Black Business Hub in Wisconsin Drives Growth for Black Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneur Daijah Wade, the opening of the Black Business Hub (BBH) in Madison, Wisconsin, was more than a new address—it was a turning point. Wade had operated The Walking Jerk, her Caribbean plant-based food business, strictly as a catering service for years.

But when the Hub opened in August 2024, she secured a permanent ground-floor storefront, expanded her menu, and joined a growing community of Black entrepreneurs building businesses side by side.

The $25.5 million, 80,000-square-foot facility—managed by the Urban League of Greater Madison—was created with a bold vision: to ignite a “Black Renaissance” in South Madison. Designed as a comprehensive ecosystem for economic empowerment, the Hub offers resources intended to support Black-owned businesses for generations to come.

Urban League CEO Dr. Ruben Anthony championed the Hub after confronting a troubling statistic: only 0.04% of Dane County businesses with more than one employee are Black-owned.

The disparity has persisted for decades, but Dr. Anthony believed a centralized, dedicated space could help close the gap by offering Black entrepreneurs the tools, capital, and community historically denied to them.

A Space Built With Intention

The building’s design reflects its mission. Bright colors, bold angles, and a signature brown overhang evoke the stoops and gathering places that once served as cultural anchors in Black neighborhoods. The architecture signals that this is a place meant to welcome, energize, and empower.

Inside, the Hub consolidates essential resources under one roof. Entrepreneurs have access to specialized training, mentorship, business consulting, and networking opportunities. On the upper floors, financial institutions—including Hope Community Capital and Forward Community Investment—provide entrepreneurs with immediate access to funding guidance and capital.

A Growing Engine for Community Wealth

Since launching, the Black Business Hub has worked with more than 200 businesses and organizations through its programs, trainings, and pop-up events. For Dr. Anthony, this momentum affirms the Hub’s purpose. He sees it not just as a building, but as a generational economic engine for South Madison.

“This center,” he said, “is a gift that will keep on giving for many years to come.”

For entrepreneurs like Wade, the Hub delivers something even more powerful: a space where Black businesses can grow, thrive, and shape the future of their community.