PIDC Clients You Need to Know in 2023 – Black Business Owners

by PIDC
February 21, 2023

Categories: Black-Owned,

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Honoring the legacy and great contributions of Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia, this Black History Month and beyond, we’re highlighting a few of our awesome PIDC clients. We’re proud to support local, diverse businesses through funding, workshops, and other services for business growth. Check out their success stories and what they consider the most rewarding part of their jobs.

Dr. Leon D. Caldwell

Founder of Ujima Developers, LLC

Ujima Developers, LLC is a community-centered, holistic, equitable real estate development company. Established by award-winning community-based researcher, social entrepreneur and transformational leader, Dr. Leon D. Caldwell, Ujima Developers envisions developing thriving multigenerational neighborhoods sustained by real estate investments that promote economic mobility and health/wellness strategies. 

The company’s work has been featured in BisnowThe Baltimore Business JournalWHYY’s PlanPhilly and more. Thrive Village PHL, LLC is a holistic, equitable neighborhood transformation development project by Ujima Developers. A part of the Thrive Village PHL project includes acquiring and renovating a mixed-use 16,352 SF property at the intersection of 40th and W Girard in East Parkside. PIDC is supporting this project through real estate financing, including a bridge loan to bridge a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant, and an Impact Development Fund loan which provides new capital for neighborhood-based development.

The most rewarding part of Dr. Caldwell’s job:

“Living the concept to Ujima (Swahili word that translates as ‘collective work and responsibility’). Co-designing a vision with the community, gathering the resources, and then watching it all come together is extremely rewarding. Being able to integrate my academic and professional backgrounds with a passion for redesigning Black neighborhoods with existing residents into places where we all have an opportunity to thrive. Contributing a vision for neighborhood transformation that is an alternative to gentrification is very rewarding.” 

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Lisa Robinson

Founder and CEO of My Independence at Home

Founded in 2013,  My Independence at Home is a full-service home care agency that goes beyond simply placing a compassionate caregiver in a client’s home. The company also provides certified nursing assistants, home health aides, personal care attendants, prescription delivery services, personal emergency response systems, and life preparedness consultations. 

Over the years, MYIAH has received a plethora of accolades, including 2018 Minority Owned Small Business of the Year and Philly 100. The company has also been recognized by such media giants as Oprah magazineEntrepreneur magazine, the Inquirer, Philadelphia TribuneFox News, and 6 ABC News. With PIDC’s assistance, My Independence at Home was able to pay off their high interest lines of credit and plan for future growth with additional working capital.

The most rewarding part of Lisa’s job:

“For me what I do daily is not a job; this is my passion. The most rewarding aspect of what I do is providing quality service to those who are typically underserved and overlooked. In my industry, there is a misnomer that home care is only for the elderly, which is not true. In addition to the elderly, MYIAH also provides care to those ages 18+ who have a physical and/or intellectual developmental disability. Being able to employ individuals in our community, particularly those who are single mothers (adding to economic growth), is equally as rewarding.”

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Shannon Maldonado

Founder of YOWIE

YOWIE is a home and life shop focused on curating small collections from founder Shannon Maldonado’s friends, independent artists, and designers. YOWIE has been featured in numerous  media outlets, including Marie ClaireNew York Magazine,  Harper’s Bazaar,  Forbes,  Philadelphia Magazine, and Vogue. Last year, Shannon was also featured in Architectural Digest’s 10 Black Women Changing the Architecture and Design Space. 

PIDC’s Restart PHL Loan assisted YOWIE with building out a new space, purchasing inventory for the upcoming holiday season, and hiring new staff as the company grew. 

The most rewarding part of Shannon’s job:

“The most rewarding part of my job is working with and mentoring artists throughout their practice.”

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Visit our website to learn how PIDC resources can help your business grow.

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