Madison Black Chamber of Commerce Announces 6th Annual Black Business Awards Dinner

Madison, WI – The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the 6th Annual Black Business Awards Dinner, a prestigious event recognizing and celebrating the exceptional achievements of Black-owned businesses in our vibrant community. The event is Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center and starts with a Red Carpet Arrival at 5:00 PM.

Spotlighting the resilience, innovation, and triumphs of Black entrepreneurs and businesses across South Central Wisconsin, the awards dinner has established itself as a triumphant celebration of Black Business Excellence during Black History Month. This year’s event promises an evening of Ebony Elegance and inspiration as we celebrate the often overlooked “Supporting Players” in our community that help us be our best selves! 

Winners of the Beauty Innovator Award, Style & Grace Award, Retail Excellence Award and nine other unique award categories will be announced during the ceremony.  

Nominations are now open to the public, and the Chamber encourages community participation in recognizing well-deserving Black-owned businesses and Black entrepreneurs. Members of the public can nominate across 12 award categories, with a limit of one ballot per person. Nominations can be submitted through https://bit.ly/mbccvotes.

Featured players of the evening include a curated collection of premium vendors selling a wide variety of luxurious goods and sophisticated services at the Black Wall Street Marketplace. Bolstering the vendors is the official Black Wall Street exhibit from the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum, a beautiful tribute showcasing the prosperity and perseverance of Black-owned businesses.

Key Event Highlights

1. Date and Time: Thursday, February 22, 2024. Red carpet rolls out at 5:00 PM.

2. Venue: The Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, a distinguished location providing a backdrop for an elegant and uplifting evening. Tickets can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/mbcctickets

3. Award Categories: Recognizing Black Business Excellence and showcasing the diversity and strength of our local business community. Nominate a business here through February 5.  https://bit.ly/mbccvotes

4. Black Wall Street Marketplace: Visit the Black Wall Street art exhibit from the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum while shopping from a curated collection of local businesses, artists, and vendors that embody Black Business Excellence.  Vendors can register here through February 11. https://bit.ly/mbccvendorcall

The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce extends a warm invitation to community members, business leaders, and supporters to join in this celebration of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and economic growth.

For media inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or ticket purchases, please contact: 
George Smith  
Public Relations and Outreach Specialist 
Madison Black Chamber of Commerce   
(312) 305-0130 
george@madisonblackchamber.com

About Madison Black Chamber of Commerce: 
The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is committed to promoting economic empowerment and fostering a thriving business community for Black entrepreneurs throughout South Central Wisconsin. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, the Chamber aims to create an environment that supports the growth and success of Black-owned businesses. General information available at https://www.madisonblackchamber.com/ 

Stirling, Schwartz now members of the Klaas Financial Asset Advisors

Klaas Financial announced on February 1, 2024 that Josh Stirling and Eric J. Schwartz have become members of the Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC.

Josh Stirling, CFA, Director of Portfolio Management joined Klaas in 2017. Eric J. Schwartz, CFP®, Investment Adviser Representative began his career at Klaas back in 2020. Both gentlemen work in Klaas Financial’ Fitchburg, WI location.

Wellness Advocate, Author Jessamyn Stanley to Speak on Yoga, Empowerment at Wisconsin Union Directorate Event Feb. 28

MADISON – Entrepreneur and yoga instructor Jessamyn Stanley will share her thoughts on inclusive wellness approaches and intersectionality at Tripp Commons in Memorial Union Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee’s free lecture lineup.

The event, titled “Yoga, Diversity, and Empowerment: A Journey with Jessamyn Stanley,” will feature a 60-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute audience Q&A. No tickets are necessary – admission is free and open to the public, with live captioning and American Sign Language interpreters provided. 

Co-founder of The Underbelly, a virtual yoga studio focused on creating authenticity and approachability within the yoga community, Stanley believes in transforming wellness from a universal idealized look to an approach that adapts to the unique needs of each person and body.

Her books, “Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body.” and “Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance,” have reached global audiences and provide perspectives on a body-positive and inclusive approach to yoga, wellness and loving oneself.

“Yoga peels back the edges of your mask, pushing you to the edge of who you’re pretending to be, introducing you to the luminance that lies beneath,” Stanley said in a 2021 interview with CNN. “You can find the answers to life’s biggest questions within that light inside you.” 

In addition to her video and outreach content, Stanley was also the host of relationship podcast “Dear Jessamyn” and was on Essence’s Future 15 List in 2020.

This event is supported in part by the Ed Garvey Lecture Fund.

The WUD DLS Committee brings engaging and influential people to the UW–Madison campus to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 12 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.

University of Wisconsin–Madison students interested in becoming a leader of WUD DLS – or any WUD committee or club – during the 2024-2025 academic year may apply online. WUD student leaders may be eligible for reimbursement of the equivalent of up to 80% of in-state tuition. Applications for WUD officer positions close Feb. 9 and applications for WUD directors and summer coordinator positions close March 1.

Patrons can learn more about the upcoming free talk featuring Jessamyn Stanley here. 

One Community Bank: Dan Mattes Promoted to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer

January 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

Dan Mattes Promoted to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer

(January 2024) – One Community Bank is excited to announce the promotion of Dan Mattes to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer of its Cottage Grove location.

“Dan has been a tremendous asset to the commercial team. He has worked closely with our clients and developed new business relationships. In his new role, he will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of business clients, helping them achieve their goals through effective communication and strategic planning,” said Tom Long, SVP Commercial Banking Manager.

“I am thrilled to grow with One Community Bank and develop business relationships in Cottage Grove, WI. I cannot wait for OCB – Cottage Grove to open soon,” said Dan.

Dan has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry with 10 years of experience in residential mortgage lending. He is passionate about giving back to his community. He is an active member of both the Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove Chambers of Commerce.

Outside of work, Dan loves spending time with his wife and three sons. When he has free time, he enjoys golfing and running.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 15 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Five years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.

UW Health: Invests in workforce housing for Dane County

MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority Board approved a $1 million workforce housing development investment that will benefit its employees and others in Dane County.

This marks the second time the UW Health board has invested $1 million in the Dane Workforce Housing Fund, joining other large, local employers in the effort to create more affordable housing for the Madison area workforce.

The fund began with a collaboration between the United Way of Dane County and the Economic Stability Council to tackle an affordable housing shortage in Dane County, according to Lorrie Heinemann, president and chief operating officer, Madison Development Corporation, the manager of the fund.

“Investors in the Dane Workforce Housing Fund fill a gap in the financing that could not be filled by another source of capital at a reasonable cost, giving developers a lower interest rate, and allowing them to offer some of their apartments at affordable rents to people making between 50 and 80% of the Dane County area median income,” she said.

The Dane County area median income in 2023 was $123,400 for a family of four, according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

UW Health has many employees in this group, according to Chuck Klein, manager of talent acquisition, UW Health. Madison area housing costs come up frequently in conversations while recruiting new employees, he said.

“People tell us they are surprised by how expensive housing is in Madison, particularly people who are moving from out of state,” Klein said.

While the issue affects many Madison area businesses, housing costs can be especially challenging for employees at UW Health because some jobs require employees to be on call regularly, which requires that they live within a certain distance from one of the hospitals.

“That’s basically the west side of Madison for employees at University Hospital, and affordable options are challenging to find,” he said.

UW Health joined a dozen other investors in the Dane Workforce Housing Fund I, investing the first $1 million in that initial round of funding that launched in 2020. The goal of the first round of the fund was to raise $10 million to build 500 units. When the fund closed in late 2023, it exceeded that goal by raising $11.8 million from 14 investors and building 747 new housing units. New apartment buildings created by the first round of funding include Uno Terrace Apartments in Madison, The Trotta and The Kestrel in Middleton, and Limestone Ridge in Fitchburg. The projects tend to have mixed-rate rents, with some offered at market rate and others to earners making less than the area median income.

The Madison Development Corporation is currently raising funding for Fund II, to build on the progress Fund I achieved, with the goal of reaching $10 million by February 2024. Employers interested in investing in the fund can call (608) 535-4572.

“We look forward to the next phase of this work,” Heinemann said. “We’re grateful to UW Health and all the investors who are working to be part of the solution that creates more quality workforce housing in Madison.”

This fund is an investment, not a donation for UW Health, but it is also more than that, according to Robert Flannery, chief financial officer, UW Health.

“This investment is part of our mission to improve health in Dane County,” he said. “Through collaboration with community organizations and other major local employers, we can improve health equity with better access to housing, including for our workforce.”

The full list of investors includes BMO Harris Bank, Exact Sciences Corporation, First Business Bank, Lake Ridge Bank, Madison Development Corporation, Madison Gas and Electric Foundation, Oak Bank, Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, Summit Credit Union, Park Bank, TruStage Foundation, UW Credit Union, UW Health and WPS Health Solutions.