Meet the 2024 Level Up Finalists!
Poppa’s Custard Company
Christen Johnson is the Co-Founder of Poppa’s Custard Company bringing her 15 years of stakeholder engagement experience from the education world to the marketing and relationship management of the business. Outside of Poppa’s she continues her passion for supporting Philly youth as a non-profit executive and mom to her three children.
Poppa’s Custard Company is a Black-, majority women-, family-owned business in Philadelphia producing premium restaurant-quality chilled dessert custards in both traditional dairy and vegan formats. The company was founded in 2020 by spouses Christen & Joshua Johnson and their sister, Chef Jewel Johnson as a way to reconnect during the COVID pandemic. The company has continued to enjoy steady growth since its founding and is now featured in 20+ retail locations and growing.
B.A.M. Electrical Contracting
Melissa Blair is the Owner/Operator of B.A.M. Electrical Contracting which is a Union SBE/MWBE/DBE Electrical firm that serves the Commercial and Industrial sectors in NJ/PA areas. Since it’s inception in 2018 our mission has been to break industry barriers one job at a time.
B.A.M. Electrical is a distinguished MWBE (Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise) serving PA and NJ with its headquarters based in Pennsauken, NJ. We specialize in a comprehensive range of electrical services, from meticulous low voltage work, including fire alarms and security systems, to the complexity of high voltage switchgear and generator installations. With a reputation for excellence and an unwavering commitment to safety and reliability, our team stands ready to address the electrical needs of our clients with precision and expertise.
Win Win Coffee
Nikisha Bailey is a community-driven entrepreneur, educator, and philanthropist with a lifelong commitment to impact and change. She is the CEO and co-founder of Win Win Coffee, Philadelphia’s first black woman led coffee roaster and distributor. Win Win Coffee travels to the edge of the world to bring you delicious coffees from across the African diaspora. Backed by cutting edge supply chain technology, we guarantee impeccable quality, transparency, and most important equity for all involved from seed to cup.
Win Win Coffee is Philadelphia’s first black woman led coffee roaster and distributor. We travel to the edge of the world to bring you delicious coffees from across the African diaspora. Backed by cutting edge supply chain technology, we guarantee impeccable quality, transparency, and most important equity for all involved from seed to cup.
N'ụlọ Adaez
Nnennia Chikaodili Esther Mazagwu is the founder and Creative Director at N’ụlọ Adaeze, a sustainable furniture brand redefining rest and what it means to feel meaningfully restored by the furniture we use in everyday life.
N’ụlọ Adaeze is an experimental furniture manufacturing company. They offer furniture and home goods to their customers, and prioritize sustainability, harmony, and peace. These are aesthetic, ecological, and kinship-oriented goals.
NaturallyNeat Cleaning Services, LLC
Rafyah Lumb is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the owner of NaturallyNeat Cleaning Services. Ms. Lumb developed the vision for NaturallyNeat during her years working in the healthcare field where she gained an understanding of the relationship between cleanliness and overall health. Rafyah also observed how adversely some of the chemical cleaning agents affected residents and staff over time. Her solution; provide a cleaning service utilizing only the most effective natural cleaning agents. Ms. Lumb’s vision became a reality and now she serves scores of satisfied customers.
Rafyah has studied Culinary Arts at the Restaurant School of Walnut Hill College and has traveled extensively abroad to expand her knowledge and palette.
Rafyah’s vision has continued to grow as NaturallyNeat grows. She has parlayed her training as a chef into providing catering and concierge services to intimate and small gatherings.
NaturallyNeat’s provides holistic cleanliness in residential and commercial properties and promotes healthy homes and the bodies. We also aim to increase access to capital and resources for diverse businesses, as well as advocate for cleaner communities. NaturallyNeat’s signature scents include Lemongrass Sage, Sweet Orange Thyme, Lemongrass Lavender essential oils and scents, which all have antifungal properties, antioxidants, and other factors that aid in detoxifying and strengthening a person’s body.