The 25 Black business owners of Birmingham’s 2022 Magic City Match cohort competed for a total of $450,000 in grant funding at a June 17 pitch event. Chosen by a panel of judges, here are the top 13 Magic City Match grant recipients:

• $100,000: Heather Skanes, Oasis Women’s Health
• $50,000: Lavoris Williams, L Williams & Associates
• $50,000: Alisha Jiwani, Nia Benefit Corporation
• $25,000: Alexis Kimbrough, Herban Soul Café
• $25,000: Jay Johnson, Johnson Media Group, Inc. DBA: College Prep U
• $25,000: Joi Iman Gresham, Joi Iman
• $25,000: Andre Williams, Madd Studios
• $25,000: Cameron Crummie, MDV
• $25,000: Krystal White, Property and Pipelines
• $25,000: Martrell McGinnis, Rid-A-Bug
• $25,000: LaTisha Fletcher, Sankofa Inc.
• $25,000: Ursula Smith, Ursula Smith Company
• $25,000: Corey Whatley, Woodlawn Bar & Lounge

“Prosper is thrilled with the first cohort of Magic City Match participants,” said Dee Manyama, Prosper Initiatives Director. “We are proud of the selected winners and all their businesses represent. We look forward to witnessing their growth as we continue to cultivate opportunities for their businesses to be elevated and see the Black-owned business ecosystem in Birmingham and Jefferson County thrive.”

The pitch event was part of the programming at “Igniting Possibilities,” a business expo to celebrate, support and network with Black businesses.

All 25 Magic City Match cohort members received $2,000 at the May completion of an 8-week business academy led by Dr. Alice Gordon Holloway, CEO of Skye Connect, to help the business owners achieve greater short-term success and long-term sustainability. A total of $500,000 in grant dollars were disbursed to the 25 Black business owners in the 2022 cohort.