VH1 ‘Black Ink Crew’

The TV Network Awards Grant Money To Black Owned Businesses

In advance of the next season of their hit reality TV show Black Ink Crew, VH1 wanted to celebrate the newly reopened tattoo studio, and show support for other black-owned businesses in Brooklyn. 

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted issues and inequalities that have long been present, and had an enormous impact on Black-owned SMBs.  VH1 and RapportWW collaborated with Black-Owned Brooklyn, a community-rooted publication, to highlight 20 Black-owned businesses across the borough as they braved the pandemic and its consequences.

VH1 and Black-Owned Brooklyn awarded each business a $5,500. grant, which PMD coordinated and administered. A WindowPoster™ Display was also installed in the participating storefronts. Black-Owned Brooklyn interviewed the grantees, providing a platform and allowing a chance to reflect on what they went through during the pandemic.  These small businesses ranged from restaurants in Crown Heights to spin studios in BedStuy.