25 Black-owned businesses have been selected for the Magic City Match cohort
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Birmingham’s newest grant program, Magic City Match, has announced the 25 Black-owned businesses that are a part of their inaugural cohort. Keep reading to find out what’s in store for these businesses.
But first, what is Magic City Match?
Magic City Match is all about increasing the chances for Black-owned businesses to thrive. They offer business competency courses, provide access to capital and give new market opportunities to Black business owners with brick-and-mortar locations in Birmingham.
This awesome program is presented by:
The cohort
Over 800 local Black-owned businesses applied for the Magic City Match grant program. An independent committee selected 25 out of that 800 to be represented in this year’s cohort.
A huge congrats to these applicants chosen:
- Cameron Crummie, MDV
- Aurelia Davis, Salon Textures
- Reginald Davis
- LaTisha Fletcher, Sankofa Ventures
- Greg & Cynthia Gratton, Green Acres Cafe Downtown
- Carla Green, Kloud 9
- Joi Iman Gresham, Joi Iman
- Alisha Jiwani, Nia Benefit Corporation
- Jay Johnson, Johnson Media Group, Inc. DBA: College Prep U
- LaToya Jolly, Jolly Cakes
- Wanda & Eugene Jones, Talk of the Town Barbershop
- Alexis Kimbrough, Herban Soul Café
- Tangy King-Essex, Squeaky Clean Cleaning Company
- Matthew Mayes, Matthew Mayes Art
- Martrell McGinnis, Rid-A-Bug Pest Control and Termite
- Heather Skanes, Oasis Family Birthing Center
- Ursula Smith, Ursula Smith Dance
- Tiffany Storey, Storeyhouse Counseling & Consulting
- Theuda Tusajiwe, N’mosa Fabrics
- Jon Westbrook, Stez Eats
- Andre Williams, MADD Studios
- Lavoris Williams, L Williams and Associates
- Corey Whatley, Woodlawn Bar & Lounge
- Krystal White, Properties and Pipelines
- Dexter Young Jr., Henley & Young
“Birmingham is home to thousands of Black men and women who aspire to build financial independence and generational wealth. We and our collaborative partners are proudly helping to propel this new generation of dreamers forward!”
Torin Brazzle, Executive Director, GNITE! Alabama.
What’s next?
First, each of the 25 participants will complete an 8-week business academy course and receive $2,000 to support their businesses. Then, they’ll pitch themselves to a Community Selection Committee for cash prizes:
- Ten grants up to $25,000
- Two grants up to $50,000
- One grant up to $100,000
The business academy is led by Dr. Alice Gordon Holloway, CEO of Skye Connect. In each 90-minute session, business owners will build their toolbox to achieve short-term success and long-term sustainability.
Be on the lookout for an update on the grant awards on June 17, 2022.
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