Kalamazoo-born Doreen Gardner, Makers’ Mart 2022 winner and owner of Papa’s Peanut Brittle “like Nana and Papa use to make”, is one of eight recipients of the NAACP Powershift Grant. Our strong and collaborative community is creating a blue print to success and Doreen is leading the way.

Last month, black entrepreneurs from all over the country applied for the chance to win $25K each to help them grow and scale their businesses. In addition to the monetary compensation, winners of the grant will receive mentorship from Shark Tank’s Daymond John. Doreen was also invited to join Daymond John live, on-air during the Black Entrepreneur’s Day broadcast held last week.

In the idea and startup stage Doreen fully participated and graduated the Black Entrepreneurship Training Academy (BETA), went on to win Makers Mart 2022 and complete a Kiva campaign and was fully-funded. Doreen also partnered with other community partners and community resources, including Can Do Kitchen, Greater Kalamazoo Business Resources and Capital Consortium, Room 35, Michigan State University Product Center and Southwest Michigan First’s Catalyst University.

Black Entrepreneur’s Day is the ultimate celebration of Black business and entrepreneurship and has quickly become one of the most impactful purpose-driven events in the world. Created in 2020 by Daymond John, the founder and CEO of FUBU and Co-Star of ABC’s four-time Emmy Award winning show, Shark Tank, the event has raised over $650,000 in Black Business grants in partnership with the NAACP and has inspired millions of fans!

In case you missed the live broadcast, you can watch Doreen Gardner, Daymond John and NAACP President Derrick Johnson in this Facebook Live video starting around the 1:06:14 mark!