Photo credit Source : bhamnow.com
Local Entrepreneurs Receive Over $415,000 in Grants and Services from REV Birmingham
REV Birmingham, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Birmingham’s commercial districts, has recently awarded grants and professional services to 23 local entrepreneurs, totaling over $415,000. Two initiatives, Magic City Match and Birmingham Open for Business, have provided support to these small business owners.
Magic City Match, powered by Prosper and led by REV Birmingham, selected eight Black-owned businesses to receive technical assistance or grant awards valued at $315,000. The program aims to match businesses with brick-and-mortar spaces in Birmingham to help them thrive. Awardees include Colette Lewis of The Toasted Yolk Café, Danielle Hines of CREED63 at McCoy, Natasha Spriggs and Shun Love of Johin’na LLC, and Mwannasheria Edwards of Modern Beauty By Mwannasheria.
Additionally, the Grow Stage awards business owners small grants or funding for professional services. LaRoyce Burrough-Marsh, owner of d’Trespa Consignment & Vintage Boutique, is one of the four awardees in this category. She expressed gratitude for the support, stating that it is a game-changer for small business owners.
In conjunction with National Small Business Week, REV Birmingham and the PNC Foundation announced the inaugural round of awardees for the Birmingham Open for Business initiative. Fifteen entrepreneurs, including LeNardo Oliver of Q Rock Movers, Keara Noy of A C’hic Affair, and Daniel Grier of Magic City Fashion Week, were selected to receive technical assistance or grant awards totaling $100,000.
The goal of Birmingham Open for Business is to connect under-resourced entrepreneurs with the capital and tools needed to sustainably build their businesses. Funds will be used to pay for professional service providers such as accountants, marketing professionals, and lawyers.
Applications for the next round of funding and services, focusing on supporting brick-and-mortar businesses, are currently open and will close on June 2. These initiatives aim to support local entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth and vibrancy of Birmingham’s business community.
