Two dozen Black-owned small businesses in Broward and Miami-Dade counties have been selected among the first round of Comcast RISE award recipients, to help thousands impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the next three years.

The 24 South Florida recipients are among 37 in Florida and more than 700 first-round recipients from around the country that will receive consulting, media and creative production services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, or technology upgrades from Comcast Business, based on their specific needs.

In addition, applications are now being accepted for the second phase of Comcast RISE. Eligibility has expanded to include Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned, small businesses, including Hispanic-owned small businesses. They can apply at comcastrise.com.

COOL Creative’s clothing store in Little Haiti in Miami opened Nov. 28.

“This year has been a challenge. We literally could not create anything new, because we couldn’t get our suppliers to make it. This has drastically slowed down the opening of our store, COOL Creative, which was slated to open in the spring,” said Johanne Pradel Wilson of Hollywood.

“We’re thankful that we now have the opportunity to promote the store through TV advertising from Effectv, so we can let people know that COOL Creative is here and open for business.”

The other South Florida recipients include:

BROWARD COUNTY

• Blow Café, a hair salon in Pembroke Pines, will receive a technology makeover

• Chancellor Institute, a nursing school in Margate, will receive a technology makeover

• Chevalier Real Estate in Pompano Beach will receive media and advertising services

• DRT Behavioral Services, a mental health services company in Fort Lauderdale, will receive creative production services

• Fashion Project Soflo, a fashion art and design after school program for kids in Davie, will receive a technology makeover

• Fortlo, an educational products and training company in Miramar, will receive a technology makeover

• Green Glades Inc., a property restoration company in Fort Lauderdale, will receive a technology makeover

• Harris Art Studio in Hollywood will receive a technology makeover

• Her Power Space, a boutique coworking space and meetings venue in Lauderhill, will receive a technology makeover

• Just Move Therapy, a physical therapy and wellness services company in Hollywood, will receive a technology makeover

• Laspainc, a business consulting company in Pompano Beach, will receive media & advertising services

• MD Simmons Productions, a creative services and production company in Pembroke Pines, will receive a technology makeover

• Student Loans Consolidated, a financial services company in Hollywood, will receive media and advertising services

• Sweetie’s Italian Ice in Fort Lauderdale will receive a technology makeover

• Xartek Real Estate & Property Management in Miramar will receive media & advertising services 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

• Athletics Sports and Performance, a health and fitness and personal training company in Miami, will receive a technology makeover

• Basketized Boutique, a boutique and gift basket company in Palmetto Bay, will receive a technology makeover

• Durandis Group, a concierge services company in Miami, will receive media and advertising services

• Global Speech and Rehab Services, a speech therapy company for children with special needs in Miami, will receive a technology makeover

• Jali Creatives, a marketing agency in Miami, will receive a technology makeover

• Mi Beauty Bar, a hair salon in Miami, will receive media & advertising services

• Solar Savior, a solar energy company in Miami, will receive creative production services

• WeCleanGarages.com in Miami will receive media and advertising services The first phase of Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,” focused on U.S. Black-owned, small businesses, those hit hardest by the pandemic according to a recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The program brings together two of the company’s brands – Comcast Business and Effectv, both with expertise in the small business space – to empower business owners with the expertise and resources needed to navigate the economic effects of the pandemic.

The program consists of the following main components:

• A media and technology resources program combines Effectv’s media platform and marketing expertise, its creative agency, Mnemonic, and stateof-the-art technical support to help small businesses foster and elevate growth. Recipients will receive help with their marketing, media campaigns and creation of 30-second commercials, as well as equipment and technology upgrades, including:

• Business resources to help with curated content: Comcast has launched the Comcast RISE destination complete with aggregated small business news, tips.