Madison Reporter

A nonprofit organization, the Progress Center for Black Women, has moved its headquarters to Madison Capitol Square after two years in Fitchburg. 

“We can now offer kitchen amenities at the Progress Center for Black Women (@center4blkwomen),” the group tweeted Aug. 2. “Schedule your tour to see it up close at https://bit.ly/3x6r8kk! Masks required. Kids are allowed but should also wear a mask."

The center’s mission is to "build and design an innovative center that serves as a hub of community, connections, valued experiences and opportunities for black women to transform their lives and families,” it said on its website.

It offers space for black women entrepreneurs to meet with experts to help build their businesses.

“We provide access to speakers, mentors, computer labs and other resources to assist in identifying and implementing the best solutions,” the group said.

It offers a Black Business Expo featuring more than 80 black-owned businesses selling products such as clothing, art, food and jewelry.

It also offers leadership training and a Black Women’s Leadership Conference. It is developing a lending program as well, the website said.

“The Small Dollar Lending Program is a way for women of color to get help to pay bills, get out of debt, avoid eviction and other financial emergencies,” it said. “The program removes the red tape from borrowing small amounts of money that can make a big impact on people’s lives while allowing women to keep their dignity and get ahead.”

The new location is at 30 W. Mifflin, above the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, the Cap Times reported. The founder, Sabrina Madison, rented space in the building while launching the Black Women’s Leadership Conference before she founded the Progress Center, the story said.

“It almost feels like a full circle moment,” Madison told Cap Times.

The new location will help the center partner with local businesses and is closer to current clients at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she said.