National ACE Foundation and American Express Provide 55 $5,000 Grants to AAPI-Owned Businesses
$375K in Grants Awarded to Small Businesses in the Inaugural Round of Inclusive Backing
[March 17, 2022 - Washington, DC] Main Street America is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of Inclusive Backing, a new grant program presented by American Express, as part of its Backing Small efforts, to help underrepresented small business owners that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic recover and thrive. During the inaugural round, grants of $5,000 have been awarded to owners of 75 brick-and-mortar small business across 24 states, plus D.C., who identify as persons with disabilities and/ or as Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander. With judging support from Disability:IN and National ACE Foundation, grantees were selected based on how the grant would help improve the viability of the business; feasibility of project implementation; and the extent to which the grant will help address an acute business need or help a business owner implement innovative solutions to address COVID-19-related challenges. Inclusive Backing is a $1.65M year-round grant program aimed at backing underrepresented small business owners as they navigate the pandemic and plan for long-term success. Part of American Express’ Backing Small efforts, the program will provide hundreds of underrepresented small businesses with financial support as well as other resources to address their critical business needs and challenges. This first disbursement totaling $375,000 to small businesses in older or historic Main Streets and commercial districts marks the first grant round of this program. Tune in to our channels throughout the month for more information on future rounds and the communities and identities our grants will support.
The inaugural grantees of the Inclusive Backing grant program include:
77 Chinese and Vietnamese Cuisine LLC | San Francisco, CA
Ale & Cider House | West Linn, OR
A&Qs | Boston, MA
Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics | Detroit, MI
Aspen Copies & Office Supplies | Los Alamos, NM
Assembly Shop LLC | Stevens Point, WI
B.Lincatering | Washington, DC
Basalt Collective LLC | Moses Lake, WA
Belle Spa and Nails | Chicago, IL
Bill and Harry Maplewood | Maplewood, NJ
Bird and Buffalo Thai Soul Food | Oakland, CA
Brush Sushi Izakaya | Decatur, GA
Buffalo Paint & Wallpaper | Buffalo, NY
Bunkado, Inc | Los Angeles, CA
Cafe Dulce | Los Angeles, CA
Cha Community | Waco, TX
Chi Em Eats | Emporia, KS
Covered Bridge Café | Stayton, OR
Chuck's Spring Street Café | Princeton, NJ
Culinary Architecture | Baltimore, MD
D & L Molokai Body Parts | Kaunakakai, HI
Dak | Chicago, IL
Daol Tofu | Oakland, CA
Device Surgeon | Boonton, NJ
Djakarta Café | Philadelphia, PA
Estrellita | Atlanta, GA
Et Fille Wines | Newberg, OR
Frames on Main | Winchester, KY
Gemstone Creations | Fredericksburg, VA
Gourmet Noodle Bowl | Seattle, WA
Hai Yen Restaurant | Chicago, IL
Haleola Essentials, LLC | Kaunakakai, HI
Heirloom Rustic Ales | Tulsa, OK
Himalayan Kitchen | Somerville, MA
Hometown Barber Shop | Sandersville, GA
Hop Woo BBQ Restaurant | Los Angeles, CA
Immm | Chicago, IL
JNJ Gifts and More | Verona, WI
Juliette Morris Williams - Jewelry, Mixed Media | Nevada City, CA
Last Minute Gear | San Francisco, CA
Prego Deli | Washington, DC
La De Da | Easton, MD
K Ribs BBQ Inc | Joliet, IL
KDO Corp. | Flushing, NY
Krungthep Tea Time | Winter Park, FL
LT Sue Tea Room | Hanford, CA
Little Country Flowers and Gifts | Wilburton, OK
Midori Japanese Restaurant | Greensboro, NC
Mimi's Convenience | Washington, DC
Mitsuru Café | Los Angeles, CA
Okie Pokie | Oklahoma City, OK
Old Town General Store Inc. | Lansing, MI
Pasteur Grill & Noodles | New York, NY
Petite Peso | Los Angeles, CA
PIVOT Work Spaces | Ellicott City, MD
post.script. | San Francisco, CA
PWG LLC | Strasburg, VA
Quick Snacks and More | Baton Rouge, LA
Rod Retherford Saddlery and Cowboy Art | Pendleton, OR
Siam House | Washington, DC
Sobo Ramen | Oakland, CA
Spinster Books | Ashland, WI
Spring and Sprout | Washington, DC
Spotless Dry Cleaners | Millburn, NJ
Sugar Bliss LLC | Chicago, IL
Sunny Florists LLC | South Boston, MA
The Grooming Gallery | Dickinson, ND
The Kitchenette, LLC | Frederick, MD
The Olive Fruit | Enterprise, AL
Tiny Sparkles Pediatric Dentistry | Port Washington, NY
Towne Wine and Liquor | Washington, DC
White Mattress Company LLC | Roswell, NM
Wicked BAO | Fernandina Beach, FL
Xankia LLC | Milwaukee, WI
Youngsan Karate | Centreville, MD