In our continuing goal of highlighting BlackSci-Fi and contributions by creators of color across the various creative spectrums, we here at BlackSci-Fi.com are going to highlight some awesome Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, and GoFund Me campaigns you might want to donate to. Check out the below campaign, and spread the word.

For this week we’re going to switch things up a bit. Philadelphia based Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse is in the running for the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. A contest geared towards raising funds for small businesses, as explained on the contest website, “help your favorite business get noticed by voting for it in the 2018 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest! You can vote once per person per 24-hour period now through April 4 — your vote could change the future of a small business for the better!”

Check out more information about Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse’s submission for the grant below.

Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse

From the campaign website:

Elevator Pitch

Amalgam is a comic book store/coffee shop hybrid and community geek space! We focus on representation and inclusion in comics and beyond.

Tell us about your business. What inspired you to get into it, what you sell/service you offer, what makes your business stand out and how it impacts you, your community or the environment.

Amalgam is a comic book store and coffee shop located in Philadelphia. I opened Amalgam because I was passionate about helping to change the current landscape of comics. As a “black girl nerd’ I was always aware that there were very few people that looked like me in the pages of comics, and I saw opening my shop as a way to help showcase and promote different voices and perspectives in the world of comics. The store also hosts regular events and serves as a gathering space for our community.

How would you use the FedEx Small Business Grant money to make a significant impact on your business?

The FedEx Small Business Grant would allow us to respond to customer demands of expanding our menu to include sandwiches and salads, making us a “lunch spot” and increasing our daily sales. The money would be used to make the necessary upgrades to our kitchen, purchase plates, flatware, a panini press and island workstation. We would also use the funds to expand our merchandise offerings, including adding more manga, games, instructional drawing books, and independent titles to our shelves.