
Founder, Incorporator and Registered Agent
Najee Jihad
Founding Trustee
Jeyone B. Sabir
Founding Trustee
Jovan Smelly
Board Member
Steven Lawrence
Board Member
Officer Roles
Pending board appointment and formal confirmation
Join the movement.
Email: info@thecollectivefba.org
Phone: (862) 456-4523
We are seeking volunteers, educators, grant writers, financial professionals, construction professionals, real-estate experts, training providers and community partners. Public contact information and a mailing address are being finalized.