The first cohort of Milwaukee businesses were selected as winners in the JPMorgan Chase-backed Brew City Match program, which supports entrepreneurship in Milwaukee’s historic commercial corridors.
The 59 winning businesses will be awarded a suite of incentives, ranging from business planning assistance to location selection to design and cash incentives.
JMorgan Chase awarded a $3.5 million PRO Neighborhoods grant to the program, which is led by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), in partnership with the city of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Savings & Loan, MEDC, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation and MKE United.
The program is focused on the Cesar Chavez Drive, Historic King Drive and North Avenue/Fond du Lac commercial corridors.
“At LISC, we invest in strategies that work to create wealth and address chronic poverty in Milwaukee,” said Donsia Strong Hill, executive director of LISC. “Through Brew City Match, we are able to leverage philanthropic support, public funds and private investment to intentionally encourage small business growth, and targeted commercial real estate development in commercial corridors surrounding downtown.
Among the winners, eight property owners will receive financing to prepare vacant storefronts for occupancy. They include:
- Antonio Butts, Walnut Way Conservation Corp., 1606 –1607 W. North Ave.
- Nelson Lang, El Rey Enterprises, 1037 S. Cesar Chavez Drive
- Ryan & Keenan Lampe, 20Ton Studios, 2000 W. North Ave.
- Michael Adetoro, FIT Investment Group, LLC
- Jesus Hernandez, Los Potrillos Western Wear, 1214 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive
- Wisconsin Redevelopment, 1862 Fond Du Lac Ave.
- JCP Construction,“Legacy,” 1920 W. North Avenue
- JCP Construction, Deuces presents “Brownsville Comedy Room,” 1817-1819 N. MLK Drive
-
The Martin Family, 339 W. North Avenue
Business owners receiving a curated package of incentives include:
- Laurice Triggs, Wray of Hope, LLC, a day spa located at 2115 W. North Ave.
- Jackie and Sara Woods, Donut Monster, a donut shop planned for 1724 N. Martin Luther King Drive
- Harold Turner, Harold Turner Group, a communications and printing company
- Dasha & Kima Hamilton, The Retreat Community event space, a co-working space, and podcast studio at 2215 N. Martin Luther King Drive
A group of business owners will receive location selection support to be matched with vacant commercial properties within the Cesar Chavez Drive, North Avenue/Fond du Lac, and Historic King Drive commercial corridors. They include:
- Danicha Brown and Vishalla Davis, ShakeNbake American Soul Kitchen
- Michael Brown-Johnson and Cheyene McGlaston, Positive Vibes Fitness and Wellness
- Aniese Clay, Sweet Aniese Catering
- Jay Dean, The Heal Space
- Riddell Fairfield, Damn Good Sauces LLC
- Selwyn Jarvis, Trini-Dad’s Child Development Center
- Alise Kumar, AP Makeup Academy
- Seidah Lawrence, Eclectic Soul Catering Company
- Talaya Scott, FIIT Perspective, LLC
- Kristi Sherfinski, Helianthus, LLC
- Wilbur Teague & April Wilks, Soul 2 Soul Catering
- LaTasha Tharp, Elevated Healing: Massage & Wellness Arts
- Talethea Thompson, Pump Five
- Makalya West, Crowned with Tresses
- Monica Yarn, Mishelle Elizabeth Photography, LLC
Winners of the business planning track, which includes access to a free business planning course through WWBIC, include:
- Key Bennett, Melanin & Headwraps
- Robert Brox, Fit 4 You,Traveling Trainer
- Jeremy Bryan, Taproot Wellness Coaching
- Cecilia Butler, A Butler’s Love
- Willie Clinton, Next|Hiit, llc
- Michael Curtis, Curtisy
- Jakari Evans, Kjayz Taste of SOUL
- Deshunna Franklin, Kute Boutique
- Alicia Green, Tasteful Events & Catering, LLC
- Kenisha Hayward, Hayward & Dye, LLC
- Robert Haywood, Jr., G9 Technologies
- Bianca Hill, Deeply Rooted Early Child Care Education Center
- Tiffany Hudson, Styl3 M3 Pr3tty
- Jarvis Selwyn, Ready.Set.Staff
- Lakeisha Johnson, Barely Used
- Lakeitha Jones, Neon’s Beauty Essentials & Salon
- Doris Jones, D’Vaxva’s Portable Parties
- Krystal Kendrick, Anita’s Home Décor & More
- Candyce Kilgore, Kandie Coated Eats & Sweets
- Oliva Lee, K.O.’s Delicious Desserts
- Amanda Long, Market Day Services
- Bianca Lozano, Lupitas Restaurant & Cantina
- Lizzel Luca, Quality Staffing, Training, and Consulting Agency, LLC
- Bianca Nelson, 3 B’s Catering
- Dreama Owns, A Creative Dream, LLC
- Teresa Peet, The Servant’s Trusted Hands, LLC
- Kimberly Reese, A Taste of Love Catering, LLC
- Cetonia Weston-Roy, Niche Book Bar & Creative Space
- Aichelle White, Isharai Artist Management
- Keshonda Willis, Star Quality Planning & Events
- Jay Young, Steepsters Depot
Among the winners, 92% are run by entrepreneurs of color and 80% of the winners are women-owned businesses.
