Helping Black-Owned Businesses in Pacific NW

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Ezell’s Famous Chicken Co-Founders Lewis and Darnell Rudd, along with their sister Faye Stephens, in partnership with DoorDash, are excited to introduce the Rudd’s R.U.B.B. (Raising Up Black Businesses) Initiative, a precedent-setting initiative designed to financially empower Black-owned businesses.

“As part of our commitment to expanding entrepreneurship and access in communities of color, DoorDash is proud to support the Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative that aims to financially empower Black-owned businesses and help them grow,” said Tasia Hawkins, Social Impact Program Lead, DoorDash.

Rudd’s R.U.B.B. will offer no-strings-attached business grants to 20 Black-owned businesses and organizations in the Pacific Northwest to help fund sustainability, operations, growth, and success.

“The RUDD’s R.U.B.B. Initiative will have a very positive impact on small Black-0wned Businesses that will lead to positive change within the Community,” Lewis Rudd said. “As Co-Founders, we believe that supporting and promoting Entrepreneurship will help in closing the wealth gap for African Americans and lead to other benefits such as better medical and education and less violence. The initial response and support has been great and we anticipate it will continue to grow.”

In addition to DoorDash, Rudd’s R.U.B.B. is reaching out to a select group of corporate entities to join the initiative as Partners in Prosperity, which will create an opportunity to grow the fund and increase the program’s reach with a goal of doubling the number of businesses this project can help. Other current Partners in Prosperity include, Sysco, PepsiCo and Bargreen Ellingson.

Business grant awards will be distributed based on a combination of an application process, direct recommendations, and working through Black business-serving organizations to determine awardees. Each awardee must fulfill pre-established criteria.

This initiative is only the beginning of a legacy project designed to continue supporting Black-owned businesses for years to come.