ATLANTA — Atlanta's Westside Future Fund this week announced the first eight recipients of funding in its Program Related Investment Initiative.
The organization chose eight Black entrepreneurs "with ties to Atlanta's historic Westside" to receive low-cost capital funding of up to $70,000.
The program, a release said, "is designed to increase entrepreneurs’ capacity and help drive economic development in Atlanta’s Historic Westside neighborhoods."
Those eight businesses include:
- Iwi Fresh: A "farm-to-skin spa" in Castleberry Hill, which offers "veggie manicures, veggie pedicures, veggie facials, herbal massages and organic men's grooming services." Yolanda Owens has been operating the business for 17 years.
- Marddy's Kitchen: A catering service started by Keitra Bates that "supports fellow culinary entrepreneurs via a Westside based ghost kitchen." It has been in operation for 10 years.
- MLK Dental Center: A dental office operated by Dr. Morenda Sullen in Vine City, the neighborhood she grew up in.
- MC Doggie Resort: A premium pet care business, with training, grooming, boarding and day care services. It has been operated by Christian Tyler for seven years in Vine City.
- ZuCot Gallery: An art gallery in Castleberry Hill that is considered the largest Black fine arts gallery in the southeastern U.S. The gallery's mission is to "promote original works of art by living African American artists and provide both novice and seasoned collectors with meaningful and unique services that enhance the art collecting experience." Onaje Henderson has had the gallery in operation for 10 years.
- The Cute Shuttle: A Vine City-based transportation service started by Auna Tyson five years ago, it is described as a "hyper-local" and "eco-friendly" service "that provides rides to community events at a lower cost with a safer rideshare experience."
- PaperBox eShare, Ltd.: Started by Kisean Smith in Ashview Heights two years ago, this business "provides a convenient car rental experience for consumers looking to book an economy vehicle" with a growing fleet that currently stands at about 30 vehicles.
- Local Green Atlanta: A "fast casual restaurant brand" that aims to "provide wholesome food options to the residents of Atlanta's Westside community." Zak Wallace has operated the business out of Vine City for four years.
Explaining the aims of the program, Westside Future Fund noted in a release the inequities that Black entrepreneurs face in attempting to get funding and the disproportionate impact the pandemic had on Black-owned businesses.
"Inherent bias creates a lack of resources like access to capital and the network of supportive institutions that provide a safety net for white business owners," the release said. "This systemic inequality means that only 12% of Black and minority-owned businesses that sought assistance from the federal government received what they requested, and 41% were denied altogether."
The president and CEO of Westside Future Fund, John Ahmann, said in a statement that Westside businesses "have long been denied place-based equity and economic mobility."
Through donations from corporations including Truist, PNC and AT&T, Ahmann said "We are making a measurable impact on racial equity by creating economic opportunities in a crucial area of our city."