Grantee Stories — Beyond Open CLT

Beyond Open Grantees

To help drive economic mobility in Mecklenburg County, the Beyond Open small business grant program has awarded a combined total of more than $16.3 million in direct grants to more than 400 diverse-owned small businesses and select nonprofit organizations, exceeding our original commitment of $15M across three rounds.

Hear from a few grantees below.

FASTSIGNS Independence

Meet Yazan AlHakim, owner of FASTSIGNS Independence.
DiverseCity Services

Meet Stephane Joyner, the passionate owner of DiverseCity Services.
Thoughtful Baking Co.

Meet Mary Jane Wilson, the owner and heart and soul behind the business, Thoughtful Baking Co.
Hard Grinderz

Meet Howard Glover, the visionary founder and owner of Hard Grinderz.
GohJo Studios

Meet Andy Goh, the founder of GohJo Studios.
Optional Solutions

Meet Dr. Tammy Foster-Knight, President and CEO of Optional Solutions.
My Little Helper & Co.

My Little Helper & Co provides reliable, safe, and comfortable non-emergency medical and non-medical transportation services.
Le’s Bahn Mi Sandwiches and Cafe

Le's Sandwiches and Cafe’ is Charlotte's first authentic Bahn Mi restaurant in Charlotte.
Top Tiger Team Boxing

Meet Andre De Souza, owner of Top Tiger Team Boxing.
Chic Salon & Spa

Meet Yessica Aguirre, co-owner of Chic Salon & Spa.
Ocean Transportation

Meet Shakeithia Brice, owner of Ocean Transportation Inc.
Junior Designs

Meet Junior Gomez, the owner of Junior Designs.
Agua Source

Meet Agua Source Owner Julio Barrigua, and team member Fabia Suster.
Delectables by Holly

Meet Holly McLelland, owner of Delectables by Holly.
Paragon Construction

Meet Christopher Nguyen, co-owner of Paragon Construction.
Central Market

Meet Dal and Priyanka Rai, owners of Central Market.
180º Productions

Meet Tony and Nikki Rushing, owners of 180º Productions.
Chicken Box Cafe

Meet Erica Williams, co-owner of Chicken Box Café, Charlotte’s original soul food cafe.
Kevin Pak

Meet Kevin Pak, Round 1 grantee and owner of FM Auto Service.
Anita Scott

Meet Anita Scott, Round 1 grantee and owner of Zamariya Spa of Africa.
Corri Smith

Meet Corri Smith, Round 1 grantee and owner of Black Wednesday.
Junior Bernard

Meet Junior Bernard, Round 1 grantee and founder of Pranzel.
Michelle Ashley

Meet Michelle Ashley, Round 1 grantee, and owner of Buzz City Bar & Grill.
Kathryn Godwin

Meet Kathryn Godwin, Round 1 grantee and owner of Studio Cultivate.
Edward Cesar Bravo

Meet Edward Cesar Bravo, Round 1 grantee and owner of E&E Bravo Countertops
Lisa Tweardy

Meet Lisa Tweardy, Round 1 grantee and CEO of MIGN INC.
Teneisha Smith

Meet Teneisha Smith, Round 1 grantee and owner of Smitteez Cutz Barber Shop.
Anthony Smith

Meet Anthony Smith, Round 1 Grantee, also known as DJ That Guy Smitty
Tony Pham

Meet Tony Pham, owner of Saigon Night Restaurant Karaoke Bar.