Since 1992, the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District No. 8 has overseen more than $400 million in new developments. Serving the community from the Ameritech King Commerce Center on 2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, the BID’s mission is to improve the district by fostering a culture that enjoys a trendy and authentic retail experience while attracting businesses who embrace the commitment to hard work and strong character the area was founded on. This is achieved through a collaborative effort of BID members, organization partners, and the residential community. Serving as the King Drive BID’s associate director from 2016 through 2018, Raynetta "Ray" Hill was named the new executive director of the organization in 2021, with goals of advancing ongoing efforts to attract more housing development and supporting the active street’s businesses. Hill brings a lot of experience to the BID. She previously served as director of funding and community engagement for CommonBond Communities. There, Hill helped support the rehab of properties in Milwaukee. Serving as a board member of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, Hill was contributory in the development of the Milwaukee Bronzeville Histories project. The BID supports Bronzeville Week, hosted by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs. This is an 8-day celebration surrounding the culture, entertainment, and arts of the historic Bronzeville district. The BID promotes the Bronzeville ArtWalk, the finale of Bronzeville Week. Centered around various forms of art, this event provides outlets to view live displays, and patronize both artists, and the hosting businesses. They offer a self-guided tour utilizing traditional style trolley rides for easy navigation to locations within the Historic King Drive neighborhood.

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While not located geographically in the old or new Bronzeville neighborhoods, the Sherman Phoenix mirrors the energy of the Bronzeville business district equally. The collective of businesses at 3536 N. Fond Du Lac Ave in Milwaukee came into existence after a community was rocked by violence following a fatal police shooting that claimed the life of an unarmed African American man. The community expressed a need for safe, welcoming spaces for people in the Sherman Park neighborhood, and out of this, an entrepreneurial hub was born. The Sherman Phoenix functioned through three objectives: transforming a vacant property, supporting locally owned businesses, and building wealth in the community. With a mission to improve small business success and provide economic empowerment to the community, the Sherman Phoenix transformed a fire-damaged BMO Harris Bank building located at the eastern gateway to the Sherman Park neighborhood into high-quality space for small businesses-of-color. The structure houses 27 small businesses that provide a variety of food, wellness services, and cultural activities. Shindig Coffee owners Maanaan and Joanne Sabir were a driving force behind the development of the facility. Prior to its opening, they discussed the meaning behind developing the collective, and the complexities of acquiring funding to make a successful launch. See them discuss this with Andrea Williams on Our Issues Milwaukee by clicking this link. A colorful mural created by Detroit artist Sydney James greets visitors of the Sherman Phoenix, setting an aesthetic for art appreciation. Housing the popular Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, Owner Trueman McGee describes his journey to join the collaborative here in a TMJ4 interview. With a successful launch in 2019, the Sherman Phoenix has become a hub not only for the Sherman Park neighborhood, but for the entire Milwaukee community.

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In 2022, the Pepperpot restaurant opened its doors in the Bronzeville community. The restaurant serves authentic Jamaican food and drinks amongst additional items on their menu.  Originally located on 41st and Capitol, the Bronzeville location of 2215 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. is a much larger space, allowing in-person service from their dining room, bar, or lounge, along with the traditional carryout utilized in the prior location. Pepperpot has always maintained a sizeable clientele, and the larger building allows the business the space to accommodate the high-volume activity the restaurant is known for.  Inside of the restaurant patrons are greeted with authentic artwork that represents multiple generations. To see an explanation from owner and head chef Dwight Jackson about the artwork in the building click here. Pepperpot received support from Bader Philanthropies, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the Commercial Corridor Team of the Milwaukee Department of City Development to ensure a successful transition into the Bronzeville community.

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Located in the core of historic Bronzeville at 1739 N Doctor M.L.K Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53212, proudly states being Wisconsin’s first and only Black and Brown owned plant shop. The organization strives to make the experience of discovering the perfect plant accessible to everyone. Nestled in a prime location to accomplish the goal of diversity, Maranta Plant Shop creates a welcoming environment for patrons to browse their shelves that feature a variety of plants. They also have a special plant treatment called “Maranta Plant Care,” which they guarantee is 100% organic. This solution is designed to protect your plants from disease, promote growth & vigor, and aid in hard water spots while giving a glossy finish to your plants. While the Covid-19 pandemic altered the impact of customer/store relations, the plant shop has remained resilient through the transition back to in-person transactions. As a service to other organizations, Maranta shares their physical space with a variety of vendors on Saturdays. See an embedded video of the owners explaining the journey of putting down roots in Milwaukee's Bronzeville neighborhood here.

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Opening in 1995, Gee’s Clippers is one of the largest black owned barbershops in the Midwest. Owner Gaulien “Gee” Smith moved the barbershop from a Sherman Blvd. and Fond du Lac Ave. location to the historic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville community in 2017. Renovating a former bank, Gee’s Clippers has a home team sports related theme with actual memorabilia and artifacts from arenas within the city. See the history behind the buildings structure in Bronzeville by clicking the link. The barbershop provides more than haircuts to the community. Gee’s Clippers website proudly states they are the first barbershop in the country to charter a Boy Scout troop. In honor of former Bucks player Junior Bridgeman, the group was named Gee’s Clippers Boy Scout Troop 2. The barbershop also has a support service designed to benefit the community called Gee’s MKE Wellness Clinic. The clinic provides employment and housing services, assists with food insecurities, aides in continued education and GED completion, along with providing a variety of health screenings for participants. People of all backgrounds can enjoy the experience of Gee’s Clippers in Bronzeville.

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