Madison Black Chamber of Commerce

10/23/2026

Worth the wait - and full of heart! 💜✂️

About 80 family members, friends, and supporters joined us on October 16 to celebrate Melly Mell’s Soul Food’s grand opening at the Madison Public Market!

For Carmell “Melly Mell” Jackson, this milestone carries generations of meaning. The restaurant was her father’s vision. He looked down on us in spirit as her mother bore witness to the Grand Opening.

Her children and grandchildren reflected on what they’ve learned through their involvement in the business, and her husband was right at her side, as he has been throughout Carmell’s success story.

From cooking and running a business to building intergenerational wealth, Carmell’s lessons are helping her family, and so many entrepreneurs in the Greater Madison community, imagine and create their own futures.

A longtime mentor, community advocate, and multiple-time Madison Black Restaurant Week Community Favorite Caterer winner, Carmell has spent years helping others grow. The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate this next chapter alongside her.

Congratulations, Carmell and family! 🎉

Now let’s keep showing up! Bring your people, bring your appetite, and support Melly Mell’s at the Madison Public Market.

📍 202 N. First Street, Madison
🌐 https://www.mellymells.com/

10/22/2026

🏆 From cooking for friends to becoming a Community Favorite!

Congratulations to Mary Assah and Marys Kitchen - voted the 2026 Madison Black Restaurant Week Favorite Caterer during Mary’s very first year participating in the campaign!

Mary brings the flavors and traditions of Ghana to Greater Madison through jollof rice, African fried rice, grilled tilapia, fried and grilled chicken, banku, fufu, okra soup, and more.

And when it comes to the great jollof debate, Mary has made her position clear - “The best jollof rice comes from Ghana.”

Meet Mary, explore the story behind Marys Kitchen and discover how Madison Black Restaurant Week helps connect food entrepreneurs with new customers and the wider community.

👉 Read the complete winner spotlight: https://mailchi.mp/madisonblackchamber.com/newsletter20261022

Congratulations, Marys Kitchen - 2026 Favorite Caterer!

10/22/2026

BIG CONNECTIONS START HERE!

Mark your calendar for the highly anticipated 2026 Joint Networking Event!

Join the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce and fellow regional business organizations for an evening celebrating diverse perspectives, new connections, and opportunities for collaboration.

Casino Games | 🍽️ Appetizers | Cash Bar | Networking

Wednesday, November 18
4:30–7:30 PM
Barnwood Events, 3230 Larsen Rd., Madison

✅ FREE for members. Registration required!

🔗 REGISTER TODAY: https://business.fitchburgchamber.com/events/details/we-re-better-together-joint-networking-10749?calendarMonth=2026-11-01

Celebrate diverse perspectives and how they lead to better solutions. Join us for our annual highly anticipated Joint Networking event Sponsored by Madison Gas Electric and Summit Credit Union. This year we will be welcoming Madison Black Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce, Hm...

10/20/2026

Discover valuable community resources, connect with local organizations, and explore opportunities for you and your family!

Thursday, October 29, 2026
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Black Business Hub | South Madison
FREE Admission!

What to Expect:

Community programs and resources

Local organizations and services

Networking opportunities and giveaways

✅ DON'T MISS OUT! REGISTER FOR FREE TODAY!

Take advantage of this opportunity to discover resources, make connections, and learn what's available in your community.

👉 Save your spot now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resource-fair-at-the-hub-tickets-2003479335625

Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome!

📣 Help us spread the word! Tag a friend, invite a neighbor, and share this event with someone who could benefit. Let's get South Madison connected!

10/16/2026

🎉 MADISON, TODAY'S THE DAY! 🎉

Melly Mell's Soul Food Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting is TODAY at 5 PM!

📅 TODAY, October 16 | 5 PM
📍 Madison Public Market
202 N. First Street, Madison

COME HUNGRY! Enjoy FREE mini-Soul Bowls featuring Melly Mell's favorites: mac & cheese, yams, cabbage, cornbread, and optional chicken! While supplies last.

After 15+ years of serving Madison, Carmell “Melly Mell” Jackson deserves a BIG community celebration!

MADISON, WE NEED YOU THERE! Let's fill the Market, bring the energy, and give Melly Mell the incredible turnout she deserves!

Tag your friends, spread the word, and SHOW UP at 5 PM! Let's PACK THE HOUSE! 🎉

10/14/2026

MADISON! IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!

After YEARS of anticipation, our beloved Melly Mell's Soul Food is opening at the Madison Public Market - and we're celebrating with a GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING this Friday, October 16 at 5PM!

For more than 15 years, Carmell “Melly Mell” Jackson has been feeding Madison's body and soul. A multiple-time Madison Black Restaurant Week Community Favorite Caterer winner, Carmell has also been a mentor and champion for fellow food entrepreneurs, generously sharing her knowledge to help others succeed.

As one of the earliest entrepreneurs to commit to the Madison Public Market, Carmell participated in the MarketReady program, preparing for this milestone years in the making.

NOW IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

📅 This Friday, October 16 | 5 PM
📍 Madison Public Market
202 N. First Street, Madison, 53704

Let's show up for Melly Mell the way she's shown up for Madison all these years!

Bring your people and come hungry. Melly Mell's will be serving FREE mini Soul Bowls at Friday's Grand Opening - get a taste of Melly Mell's soul food favorites: mac & cheese, yams, cabbage, and cornbread, with or without chicken - while supplies last!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1116645690779725/

10/12/2026

“You don’t let nobody slow you down. Don’t let nobody change your dream. Baby Girl - if you want to do it, you do it!”

Those words from her mother stayed with Nisa Carter.

In April 2020, Nisa turned that encouragement into action. Her husband and nephew traveled to Houston to bring home a horse trailer, her family transformed it into a food truck, and she named the business Sista’s Chicken & Fish in honor of her mother and her mother’s two sisters.
Watch Nisa share the powerful story behind the 2026 Madison Black Restaurant Week Favorite Food Truck.

Then read her complete winner spotlight here:
👉 https://mailchi.mp/madisonblackchamber.com/newsletter20261008

Congratulations, ! 🏆👩🏾‍🍳🍽💗

10/09/2026

🏆 From a food truck launched with faith, family and determination to a new brick-and-mortar restaurant, Sista’s Chicken & Fish has built a story South Madison is PROUD to celebrate.

Congratulations to Nisa Carter and Sista’s Chicken & Fish - voted the 2026 Madison Black Restaurant Week Favorite Food Truck!

“My food truck is my baby. It’s the heart and soul of me, my family, this restaurant - everything.”

Nisa launched the Sista’s food truck in April 2020, naming the business in honor of her mother and her mother’s two sisters. With strong community support, Sista’s grew from its food-truck roots into a South Madison restaurant in 2026.

In this week’s Community Favorites spotlight, meet Nisa, explore the family legacy behind Sista’s, and learn how the Madison Black Chamber supported her journey from selling $10 catfish meals from her garage to building a full-scale business.

👉 Read the full winner spotlight: https://mailchi.mp/madisonblackchamber.com/newsletter20261008
📍 1129 S. Park Street, Madison
📞 (608) 209-0086

Congratulations, ! 👩🏾‍🍳🍽💗

09/25/2026

🏆 Two years in a row - and the community’s love for keeps growing!

For Head Chef Nicollette Beckford, being named the Madison Black Restaurant Week Favorite Restaurant in both 2025 and 2026 is about more than great food. It reflects the relationships FYA SYDE KITCHEN has built with the people it serves.

“They can taste the love that we put in the food and all the greatness that comes with it.”

Watch Nicollette share what this back-to-back honor means to her - and how every visit, vote, post, recommendation and new customer has helped FYA SYDE grow.

🔗 Meet Nicollette and read the complete winner spotlight through the link in our comments.

Congratulations, FYA SYDE KITCHEN - 2026 Favorite Restaurant! 👩🏾‍🍳🍽💗

09/24/2026

🏆 Two years in a row - and the community’s love for keeps growing!

Head Chef Nicollette Beckford says being named the 2026 Madison Black Restaurant Week Favorite Restaurant shows that FYA SYDE KITCHEN is building both a reputation for great food and meaningful relationships with the people it serves.

“They can taste the love that we put in the food and all the greatness that comes with it.”

Nicollette credits the customers who keep visiting, sharing, posting, and introducing others to FYA SYDE KITCHEN, as well as the Madison Black Chamber community that has helped amplify the restaurant’s story.

Meet Nicollette, discover how FYA SYDE KITCHEN grew from cooking for family and friends to operating a food truck and, ultimately, opening a Madison restaurant. Read what this back-to-back honor means to her:

👉 Read Nicolette’s Story-https://bit.ly/26MBRWFAV-FYASYDE

Congratulations, FYA SYDE KITCHEN - 2026 Favorite Restaurant! 👩🏾‍🍳🍽💗