Celebrating Celebrating Black History Month: Mayor Schember Visits AEH to Recognize Local Entrepreneurs and Community Leadership

This week, in recognition of Black History Month, Mayor Schember and his team continued their tour of organizations that are making substantial contributions to improving the quality of life for Erie residents. On Wednesday, they visited the Achievers Entrepreneurial Hub (AEH) at 930 Liberty Street with Bishop Frankie Quinn and Floyd J. Hull.

Thanks to support from the City’s American Rescue Plan funding in 2022 and Community Development Block Grants in 2022, 2023, and 2024, AEH is able to offer free programs to their cohorts to help entrepreneurs and small business owners to expand and grow their businesses by providing training, technical assistance, guidance, support, office space, and co-working facilities. The cohorts are provided with resource materials, weekly educational seminars, mentorship, and networking opportunities with various community resources to help grow their business and develop partnerships. Members also have access to a computer lab to work on proposals, financing, and business plans. AEH is currently in their third cohort. They have helped to grow and expand several businesses, including cleaning, janitorial, landscaping, photography, bakery, restaurants, a hat shop, a daycare, and a dance studio, to name a few.

Bishop Frankie Quinn and Floyd Hull are the team that make it happen. Bishop Quinn is an Erie native and the founder and Pastor of Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith Church. His birthday is August 28, the date of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech during the march for Civil Rights in Washington. This transformational speech has been a driving force for Bishop Quinn, inspiring him to dedicate his life to the betterment of others.

Bishop Quinn attended City of Erie Public Schools and graduated from Academy High School in 1982. The Bishop then attended Mercyhurst College, graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science. He then spent 35 years working in the social service field, where he assisted many people who had experienced setbacks in life. In 2005, with the support of his wife and children, he returned to Mercyhurst College and earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.

Bishop Quinn is the founder of the Community Cornerstone Project (CCP) in Erie. CCP is a nonprofit that aims to provide support and resources to individuals and families facing challenges. Rooted in the belief of servant leadership, CCP seeks to empower people from all backgrounds by offering a safe, non-judgmental space to grow and thrive. The CCP operates the Achievers Entrepreneurial Hub (AEH), which promotes opportunities for start-ups; The Yoleena Hull Toy Drive, which gives Christmas toys to needy youth; and the EDGE Academy, which provides mentorship to high school youth on their post-educational opportunities and civic responsibilities. Bishop Quinn is also the founder of the New Horizons Early Learning Center, which offers a preschool and after-school program.

Bishop Quinn is the Diocesan Bishop of the New York, Pennsylvania, and New England States Council of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith (PCAFI). He is excited about AEH and is dedicated to its service. He lives by the motto “Pursuing Excellence until Excellence is achieved.” (Philippians 3:14). He hopes to energize the Erie community by creating a hub of opportunity where people feel empowered to succeed.

Floyd J. Hull is the Vice President of the CCP and Mentor and Instructor for the AEH program. He is also the Chairman of the Yoleena Hull Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway, which was founded in memory of his daughter Yoleena, who lost her battle with Leukemia at the tender age of 6.

Floyd obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleveland State University. He later owned and successfully operated Soul City Carryout Bar-B-Que restaurant in Cleveland. Floyd then joined the law firm of Watson & Watson, Attorneys at Law where he worked as a law clerk and office manager.

The AEH is a wonderful example of the reuse of older buildings in the City. It is located in the former Anshe Hesed Temple complex. At this site, community members and small business owners may rent office space, use the computer lab, share co-working space, and broadcast from a state-of-the-art podcast studio. AEH is also the location of the New Horizons Learning Center, serving children ages 3 through 12 from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They currently have open slots. Together, all of these amenities make AEH a great asset for the people of Erie.

Bishop Frankie Quinn and Floyd Hull, thank you for your leadership, your service, and your passion. You are fulfilling the Mayor’s mission to Build Opportunity, Restore Hope, and Transform Erie.