'An answer to our prayers': Milwaukee nonprofit Upstart Kitchen receives $50K grant

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Thanks to a new grant partnership between organizations in Wisconsin and New Jersey, a Milwaukee nonprofit will be able to continue helping local entrepreneurs interested in food businesses explore their dreams.

On Thursday, members with Upstart Kitchen gathered with representatives of Cross River, a NJ-based financial services institution for a check presentation. 

The amount? $50,000.

Bishop Walter Harvey, President Emeritus for Prism EDC, the company that operates Upstart Kitchen, said that life-changing number is an answer to their prayers.

"They have a dream inside of them and we are just coming alongside of them to help activate that, to provide a space, and to help accelerate it," Bishop Harvey said. "Through the philanthropic community and partnerships like this one we've developed with Cross River; we just want to say thank you."

Thanks to a $50k grant from Cross River, a NJ-based financial services organization, #Milwaukee nonprofit Upstart Kitchen will be able to continue serving local food entrepreneurs and helping them make their dreams become a reality. On @CBS58 at 4p pic.twitter.com/Eu1j03Vjzu

— Ellie Nakamoto-White (@ellienw_news) November 3, 2022

The 24/7 commercial kitchen was created in 2018. Since then, numerous Milwaukeeans have been able to cook and bake their dreams to reality, using the state-of-the-art equipment and rental space.

Tamesha Russell with Baked Dreams Creations said she's seen the nonprofit grow from the very beginning.

"It's been a really humbling experience for everyone because we've literally grown together and been able to see the tremendous growth and the tremendous help that this has been to us as entrepreneurs and also now to the community," Russell said. "It's really exciting."

Leo Ries, Prism EDC's associate director, called the nonprofit an "incubator" for food entrepreneurs.

In a news release, Wisconsin Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-6) said that small businesses are "instrumental" to community success.

“The collaboration between Cross River and Upstart Kitchen will empower these entrepreneurs and allow them to achieve their business dreams. This grant is a beautiful example that we are stronger together and our connections are not limited by state lines," Sen. Johnson said.