Resource Page

Over the past year systemic racism has been brought to the forefront of our country. There is much that can be done to address the racial inequities in our city and region. As business leaders we should recognize the opportunities that cultural diversity brings to Middleton and the surrounding region. Racism is a difficult and complex topic. Change will take focus, dedication, and commitment from businesses, residents, and community leaders.

I have had conversations with several leaders in the Black and minority communities over the past few weeks. These discussions helped me realize that providing a few one-hour sessions about how to address systemic racism or how to create a culture of inclusion will not be enough. This approach would not provide our members and partners with the resources and tools to help with any long-term change.

We can, however, CONNECT. The Middleton Chamber of Commerce will facilitate CONNECTing our members with community organizations whose full-time focus and mission is to educate the community, challenge the way that we run our businesses, and provide the greatest resources to help you impact change and navigate this this complex issue.

We will provide tools and programs available to you in upcoming newsletters under the heading, “Connect for Change.” This section will showcase racial justice resources, seminars, diversity institutes, and information on how to create equitable organizations.

The Middleton Chamber of Commerce staff and Board of Directors support our business community, we support equality, and we want to help provide solutions in peaceful and constructive ways. We will continue to inspire, share, and learn from each other so that we are able to grow and contribute to our greater community.

The Middleton Chamber of Commerce looks forward to CONNECTING all of you! I think that it is fitting to share our organization’s, “Why?”

OUR WHY:  To be a connected business community that inspires, shares and learns from each other - so that we're able to grow, succeed and contribute to our greater community.

Sincerely,

Kate Miller, Executive Director

• The Center For Black Excellence and Culture - The Center is a community-wide effort to bring together a collective Black brilliance to affirm, inspire and advance the Black community in Madison and beyond.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County - A leader in youth development programs, serving more than 6500 young people across the Madison area.

• Just Dane - Originally named Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM), this nonprofit was created as a social justice, social service organization. 

• Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County - Their mission is to maximize economic development and job creation through advocacy and programs that generate success and value for our Latino and non-Latino business community.

• Madison Black Chamber of Commerce - Focused on building Black owned businesses in greater Madison for the betterment of our entire city and community.

• Urban League of Greater Madison - The mission of the Urban League of Greater Madison is to ensure that African Americans and other community members are educated, employed and empowered to live well, advance professionally and contribute to the common good in the 21st Century.

• YWCA - YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

• Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus

• Madison Area Chinese Community Organization (MACCO) was organized to promote the communication of Chinese community to other organizations around the Madison area, and to develop cultural, educational, recreational programs to enhance the quality life of the Chinese community.

• The Small or Medium-Sized Business (SMB) Guide to Success in the LGBTQ Market (2023 Research) - A guide that helps SMBs build strategies to be more LGBTQ-inclusive can be found HERE. 

• BMO for Black and Latinx Businesses - A lending program to fuel growth for Black and Latinx businesses with better access to capital, educational resources and meaningful networking opportunities. Learn More Here
• BMO for Women in Business - Fueling growth and expanding possibilities for women business owners. The comprehensive program is designed to help you make real financial progress. Learn More Here

• BMO Welcome Home Grant -  The program offers grants to eligible borrowers to help with down payment and closing costs, helping buyers in underserved communities access the credit they need and accelerate their dream of homeownership. Learn More Here

• Center For Black Excellence and Culture: For over 30 years, Rev. Dr. Alex Gee has sought meaningful Black solutions for his native city of Madison. The Center is his vision – and the community’s conduit – for challenging structures that impede diversity and sustained Black advancement. Learn more about their areas of focus by visiting their website and watching the video here.

• The Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) announced the results of their 2021 Workplace Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Survey. This is the sixth year MadREP has partnered with the UW-River Falls Survey Research Center (SRC) to administer the project. Learn More Here

Thirty-six members of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce received a score of 100 and the distinction of being named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality” on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index compiled by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Middleton Chamber member businesses receiving a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index, and who are members of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, include:  

• American Family Insurance
• Associated Bank
• AT&T
• BMO Harris Bank
• Edward Jones
• Johnson Financial Group
• Northwestern Mutual
• Robert W. Baird & Co
• TDS Telecommunications
• U.S. Bank
• UW Credit Union

Click HERE to download a PDF of this information.