$20,000 Grants to Black-Owned Restaurants
Heinz’s Black Kitchen Initiative started in 2020 to celebrate and preserve the legacy of Black food. According to its website, the initiative seeks to break down the barriers that keep Black voices and cooking out of the American culinary pantheon. The initiative is a partnership between Heinz, Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, and The LEE Initiative.
Now in its fourth year, the Black Kitchen Initiative recently awarded $20,000 in grants to 45 Black-owned restaurants across the country. The grant money can be used for restaurant renovations, marketing, staff development, new equipment purchases, menu expansion, and other business needs.
Three Black Wisconsin restaurants were selected, including two Milwaukee restaurants: Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille and Anomaly Catering. The third Wisconsin business is Chicago’s House of Hoagies in Menasha.
Meet One of the Recipients
Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille opened in Milwaukee in 2014 on 27th and Wells St. The sit-down restaurant is known for its buffet-style southern cooking and family hospitality. Owned by husband and wife Bennie and Angela Smith, the two are ecstatic to have won the grant.
The grant funds will be used to buy a cooling system to put in their trucks and heating bags/boxes to expand their catering services. Smith, the director of business management, said this grant allows the business to buy “wish list” items. Originally, Bennie owned BR Catering, while Angela assisted with the business, also doing project management. One of her clients was having trouble getting someone to use his property, and after conversations, the Smiths decided to buy the building to start Daddy’s Soul Food and Grille.
“Our catering is what opened doors for us,” said Angela.
The grant will fund new equipment and support the restaurant’s bottom line, which has been impacted by rising food costs since the pandemic. Despite $1.5–$1.7 million in annual sales, much of it covers overhead, said Smith.
The couple decided in October 2024 to shut down their second location, Daddy’s On Bluemound, and bring their breakfast dishes to 27th Street.
Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille has become a staple in Milwaukee, and Angela said it’s because of their consistency. This includes staying true to their business operating hours and keeping a consistent staff. Angela said two of their current staff members have been with them since the beginning, while others have been around for up to three years.
“You have to treat [your business] how you say it is,” said Angela.
A Snapshot
According to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, Anomaly Catering plans to use the grant money to fund their youth culinary education program, called Gastronomy Art Studio, along with sustaining their catering company. Since 2021, the Gastronomy Art Studio has taught kids ages 15-19 about the science, heritage, and culture of cooking.
Chicago’s House of Hoagies used its grant money to pay off the IRS. According to NBC 26, the restaurant’s accountant was taking the money instead of paying the business taxes. This grant provided relief for the business so it could continue operating.
Grants like this are much needed, and these three businesses are examples of how to support and help small-owned businesses.
