INDIANAPOLIS — A local nonprofit celebrated Juneteenth by giving back to Black-owned businesses.
Four Black women entrepreneurs have graduated from the Niche 1.0 program and been awarded a total of $40,000 to support their businesses.
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Chef Jusina Kendrick won the grand prize of $25,000.
The money has enabled her to quit her full-time job and focus on running her business, Juszina Maria’s Catering Studio.
“Firstly, we’re going to buy a delivery van,” she said, “and then use the money to buy more equipment for our catering company and hire more staff.”
Kendrick joined three other Black women entrepreneurs who graduated from the program on Saturday.
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“Niche is a program that helps minorities start, manage and grow businesses in their communities,” explains Niche founder and executive director Toseiah Holmes. “The biggest takeaway is that we’re giving them something they don’t really have access to.”
The Niche 2.0 finalists completed an intensive, year-long business planning program that educates and mentors entrepreneurs by helping them with budgeting, ordering supplies, obtaining certifications and more.
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Saturday concluded with a pitch competition at Holiday Park.
The women stood before a panel of judges for a chance to win seed money for their businesses.
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“It’s been life changing. I just graduated and I was awarded $10,000. It’s really helped me to move forward and grow Girl Code and my business,” said Lanie Terry, founder of The Girl Code, a nonprofit that supports girls in STEM fields.
Niche founder Toseiah Holmes, a Black woman herself, thinks this is crucial for other minority-owned businesses.
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“The reason we’re aligning these graduation ceremonies with our Juneteenth celebrations is not only to honor these women, but also to recognize equal opportunity,” Holmes said.
“They have some programs in place that are going to help us be successful from start to finish,” Kendrick added.
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The deadline for the next graduating class is July 15th.
There are also youth summer camps that teach kids about entrepreneurship.
Click here for more information on the program.
