PCC Community Markets, one of Seattle’s original grocers and the largest community-owned food market in the U.S., announced the recipients of its annual Diverse Entrepreneur Grant program that provides free capital to underrepresented small businesses in partnership with Seattle-based Ventures, a non-profit working to empower local entrepreneurs.
The 2021 recipients receiving grants totaling $8,000 are:
• Chawntee Duncan, owner of Chawntee’s Market, focused on herbal and natural supplements.
• Mahogany Williams, owner of The Pickled Chef, a small-batch Northwest BIPOC pickling company.
• Keaomee Horne, owner of Lannie, a “free-from” nail polish and remover producer.
• Angelo Jimenez, owner of VegBur, Inc. that produces plant-based mozzarella cheese.
• Elena Nebreda, owner of Kisses From, producing USDA Organic lip balms.
“We are continually looking for ways to help break down barriers facing underrepresented entrepreneurs to help them achieve long-term financial stability and enrich their communities through small business ownership,” said Beto Yarce, Ventures’ executive director, in a statement. “Our partnership with PCC is critical in providing real-world business experience that helps our entrepreneurs scale their business from concept to product on store shelves.”
PCC introduced the Diverse Entrepreneur Grant program in 2020 to support Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), female and LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. This year’s recipients will use the grants to support a range of business needs including research and development, permits, and inventory.
The grants are an extension of the Scaling for Success program held by Ventures and PCC each year. Scaling for Success courses include members of PCC’s merchandising team and focus on all aspects of developing a wholesale business from creating business plans with a focus on wholesaling and inventory management to efficient communication between business owners and potential customers.
“Through training in the Scaling for Success program, funding with our grants, and mentorship with our merchandising team, we are creating economic opportunity for diverse small businesses, while providing shoppers with the local, high quality products they love,” said Brenna Davis, PCC’s vice president of social and environmental responsibility.
Related: LGBTQ+ Restaurateurs Awarded $100k Grants; Every Body Eat is Million Dollar Winner of Grow-NY.