20 Black business owners awarded Magic City Match grants + services

Today, REV Birmingham announced it is awarding 20 Black business owners grants and technical assistance through the Magic City Match program powered by Prosper.  

Established in 2022 as a pilot project, the Magic City Match program has been refined to meet businesses at various stages of growth, offering grants and/or professional service funds, along with business coaching, real estate assistance and additional support tailored to each stage of development. 

Magic City Match grants and assistance totaling $135,000

“In our second year of Magic City Match, the response from applicants and the strong support we’ve garnered highlights the need for this program in the Birmingham small business ecosystem. We are excited and honored to be able to invest in these businesses to help more Black entrepreneurs realize their dreams.” 

~ David Fleming, CEO + President of REV Birmingham

Grants and technical assistance totaling $135,000 were awarded in three separate categories. 

According to Rev Birmingham, the selection committee chose businesses to support based on strength of business plan and financial model, experience and potential to succeed in brick-and-mortar space. Awardees must either be seeking to establish a brick-and-mortar location within the city of Birmingham or already have an established presence in the city. 

Magic City Match: Supporting 20 Businesses

Below is the list of individuals and their companies that received funding and support.

Entrepreneur Track: Black entrepreneurs seeking to establish brick-and-mortar locations, which will assist entrepreneurs in hiring professional service providers, such as accountants or marketing professionals.  

• Crystal Mullen-Johnson, Strive Counseling Services, LLC 
• Keyarah Smith, Road2 Financial Freedom Inc 
• Hermione Carnes, Hermione Alease’s Edibles, LLC 
• L’Tryce Slade, Slade Land Use, Environmental, and Transportation Planning  
• Patricia Worford, Pat’s Prime Cleaning Services 
• Lensey King Jr, Electrical Maintenance & Troubleshooting LLC 
• Pauline Long, MedsPLUS Consulting  
• Dennis Echoles, D ECHOLES LLC DBA Amber’s Desserts 
• Wynell Gilbert, Tutor Nation Tutoring Solutions Inc.  
• Stacie Jones, Stacie Latrelle, LLC  
• Kenya Staples, Dear Sunday Skincare 
• Emondre Johnson, The Bark Park  

• Trenton Lumpkin, TRI-AURIC STUDIOS 
• Angel Callens, Change of Plans 
• CaTonya Scott, D5 Tax Services

Property Owner Track: To help prepare more storefronts for small business tenants, the Property Owner track will provide property assessments and other services. 

• Kathy Scarbrough, Mighty Muscles Facilities Mgt 
• Tim Clay, T&P Realty Ventures LLC 

Grow Stage: The Grow Stage will award Black business owners with established locations through grants and funding for service providers. 

• Aisha Taylor, Bridge + Root 
• Alicia Levels-Moore, Polaris  
• Lemar Storey, Lifetouch Massage  

Magic City Match, “an amazing gateway opportunity”

“It cannot be overstated how much expert attention along with peer support from fellow travelers, can aid in belonging, a healthier form of competition and feeling genuinely supported and elevated through the entrepreneurial process. Magic City Match is an amazing gateway opportunity.”

~ Dee Manyama Initiatives Director at Prosper

Additional grants will be available in early 2024 when the Magic City Match’s Open Stage applications process is launched. Interested in learning more about  the Magic City Match program and its most recent awardees? Visit magiccitymatch.org.