Shopping is as much a part of Summerfesting as eating and drinking. Thus, more than 100 vendors will be on site showcasing a wide range of products including nine minority-owned businesses thanks to the The BMO EMpower Grant program.
The BMO EMpower Grant program at Summerfest was launched in 2021 and addresses barriers faced by minority-owned businesses. BMO is sponsoring these marketplace vendors at Summerfest, who are receiving funds to help support their Summerfest booth, along with assistance on how to elevate their display, marketing broader product inventories and other upfront event costs.
BMO EMpower grant recipients will also experience networking opportunities and access to financial education events structured for small business owners.
The 2022 BMO EMpower Summerfest vendors are as follows:
- Papyrus & Charms
- Scents & Such LLC
- Badass Baubles
- Keepnitmil LLC
- Khepra Jewelers, LLC
- Golden Reign
- RuvaAfricWear LLC
- Necessary Pieces
- Originails, LLC
Visit the BMO Harris Pavilion page for more information about each of the BMO Empower Summerfest vendors.
“We’re very proud to provide BMO EMpower grants at Summerfest again this year, particularly since the feedback from last year’s participants was so overwhelmingly positive,” said Anthony Hudson, BMO’s Regional President, Retail Banking, Wisconsin. “Our partnership with these companies will assist them by providing access to Summerfest and an opportunity to grow. Similar to last year, we’re hoping to see this event truly catapult these grant recipients forward into bigger and better things.”
There are three main shopping areas at Summerfest: South Market, the Artisan Makers Market and the Shop Local Market. Other vendors can also be found throughout the festival grounds, including the lake walk.
"We are very pleased to help support the BMO EMpower vendors and play a role in assisting these minority-owned businesses succeed during Summerfest and beyond,” said Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
