CHESAPEAKE, Va. - “'Congratulations, you will receive a $10,000 grant for your business,'” read Kimberly Outlaw.
She initially thought the email she was reading was junk.
“I kept reading it like, ‘Is this a scam?'"
It’s not scam - it’s a gift from musician Beyoncé’s foundation, BeyGood, and the NAACP.
Outlaw is one of more than 700 people across the country to receive $10,000 towards their Black-owned small business, with the grant hoping to empower entrepreneurs who have impacted by the pandemic.
Outlaw is the owner of Sweet Cravings Bakery in Chesapeake. She makes customs cakes and desserts right out of her home kitchen.
“There’s no bells and whistles. It’s a standard oven; you can meet Donna - she bakes all your cakes,” said Outlaw.
She delivers her wholesale desserts to local restaurants.
The wholesale side of business keeps her afloat since the pandemic canceled most of her event orders.
“Big celebrations like a graduation, military retirement, where many people would attend,” she adds.
As for many, 2020 was a tough year for outlaw.
“That grant kind of lifted my spirit. I just lost my grandma recently, and it was a huge loss for me,” said Outlaw.
Grandma Marjorie introduced her to baking.
“Over the summers, we were in the kitchen making cakes and pies, and I couldn’t wait to lick the beaters in the end. So, that’s where we made some of our dearest memories.”
Right now, all of Outlaw’s dessert deliveries are done out of her personal car, but she’s hoping with this grant money she will be able to get a bigger set of wheels and start going into the community.
“I would love to introduce Sweet Cravings Bakery on Wheels. [I'm] definitely looking at a food truck situation or trailer,” she adds.
Outlaw says Beyoncé is not just a superstar; she’s also a blessing.
“Thank you for reaching back and helping people that are out here trying to support our families. This is a tough time during COVID,” she adds.
A reminder for everyone to “BeyGood” to people.
