VIA Times – August 2022 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
WHAT: Courvoisier® Cognac, the Most Awarded Cognac House*, recently hosted the Courvoisier Entrepreneurship Awards featuring Chicago’s top small business owners, marking the latest endeavor in support of the brand’s global philanthropic platform, Foundation 1828™. As an extension of its multi-year partnership with the National Urban League (NUL), Courvoisier teamed up with regional affiliate, the Chicago Urban League, to host a compelling pitch competition, small business networking session and educational panel at Gallery Guichard (home to the winners of last year’s Courvoisier Small Business Matters Virtual Pitch Competition) – together awarding financial grants to top participants. Each small business nominee who participated in the Courvoisier Entrepreneurship Awards had the chance to win a monetary grant – $25,000 grand prize, $15,0 00 first runner up, $10,000 second runner up and $5,000 third runner up.
WHO: This year’s winners include –
• Grand Prize Winner ($25K) Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding – Genesis Bencivenga Sr.
A family-run and locally-sourced frozen pudding company that offers a variety of flavors including original southern-style banana, Hawaiian pineapple and strawberry.
• First Runner Up ($15K)
Love & Light Café – Kiley Russell
Love & Light Café was created to make delicious, healthy food, inclusive, and equitable for all members of the local community.
• Second Runner Up ($10K) Consummate Home – Tiffani Bell
Consummate Home is a concierge service that helps connect the community to Black experts and trusted professionals in the home space
• Third Runner Up ($5K)
Agriculture – Milton Latrell
Agriculture is a custom clothing and luxury goods store for men’s style with products from the best menswear and luxury brands, including luxury watches, clothing, accessories, colognes and shoes
WHY: The Courvoisier Entrepreneurship Awards in Chicago was the latest endeavor under Foundation 1828 – a $1 million financial commitment over five years to aid Black and minority small business owners and entrepreneurs in the U.S. Later this year, Courvoisier will host three additional pitch competitions in key markets with NUL Entrepreneurship Center Programs, furthering the multi-year partnership to equip the minority business communities with critical resources – from educational programs and mentorship opportunities to financial support – exemplifying the very mission of Foundation 1828.
Local entrepreneurs and grant winners (left to right: Tiffani Bell, Genesis Bencivenga Sr., Milton Latrell and Kylie Russell) get ready to present their small business presentations at the Courvoisier Entrepreneurship Awards hosted by Courvoisier and the Chicago Urban League on Wednesday, August 3. (photo credit: Dot Ward)
