New Black Business Hub Aims to Help Small Businesses

Thousands of people gathered in south Madison to celebrate the ceremonial opening of a brand new Black Business Hub that aims to benefit the community. 

Local leaders cut the ribbon on the new building Saturday afternoon (August 24th) in collaboration with the 10th Annual Unity Picnic. 

Organizers say the goal of the Hub is to help Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) business owners start and expand their businesses by offering financial and mentorship services. 

President and CEO of Urban League of Greater Madison (Madison, WI) Ruben Anthony made sure to recognize what the hub means to the community. 

"There are 10,000 businesses in Dane County that have more than only one employee," said Dr. Anthony. "Only four-tenths of a percent of those businesses are Black owned businesses. We believe here at the Black Business Hub that we are going to change those numbers."

According to Ruben, the Hub is equipped with 90 business spaces. Twenty spots are currently occupied. Resources include classrooms for mentoring new business owners, event spaces and a large kitchen space for entrepreneurs looking to expand their skills. 

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