African American Chamber marks completion of co-working space in Bronzeville neighborhood

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin marked the opening of a new co-working space in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood on Tuesday.

The 4,000-square-foot Chris Abele Legacy Co-Working and Innovation Space, 1920 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, features offices, a coffee shop, retail space and a commercial kitchen set up for baking to help build catering companies and other businesses.

The AACCW staff has moved into offices in the new headquarters, which will open to the general public in 2022. A number of entrepreneurs have also set up shop in the new space, including Kenge Adams of Connect Business Consulting, Melissa Allen of Maures Development, Jaquilla Ross Financial and Adija Greer Smith of Confectionately Yours Bakery.

“The AACCW works directly with aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with opportunities to pitch their business concepts and ideas,” said AACCW President and CEO Ossie Kendrix Jr. in a statement. “The Chris Abele Legacy Co-Working & Innovation Space will provide a new venue for business owners to network and share resources and ideas. It will be a catalyst for commerce.”

Completion of the project culminates a $650,000 investment by the AACCW. JCP Construction built the new center, which was designed by Galbraith Carnahan Architects.

Kendrix said the chamber expects the new space will help start up to 80 new businesses over the next three years, whereas the organization’s membership will increase by 25% annually. Kendrix has raised more than $3.4 million for the AACCW over the past four years.

The contributions to the new space include:

● A $300,000 donation from Former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele

● An undisclosed gift from the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation to complete the campaign

● A $144,400 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Follow @natebeck9