IKEA West Chester hosted a celebration Thursday for Black business owners who benefited from the company’s $25,000 grant toward Black entrepreneurs.
The event marked the first time the recipients of the company’s Black Business Initiative, started in 2020, were able to meet together in person — a welcome change for IKEA Loyalty Manger Kitalena Mason, who characterized real networking connections as a central tenet of the initiative.
“This is about building a relationship, it isn’t just about giving a donation and (then they’ll) never see us again. No, we want to make sure they succeed and we want to introduce ourselves in person,” Mason said.
The benefactors, all MORTAR alumni, include Cincinnati businesses Jazzy Sweeties Bakery, Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar, Cozy Home Childcare and Learning Center, Pause Cincy, Bling House Nail Bar and Touch of Heaven Floral Shoppe.
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