COVID Earners

Marquette University's Michael Gousha and John Johnson wrote about the worst-case scenario for Wisconsin's small businesses, but that thankfully did not happen. In Milwaukee county, unemployment is still high, yet its seen growth in the number of small businesses from 2020-2021.

For the last couple of years, Ashley Valentine has hosted pop-up book events throughout Milwaukee. Now, she’s opened a BIPOC children’s bookstore and literacy center called Rooted MKE.

Late last year, Esperanza Winters opened Wellspace MKE on the west side of Milwaukee. It’s a coworking, collective space for mental health and wellness providers who may be starting out and need a physical space, but aren’t ready to sign a lease.

Marcell Jackson opened the Ambition Center during the pandemic to support business owners, creatives, entrepreneurs and remote workers on the north side of Milwaukee.

For Lake Effect's COVID Earners Series, we speak with businesses owned and operated by people of color, who are reimagining our city’s future during the pandemic. When you think about vegan food, maybe bland raw vegetables or fruit come to mind, but the owners of Royally Vegan disagree.

After being a mobile bookstore throughout the pandemic, Niche Book Bar is opening a physical location in 2022 and will seek to serve as a positive community space.

In the COVID Earners Series, WUWM speaks with businesses owned and operated by people of color, who are reimagining our city’s futures through the pandemic. This week WUWM will look at local pop-up bookstore La Revo Books owned by two sisters, Barbara and Valeria Cerda.

Outpost Natural Foods has increased partnerships with businesses of color — including newly added Blossom Candle Company and Funky Fresh Spring Rolls — in order to reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

With the grand opening of the store on April 14, Maranta became the first Black and brown-owned plant store in Milwaukee.

Before the pandemic, JazzyRae' Jewels and Accessories stuck out as a place for women to be themselves, to support each other and to network. After COVID-19 shuttered doors, owner JohnRae Stowers found new ways to keep that community going.