The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin plans to open a new innovation and co-working space designed for African-American entrepreneurs, which it has named Legacy.
General contractor JCP Construction is currently constructing Legacy in a 4,212-square-foot building at 1920 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee. Galbraith Carnahan Architects designed the project.
In addition to co-working space for entrepreneurs, the building will house the AACCW’s offices and SHARED, a community commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs. It is expected to open in July.
“The main focus for having this co-working space, this Legacy, it’s specifically designed as a place for minority entrepreneurs. But you don’t have to be a minority to participate in the co-working space,” said Ossie Kendrix, president of AACCW.
AACCW, which is currently located at 633 W. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee, has launched a $500,000 fundraising campaign to help finance Legacy. The organization plans to have a membership model in place for entrepreneurs, and also have a public space available to AACCW’s 225 members.
“We were inspired by leaders like Victor Barnett and Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter, and named the space Legacy as a tribute to entrepreneurs who have and are making the world a better place,” Kendrix said. “There’s a lot of discussion in Milwaukee about fostering entrepreneurship, but we lack dedicated support for underrepresented, minority entrepreneurs. Legacy fills that need by providing access to workspace, mentorship, networking opportunities and business development resources.”
