Dyer Grants Awarded for 3rd Year

By Caleigh Keating

Twenty-five local Black-owned businesses and their owners were awarded Dyer Grants, a program that aims to support small, for-profit Black-owned businesses, the Dyer Family Foundation announced in a ceremony on Wednesday.

The Dyer Family Foundation, an organization that supports local small business owners and entrepreneurs, awarded a total of $166,000 to the 25 grant recipients. This is the third year the foundation has provided grants to Fort Wayne-area business owners.

This year, grants were awarded to businesses in a variety of fields, with a focus on healthcare and restaurant services, business and related fields, technology and media as well as childcare and senior services.

Recipients of 2024 Dyer Grants include: Ashley Washington, Foundations First Childcare

Renee Locket, Renee Lockett Learn and Grow Childcare

Clarence White, KYDA (Keep Your Dreams Alive)

Jeffery Davis, Davis Mobility, LLC

Brittany and Travis White, JB Landscape, LLC

Brice Miles, TruFit, LLC

DeAndre Powell, Powell and Sons Trucking, LLC

Edwiena Noel, Elite Medical Staffing

Malinda Butler, Burgeoning Home Care, LLC

Vanessa Hayden, Partly Whimsical, LLC

Tyrone, Causey, Tyvonn Music

Crystal Kelly, Uniquely You Counseling and Wellness Center, LLC

Julie Sanchez, Expert Business Solutions, LLC

Amber Tinsley, A&J Optical Boutique

Nikisha Jones, ABC & Me Childcare

Margaret Logan Sister’s Daycare

Deondra Steward, Unique Cherubs

Andrea Cotton, Cotton Care LLC

Kasey Carr, Kanvas Kreations

Londria Ladner, Wixporium

Deanna Lockett, Breaking Barriers Case Management

Alyssia Binnion, Positively Impacting Families LLC

Toyi Tanner, Purposeful Consulting

Dajuan Lastrapes, Kids R Us Montessori

Dawn Macon, All Kids Childcare