Jeffery Norwood, a Madison resident for over 27 years, worked as a kitchen manager for Attic Angle and the Cherokee Country Club, ran his own food truck turned restaurant- Papa Bear Barbecue- now works as the commercial kitchen manager at the Urban League’s Black Business Hub.
When Urban League of Greater Madison CEO Dr. Ruben Anthony gave Norwood a tour of the kitchen in 2023, asking for his advice and expertise, he did not realize he would soon run it.
“Before, I really didn’t know until I started working here. You hear of the Urban League, but then when I get here, and I’m working here, and I’m seeing the amazing things they’re doing,” Norwood said, “And all the organizations that they’re working with and helping the people.”
Norwood’s day-to-day work is vast. He maintains the Hub’s commercial kitchen equipment, works with organizations to find entrepreneurs looking for a space and connects them with the proper resources and training. For increased education, engagement and support, Norwood conducts and coordinates cooking demonstrations for food entrepreneurs.
Norwood serves as a mentor for the entrepreneurs who pass through the commercial kitchen. His experience running his own business gave him the insight to help upcoming business owners learn best practices and mentor them through financial navigation.
“I just went in, took money out of my savings and invested all that money. What I tell people now, if you can team up, even get a partner or team up with a bank to get that line of credit when you do have those down times to kind of carry you on,” Norwood said.
Kitchen standard training for entrepreneurs is sponsored by Webex. The Urban League offers ServSafe certification classes to support food entrepreneurs and kitchen users. Summit Credit Union also provides education on how to best separate business and personal accounts.
In partnership with Public Health Madison and Dane County, the Urban League hosts education sessions focused on starting food-related businesses.
Working for the Urban League creates a sense of pride for Norwood. He pushes people with questions to go to the Urban League saying, ‘I might not have the right answers, but they can point you in the right direction. ’
“When I first moved here, there weren’t a lot of places for us, Black (people), to go into to thrive. When you look around all the businesses, there weren’t a lot of Black businesses,” Norwood said. “I see the change as we are evolving with the help of the Urban League and the Hub with different programs and grants, and the training that can push the Black communities in the right direction. We [now] have a voice for us.”
His long career is likely to wrap up at the Urban League. Norwood’s dreams have shifted from owning his own business to helping others do the same.
“I had my dreams. I had my business. I am fulfilled helping people and being a mentor, so right now I’m just ready to just kind of ease into retirement,” he said.
Norwood also helps plan events for the Urban League, such as the annual Unity picnic, coming up on July 25th. The event features free food, a band, music and family-friendly activities.
“It’s a good time, and it’s something we give back to the public, because it’s a free event [with] free food,” Norwood said.
Starting this summer, Saturday pop-up markets will take place every other week, Norwood said. On the day of the market, local food and retail businesses, painting and balloon art booths fill the Black Business Hub.
