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Steve Jagler
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New center will be a resource for African American-owned businesses
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Dec. 14, 2021) – The African American Chamber of Commerce of
Wisconsin has opened its new Chris Abele Legacy Co-Working and Innovation Space at 1920 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Neighborhood.
The 4,000-square-foot Legacy Space features a commercial kitchen tailored for baking to help grow catering and other businesses, private offices, a coffee shop and retail space. The impact of the new Legacy Space already is being felt in the neighborhood, as
entrepreneurs such as Kenge Adams of Connect Business Consulting, Melissa Allen of Maures Development LLC, Jaquilla Ross Financial LLC and Adija Greer Smith of Confectionately Yours Bakery have set up shop in the center.
“The AACCW works directly with aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with opportunities to pitch their business concepts and ideas. 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,” said AACCW President and CEO Ossie Kendrix Jr.
The AACCW staff has moved into offices in the new headquarters, which will open to the
general public in 2022. The Chris Abele Legacy Co-Working & Innovation Space culminates a $650,000 investment by the AACCW. The center was designed by Galbraith Carnahan Architects and built by JCP Construction.
Kendrix said the AACCW projects its membership to grow 25 percent annually and to help
launch up to 80 new businesses at the Legacy Space over the next three years.
The opening of the Legacy Space caps an impressive series of milestones for the AACCW:
● Former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele donated $300,000 to help launch the
Legacy Space project.
● The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation recently provided an undisclosed
gift to complete the campaign for the Legacy Space.
● The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is awarding the AACCW a grant of
$144,400 to help build the Legacy Space.
Kendrix has raised more than $3.4 million for the AACCW over the past four years.
