curated by Emerald Staff

A round-up of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!

Ezell’s Accepting Grant Applications From Black-Owned Businesses in New Initiative

Ezell’s Famous Chicken announced on Monday, Aug. 30, that, in partnership with on-demand food-delivery company DoorDash, they will be offering “no-strings-attached business grants” to 20 Black-owned businesses and organizations in the Pacific Northwest under their new Rudd’s Raising Up Black Businesses (R.U.B.B.) Initiative. The grants will help fund sustainability, operations, growth, and success for the grantees.

Ezell’s will also be offering eight additional grants (in addition to the 20 under the R.U.B.B. Initiative) under their President’s Choice Awards program.

Applications opened on Monday, Aug. 30, and can be submitted through Monday, Sept. 20. Grants will be awarded based on a combination of the application process, direct recommendations, and working with Black business-serving organizations.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, and to apply for Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative grant program, visit the “Ezell’s Famous Chicken Presents: The Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative — Business Grants for Raising Up Black Businesses” grant application webpage.

From Ezell’s: “‘The Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative will have a very positive impact on small Black-owned businesses that will lead to positive change within the community,’ Lewis Rudd [co-founder of Ezell’s] said. ‘As co-founders, we believe that supporting and promoting entrepreneurship will help in closing the wealth gap for African Americans and lead to other benefits such as better medical and education and less violence. The initial response and support has been great and we anticipate it will continue to grow.’ 

“This initiative was created by Lewis Rudd, co-founder and CEO of Ezell’s Famous Chicken, which has been in business for 37 years and operates 17 locations throughout Washington and Oregon. Rudd approached DoorDash with his idea and forged a partnership that led to the company joining the endeavor as a Charter Partner, donating $40,000 to start the fund. The Rudd Family contributed $10,000 to the Fund.    

“In addition to DoorDash, Rudd’s R.U.B.B. is reaching out to a select group of corporate entities to join the initiative as Partners in Prosperity, which will create an opportunity to grow the fund and increase the program’s reach with a goal of doubling the number of businesses this project can help.”