Baltimore, MD. December 30, 2020
Baltimore Community Lending (BCL) is pleased to announce that it has awarded COVID-19 relief grants to 30 small businesses in Baltimore City. Each business received $10,000 thanks to the support of a Truist Cares grant, which is a cooperative effort between Truist Financial Corporation, Truist Foundation, Inc., and Truist Charitable Fund to provide communities, organizations and individuals disaster relief and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. Many businesses have struggled to stay afloat as operating restrictions have been enacted, and consumers have cut back on spending. These grant funds will allow 30 local businesses to recover lost revenue, retain jobs, pay rent, and cover the costs of materials required to operate during the pandemic.
Of the grantees, 80% are minority-owned, and 83% are women-owned. BCL is committed to supporting these populations that are most likely to face barriers to credit and have the greatest need for small business support. Chardá Watkins, owner of Baltimore Beauty Bubble, said, “We are so fortunate to have received funding from Baltimore Community Lending during these uncertain times. The funds will cover expenses, payroll for employees, and inventory for our guests. We will also be able to pay other local small businesses that stock our retail shelves.”
The grant awardees are:
• Baltimore Beauty Bubble, LLC
• Baltimore Fitness Concepts, LLC
• Benedetto, Inc.
• Breaking Bread, LLC
• Culinary Architecture Partners, LLC
• Diaspora Salon, LLC
• Fashion Spa House, Inc.
• Fran’s Organic Bodycare, LLC
• Ganesh Bhagwan, Inc. (Mount Everest Restaurant)
• Gogos Retread Threads, LLC
• Harford Business Center, LLC
• Higher Ground Transportation Services, Inc.
• Jody Davis J.D., Inc.
• Keller Professional Services, Inc.
• Koko, Inc. (Brown Rice)
• KWJW Distributors, LLC
• The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Inc.
• Pinkett’s Assisted Living, LLC
• Prop Prep Properties, LLC
• The Pyatt Group, LLC
• Raslami Global Concepts, LLC
• RCM Productions, LLC
• Sachs Design, LLC
• Say It With a Clown and Balloons
• Silver Queen Café, LLC
• Studio 7 The Salon, LLC
• Tri-Hearts Counseling, LLC
• Vida Don, LLC
• Work Printing And Graphics, Inc.
• YBI African Apparel & Fashions, LLC
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspire and build better lives and communities. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. with total assets of $499 billion as of September 30, 2020. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.
About Truist Foundation
The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Learn more at Truist.com/Truist-Foundation.
About Truist Charitable Fund
The Truist Charitable Fund is a donor-advised fund created by Truist and administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation.