Black-owned businesses are American businesses.
Black-owned business are Local businesses.
It’s Black History Month! At Locality, we feel that, now more than ever, there’s no better time to celebrate and shine a light on local businesses that benefit the communities they serve by way of cultural representation, empowerment, and inclusivity.
Supporting Black-owned Businesses: Our Pledge
In the Fall of 2024, Locality announced its inaugural Local Advertising Grant, in partnership with The New York City Black Chamber of Commerce (NYCBCC), created to support black-owned business across the U.S. Today, we’ve awarded a winner. We are sincerely thankful to and inspired by all the amazing, diverse businesses across the country that took the time to apply. Your entrepreneurship represented the passion needed to drive ALL our local communities forward. Keep it up!
In the spirit of inspiring dreams, we are thrilled to honor Locality and NYCBCC’s first-ever Local Advertising Grant to … MIZIZI.
MIZIZI, based in Brooklyn, NY, is a fashion brand that celebrates and showcases the diverse cultures and identities of the African diaspora, providing its community with clothing that represents their heritage with pride.
The Award Presentation to MIZIZI
Watch Keith Kazerman, president of streaming at Locality, proudly present this grant to Paakow Essandoh, founder of MIZIZI in the video below:
“As we’ve talked about, at launch,” says Kazerman, “We partnered with the New York City Black Chamber of Commerce to offer a real unique opportunity in an advertising grant aimed at empowering black-owned businesses. This grant provides access to millions of locally targeted ad impressions, a custom marketing approach, and creative support.” He continues, “We’ve seen applications from a diverse range of local businesses from across the country, each really with a unique story and their own vision for the future. These entrepreneurs represent the innovation, resilience and creativity that drive our local economies forward … And with that, today, it’s really my absolute privilege to announce the recipient of this year’s grant, MIZIZI.”
With the Local Advertising Grant honor, MIZIZI will receive:
- Millions of locally targeted ad impressions across Locality’s 150+ premium streaming video service partners
- A custom local marketing approach to meet the company’s needs
- Ad creative support using Locality’s Studios’ suite of production solutions
About MIZIZI
MIZIZI, which means “roots” in Swahili, is the official brand for the African Diaspora. Founded in 2015, MIZIZI has evolved into a movement that goes beyond sportswear; it is now a worldwide celebration of individual identity and the roots that connect us all.Our exclusive collections are always designed with our core values in mind: connection, celebration, and representation.
Shop MIZIZI here >> https://www.mizizishop.com/
Connect with MIZIZI on:
MIZIZI’s Grant Application
Check out the highlights from MIZIZI’s grant application to understand why they were awarded. Gain insights into advertising strategies for your business and get inspired to dream big:
What benefits does your business provide to the community you serve?
By promoting cultural awareness and understanding, MIZIZI fosters a sense of belonging and connection among people who may not always see their culture reflected in mainstream fashion.
Additionally, MIZIZI provides a platform for underrepresented voices in the global fashion space, encouraging cultural pride and self-expression. The brand has created a community where people can share their stories, experiences, and love for their heritage through fashion. Beyond representation, MIZIZI’s collaborations with organizations like Disney and Marvel further elevate the profile of African culture on a global stage, empowering the community through visibility and celebration.
Ultimately, MIZIZI inspires cultural confidence while building a supportive and celebratory space for people of diverse backgrounds.
How would this advertising grant benefit your business?
This advertising grant would have a significant impact on MIZIZI, helping us expand our reach to new audiences and tap into markets we’ve been eager to engage. Our brand is deeply rooted in celebrating cultural pride and diversity, and with this opportunity, we can introduce our message to those who may not yet be familiar with us but share our values.
The grant would also allow us to produce a high-quality video that will extend beyond a single use, becoming a valuable asset for future marketing efforts. Visual storytelling will be key to capturing attention and driving engagement. Receiving this support would enable us to amplify our brand’s impact, increase visibility, and continue building meaningful connections with diverse communities globally.
What primary business objective are you trying to solve with an advertising campaign and how will you measure success of its effectiveness?
Our primary business objective with this advertising campaign is to significantly boost brand awareness and introduce MIZIZI to new, culturally aligned audiences. By reaching untapped markets, we aim to position MIZIZI as the go-to brand for culturally inspired sportswear.
We’ll measure success primarily by tracking key indicators such as increased website traffic, social media engagement, and growth in sales. Additionally, we’ll monitor brand mentions and customer feedback to gauge overall sentiment and awareness. Success will ultimately be reflected in stronger brand recognition and a broader customer base.
What is your primary marketing area? For example, if you were selected for the grant, what geography would you want to advertise to? What audience would you be interested in reaching?
Our primary marketing focus is on cities and regions with dense populations of first- and second-generation immigrants from the African diaspora. If selected for the grant, we’d prioritize advertising in areas where this demographic is highly concentrated. Our top-selling cities have historically been New York, NY, Washington D.C. / Silver Spring, and St. Paul, MN, so these would be key areas for the campaign.
We aim to reach culturally connected individuals who resonate with MIZIZI’s message of heritage and identity, particularly within the African diaspora, and expand our reach within these communities.
Stay tuned to Locality.com and our LinkedIn page for updates on MIZIZI’s campaign and keep a look out for our 2nd Annual Local Advertising Grant for Black-owned businesses later this year.
About The New York City Black Chamber of Commerce (NYCBCC)
Mission Statement: To economically empower and sustain African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within New York City. The New York City Black Chamber of Commerce will provide support to small businesses to improve lines of communication for contracting and procurement opportunities. We will host events to improve opportunities for our members, as well as, develop programs and events that will positively impact communities’ development. We envision our organization to be a tool to promote stability among members. We hope to promote economic development and rebuild communities in an effort to support the vision and mission of our members. Learn more at, https://bccnyc.org/ or LinkedIn.
