Milwaukee,
26
October
2020
|
14:15 PM
America/Chicago

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin raises $1 million for the Legacy Campaign

Summary

A donation from American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation completes the $1 million campaign.

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin has reached its $1 million fundraising goal to establish the Legacy Co-Working and Innovation Space at 1920 N. Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive. Campaign donations will also support increased operational expenses in the coming year and establish an endowment. The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation stepped forward to provide the final gift that helped the campaign achieve its $1 million goal.

“American Family is committed to being a strong partner in our communities, and as we confront difficult and complex issues like the pandemic, equity and wealth gaps, and racial injustice, it’s more important than ever,” said Jim Buchheim, American Family community and social impact officer. “We’re proud to support the efforts of the African American Chamber of Commerce in creating this inclusive and accessible space, located on the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee, for entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

Ossie Kendrix, Chamber President, expressed gratitude for American Family and all the donors who gave generously to the campaign, saying, “In this time when African Americans have struggled to maintain health, security and means, campaign donors have stepped up to ensure that local entrepreneurs have a space to nurture their business dreams. Donors’ gifts to the Chamber ensure that we can invest in the entrepreneurs who will lead our community to prosperity.”

The Chamber launched the campaign in earnest in Fall 2019. The pandemic halted buildout of the Legacy space earlier this spring, however, construction has resumed. The Legacy Co-Working and Innovation Space will provide workspace and programmatic resources for Chamber members and entrepreneurs, that includes: Co-Working space, Leasable Private Offices for Entrepreneurs, SHARED Commercial Kitchen, and Coffee Shop/Retail Space. Chamber offices will move into the space in December, and the shared spaces will be completed in early 2021, in anticipation that a vaccine or other public health protocols will make it safer for people to gather.

Support for the campaign came from the following donors: Chris Abele; WEDC Funding via Milwaukee County; Greater Milwaukee Foundation; MillerCoors; American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation; Brewers Community Foundation; Fiserv; Johnson Controls Foundation; Wells Fargo; Herb Kohl Philanthropies; Town Bank & Catholic Financial Life; Evinrude Foundation; AACCW Board Giving; Deborah Allen/DNA Network; WE Energies Foundation; Enterprise Holdings Foundation; and the 100 for $100 Bronzeville Campaign.

Deborah Allen, DNA Network and Chamber Board Chair, Susan Lloyd, Lloyd Consulting and Greg Wesley, Medical College of Wisconsin, chaired the campaign, with significant support from Cecelia Gore, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation and the Chamber’s immediate Past Chair Wanda Montgomery.

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About the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin
The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin champions the growth and sustainability of African American-owned businesses by providing access to capital, education and advocacy through capacity building and strategic partnerships.

About American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation
The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, Inc. builds on our long-standing commitment and support of our communities. As our mission has evolved from corporate giving to community investing, we’ve turned our focus to creating strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations that have helped us strengthen both families and communities. For more information, see the Making a Difference page of amfam.com or the Community Investment page of the Newsroom.

About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 254 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.

Media contact for African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin:
Ossie C. Kendrix, Jr.
President and CEO

414-462-9450
okendrix@aaccwisconsin.org
www.aaccwisconsin.org