Villa Villekulla Toy Store Selected to Receive Latest Inclusive Backing Grant from American Express

Main Street America is pleased to announce the third round of recipients for the Inclusive Backing Grant Program, presented by American Express, to help underrepresented small business owners who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic recover and thrive. Grants of $5,000 have been awarded to 60 small businesses owned by women, nonbinary people, and U.S. Veterans.

In partnership with Bunker Labs and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), grantees were selected based on feasibility of project implementation; how the grant would help improve the viability of the business; 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.

Funds can be used towards critical needs such as physical and digital improvements, new equipment, technology, and training to support their financial recovery and growth.

This program marks the latest effort in American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and educational resources to small businesses throughout the pandemic, with other grant programs including the Coalition to Back Black Businesses and Backing Historic Small Restaurants. Backing Small complements American Express’ Shop Small, a global year-round movement to spotlight small, independent businesses.

The fourth round of Inclusive Backing opens today, Tuesday, May 31. This round of Inclusive Backing will provide grants of $5,000 each to small business owners who identify as Native or Indigenous, Hispanic or Latinx, LGBTQ+ or as immigrants, refugees or forcibly displaced. To learn more or apply for the Inclusive Backing grant program, click here.

The grantees include:
The Nascent Group LLC | Ewebiquitous Fiber Arts | YaNique Salon and Accessories | Sun, Sand, and Blue Sky LLC | New Hong Kong Bakery Inc. | Harlem Cycle | Altered Reality, LLC | Wildlings Co. | Charm City Books | Griff Goods, LLC |  Meraki IV | Hideaway Cafe, LLC | Sweet Sosumba Vegan Cafe LLC | JUICEDEFINED LLC | Cherrys Beauty Supply Store LLC | US SUN RISE ENTERPRISES INC | Black Market Foods LLC | Net Diatom LP | La Vie En Rose Cafe LLC | Northwest Treatment | Chi-Town Cuts and Fades LLC | Mindpower Gallery | Books and Java LLC d/b/a Indigo Blue Coffeehouse | Redwood Raindrop Harmonics | Rt's Hobby Haus | Johnsons | Lawrence Morgan Financial Industries LLC | Dinamic Cuts | Wired Cycling LLC | Remedies Inn LLC | Natasha Blanche Vega |  Crooked Roots Design | Create & Escape LLC | Cobblestone Cafe | Code Black Atl | Stellar Candle Company LLC | Circle E Clothing Company LLC | TBFAF Miami LLC | Funky Frog LLC | Voiajer LLC | Tonia Silva |  VSH Health LLC | Inergy Advisors | Villa Villekulla Neighborhood Toy Store | Gene Reeg Motor Sales, Inc | Kids 1st OKC Childcare Center | Moore Accounting & Tax Services, LLC | Brick House Kitchen | My Big Sister’s Shoes LLC |Spirit of Shakti, LLC | Amanda’s Bayou | ARMS International LLC | Terra Running Company, LLC |  Regal Society Lifestyle LLC | Cotton Patch Altus LLC | Love Enterprises LLC | Capone Investment Company LLC | The Brown Bag Bistro LLC | All That 2 Go and Bakery LLC | Eight Ball Cafe