Radio Milwaukee introduces ‘HYFIN Black Small Business Initiative’
Five businesses to share in $100,000 scholarship program
HYFIN, a Radio Milwaukee station, is proud to announce the launch of the Black Small Business Initiative (BSBI), a groundbreaking scholarship program designed to support and empower black-owned small businesses in Southeast Wisconsin. The initiative was unveiled October 10, 2024, at HYFIN’s 2nd Annual Anti- Gala event at Turner Hall Ballroom.
The BSBI scholarship program, valued at $100,000, will award five Milwaukee area black-owned small businesses with comprehensive marketing support and educational resources. Each recipient will receive a package worth $20,000, including:
• 500 on-air underwriting messages across HYFIN and 88Nine • The digital marketing budget for Radio Milwaukee platforms • Attendance at the 2025 HYFIN E-Commerce Summit for black businesses • Bi-monthly coaching sessions with Radio Milwaukee marketing specialists and other Milwaukee area executive leaders • A laptop courtesy of the United Way Techquity program • Additional coaching through Operation HOPE’s 1-Million Black Businesses Initiative
“This initiative aligns perfectly with Radio Milwaukee’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices and providing equitable solutions in our community,” said Tarik Moody, HYFIN’s Creative Director. “We’re excited to offer tangible support that can help black-owned businesses thrive and contribute to the economic growth of Southeast Wisconsin.”
The Black Small Business Initiative is presented in partnership with von Briesen & Roper, the Argosy Foundation, and Operation HOPE. Even if a business is not selected for the scholarship, it will still benefit from Operation HOPE’s entrepreneurship training programs and financial coaching.
Key dates for the initiative include:
• Application period: October 11 – December 1, 2024 • Winner announcement: First week of January 2025 • Program implementation: Throughout 2025
Black-owned small businesses in Southeast Wisconsin are encouraged to apply for this transformative opportunity. Applications will be accepted from October 11 through December 1, 2024, at https://hyfin.org/blackbusiness.
