Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative (SIEDI)

The Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative (SIEDI) is a collaborative effort aimed at revitalizing the local economy through inclusive and sustainable practices. Partnering with New Hope Baptist Church, SIEDI seeks to empower individuals and businesses by providing resources, education, and support to drive economic growth and community well-being.

New Hope Baptist Church has been a grateful partner of the SIEDI cohort since 2025. One of the tenets of our church mission statement states, “NHBC shall be a church equipping every member for a significant ministry by helping them to discover, develop and exercise their Spiritual gifts, natural talents, experience and resources”.

It is within this scope that we intend to devote our SIEDI resources. To equip our community members to be significant change agents that strengthen the quantity and quality of economic growth opportunities in the black community by helping others to discover, develop, and exercise their gifts, natural talents, experiences and resources.

Historically, the black church has been a hub of the community where people of color could come for support and resources in myriad domains. The Civil Rights Movement had its roots and gained momentum through the Church and let us never forget that above his title as Dr. is Revered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Baptist preacher who embodied the Gospel example and mandate of a servant. Within the long-established history of the Church’s call to social work within our community lies the central value of equality for all. Our fight has been a tumultuous plight with so many gaps to fill.

In looking at the ways church leaders of the past have become activated in their communities, it was clear that the people bought their concerns to their faith leaders because there were no established governmental agencies that had “real” power to effect the change our forefathers sought. We at NHBC Salinas are committed to helping fill some of these gaps.

If you would like to find out more about what we do, please contact Charron Smith at (831) 422-4419.