FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Twenty-five local Black-owned businesses and their owners were awarded Dyer Grants, a program that aims to support small, for-profit Black-owned businesses, the Dyer Family Foundation announced in a ceremony on Wednesday.
The Dyer Family Foundation, an organization that supports local small business owners and entrepreneurs, awarded a total of $166,000 to the 25 grant recipients. This is the third year the foundation has provided grants to Fort Wayne-area business owners.
This year, grants were awarded to businesses in a variety of fields, with a focus on healthcare and restaurant services, business and related fields, technology and media as well as childcare and senior services.
Recipients of 2024 Dyer Grants include:
- Ashley Washington, Foundations First Childcare
- Renee Locket, Renee Lockett Learn and Grow Childcare
- Clarence White, KYDA (Keep Your Dreams Alive)
- Jeffery Davis, Davis Mobility, LLC
- Brittany and Travis White, JB Landscape, LLC
- Brice Miles, TruFit, LLC
- DeAndre Powell, Powell and Sons Trucking, LLC
- Edwiena Noel, Elite Medical Staffing
- Malinda Butler, Burgeoning Home Care, LLC
- Vanessa Hayden, Partly Whimsical, LLC
- Tyrone, Causey, Tyvonn Music
- Crystal Kelly, Uniquely You Counseling and Wellness Center, LLC
- Julie Sanchez, Expert Business Solutions, LLC
- Amber Tinsley, A&J Optical Boutique
- Nikisha Jones, ABC & Me Childcare
- Margaret Logan Sister’s Daycare
- Deondra Steward, Unique Cherubs
- Andrea Cotton, Cotton Care LLC
- Kasey Carr, Kanvas Kreations
- Londria Ladner, Wixporium
- Deanna Lockett, Breaking Barriers Case Management
- Alyssia Binnion, Positively Impacting Families LLC
- Toyi Tanner, Purposeful Consulting
- Dajuan Lastrapes, Kids R Us Montessori
- Dawn Macon, All Kids Childcare