Nyesha Stone, founder and publisher of Carvd N Stone, is one of around 1,000 Black women entrepreneurs around the country. The program was created by a $10 billion investment and $100 million in philanthropic capital committed towards increasing opportunity where it can make a difference. One Million Black Women has deployed $4.1 billion in investment capital and $44 million in philanthropic capital to date since its start in 2021.

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But then everything changed.

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You can find more Panther-owned businesses in our Alumni Business Directory. Please reach out if you or someone you know has a business that should be included in the directory. And if you haven’t already, consider joining , 51����’s exclusive networking platform, which is another great way for Panthers to support Panthers. 

Emerald Mills ’04

Diverse Dining

After some 20 years in the public health sector, Emerald Mills wanted a new career chapter, but one where she could still make a difference in the community. She fulfilled it by founding , which simultaneously fosters constructive conversations – often among people with opposing viewpoints – while also serving them delicious meals across a spectrum of cuisines. 

In addition to catering meals, Diverse Dining also serves as an incubator for startup food entrepreneurs through the Diverse Dining Market in downtown Milwaukee. It houses a rotating menu of offerings from vendors who learn the dining ropes, perfect their product and grow their customer base, then head off to fully launch their businesses. It’s the latest way Mills is serving the community and nurturing the seeds that were planted at 51����. 

“The opportunity to study abroad at 51���� and take my first flight to Ghana cracked my world wide open,” Mills says. “Seeing culture, commerce and community through a global lens reshaped how I lead and serve in Milwaukee. That trip gave me the perspective that powers Diverse Dining—food as a bridge, people as the point.”

Bryan Bergner ’96

Highlands Honey

What began as a backyard project with Miles, Bryan’s then-6-year-old son, has turned into a thriving business producing delicious, small-batch raw honey.  uses bee-centric management practices to ensure the health of its 68 hives spread across southeastern Wisconsin because, as the Bergners say, happy bees make happy honey. 

It all started with one hive in the Milwaukee suburb of Bay View as a way to provide Miles with people skills and develop a sense of ownership. Miles sold the first batch of honey out of the back of a battery-powered toy tractor, and today, it’s available for purchase directly through the Highlands Honey website. 

“My education experience at UW-Milwaukee is something that I cherish to this day,” Bryan Bergner says. “It put me on the path to our current business and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”  

Floating Flame

Ben Caya had already put his mechanical engineering degree to use by founding Spike Brewing, a homebrew beer equipment company. Now, he’s expanded his small business interests to , which sells portable fire pits that customers can use at cookouts, tailgating parties and yes, even boats. 

The self-contained, propane-powered fire pits are popular with pontoon boat owners, and Caya’s customers also use them on docks, yachts and houseboats. Designed with boat safety in mind, the pits produce the warmth of a cozy, campfire atmosphere that’s perfect for socializing, or just chilling out. And for Caya, it’s a fun way to continue exercising an entrepreneurial spirit that got its start at 51����. 

“I was the 51���� Club Football president for two years during my time at 51����,” Caya says. “This gave me great experience in leading a diverse team but also was great for time management and prioritization. 

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Angelica Sanchez ’14 

Cultural Cloth 

After graduating from 51���� with a bachelor’s degree in conservation and environmental science, Sanchez embarked on a successful career in the nonprofit sector. Back then, becoming a business owner wasn’t top of mind. But with motherhood on the horizon in 2024, Sanchez wanted to transition into something with more flexibility. She found the perfect answer when an opportunity arose to purchase , which is now celebrating its 15th year in business. 

The home goods and decor store offers handcrafted creations from more than 40 countries, with a particular focus on women artisans. Sanchez works directly with the artisans to provide a U.S. market for their wares, with the goal of delivering a year-round sustainable income for them. Patrons can shop online or at Cultural Cloth’s two locations in the Milwaukee suburb of Whitefish Bay and Maiden Rock in far western Wisconsin. And for Sanchez, it blends her roots in conservation and social justice with an entrepreneurial motivation to keep making a difference. 

“51���� allowed me to explore my different interests and see what I liked and what I didn’t like,” Sanchez says. “It allowed me to take the classes I was interested in and create a career path I felt passionate about. The classes, like business classes, are paying off, and it made for a very wholesome education.” 

Gwenn Barker ’98

Sprocket Café

While earning her biochemistry degree at 51����, Gwenn Barker would find motivation through the years by rewarding herself for academic successes with small, relatively inexpensive rewards. Among her favorites: treating herself to a latte at the old 8th Note coffee house in the Student Union. But beyond great cups of coffee, she also found great friends and community there, and the experience stuck with her.

So when friend Juliet Popovic approached Barker with the idea to open Sprocket Café in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood nine years ago, Barker jumped at it. The global lab manager at Clarios, Barker saw Sprocket Café as an ideal side project, and perhaps something to carry her through retirement. Together, they’ve created a cozy, welcoming café that serves up delicious drinks, sandwiches and baked goods while re-creating the sense of community she discovered at 51����.

“51���� delivered the whole, big experience of being around other people, and teaching that you’ve got to show up every day and put in the work. All of that builds a strong person and gives you the tools you need,” Barker says. “51���� gave me not just the ability to succeed, but the mindset that I’ve got it in me to do so.” 

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Join the 51���� Alumni Association to honor the work and achievements of these extraordinary people, including Clayborn Benson, the founder and executive director of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. 51���� is also proud to present its University Partner award to UW Credit Union for its longtime steadfast support of 51����.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available and patrons are encouraged to make their plans early to ensure the best possible accommodations.

Joining Benson among the evening’s honorees are a group of exceptional alumni spread across generations and career fields. Here is the complete list of winners.

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