The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. - DC Chapter Announces 2018 MicroGrant Recipients

WASHINGTON - Aug. 13, 2018 - PRLog -- The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. - Metropolitan Washington DC Chapter (NCBWDC) announces Cristine Davis, owner and director of District Dance Arts, and Angela Chester-Johnson, owner of Plum Good, LLC as the winners of their second annual 2018 MicroGrant program for Black women-owned businesses.

African-American women are the fastest growing population of new business owners. However, they are least likely to receive capital resources to develop their entrepreneurial skills and business ventures. The MicroGrant program is designed with the goal of growing minority women entrepreneurship, giving them access to financial capital resources to build and sustain their businesses, and supporting them by providing exposure throughout the Metro DC community. "We are thrilled to have yet another opportunity to invest resources in support of Black women-owned businesses. Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone to providing economic empowerment and a pathway to generational wealth," states Ayris T. Scales, NCBWDC Chapter President.

Businesses interested in the MicroGrant had an opportunity to attend the three-part 'My Sister's Keeper: Women In Business' webinar series. The goal of the series is to increase opportunities for education and capacity development, network building and accessingcapital for local Black women looking to start, build and expand businesses ownership. Qualifying applicants had a period of 6 weeks to submit their application. After the deadline, seven finalists were selected by NCBWDC to participate in a live pitch for an opportunity to access grant funding of up to $1,500.

Cristine Davis wants to build a community that believes in dance as a resource for wellness, healthy communication, and self-expression. While reflecting on the vision of her company, Davis states, "I want people to see the dance environment as a safe place for self-discovery. The benefits can positively impact business and academia, create dialogue among neighbors, and encourage personal growth."

Angela Chester-Johnson, the owner of Plum Good, LLC, is a master gardener, gourmet cook, and visionary veteran food vendor. "The Food Market is changing. It's diverse and demands that the ingredients be fresh, nutritious, local whenever possible, interesting, and fun to eat. These changes in the market are increasing the odds for small businesses to compete and capture a more significant share of the consumer market," states Chester-Johnson.

ABOUT DISTRICT DANCE ARTS AND PLUM GOOD, LLC.

District Dance Arts, founded in 2013 by Cristine Davis, with a mission to help people discover their physical and creative abilities through sound instruction in dance. They believe discovery through dance helps develop self-confidence, ambition, and discipline; which are all key to personal achievement and success. Davis will use the Grant award for the professional development of her staff, and social media marketing.

Plum Good, LLC., founded in 2011 by Angela Chester-Johnson, with a mission to provide customers with the highest quality local and global teas, spices, herbs, snacks and sauces in the market; and to provide life-transforming nutritional information and expand our community's culinary IQ. They believe the kitchen should be a fun adventure and that people should eat well at home. They will use awards from the Grant to purchase the necessary equipment to comply with the demand for partnering with other businesses.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN, INC. - WASHINGTON DC CHAPTER:

NCBWDC chartered on August 29, 2015. They strive to create a world where socioeconomic inequality does not exist for Black women and girls. To achieve their goals, they focus on the health, education and economic empowerment of Black women and girls through civic engagement and building strategic alliances.

NCBWDC launched the MicroGrant program in accordance with their national priority of economic empowerment. Other signature programs created by NCBWDC include My Sister's Keeper Economic Empowerment, Women-Owned Business MicroGrant Program, PINK100: Breast Cancer Awareness, Practice & Prevention, and Exceptionally Me Mentoring Program.

Images and a PDF copy of this press release are accessible at:

http://bit.ly/NCBWDC001