1st in the Nation!

Milele Chikasa Anana dedicated her life to championing positive Black news, building community, and helping young people realize their potential. Inspired by the excellence of the local cuisine and believing in the power of Black-owned businesses, she created the first Madison Black Restaurant Week in 2015—making it the first of its kind in the country.

Her legacy lives on through this annual celebration, which continues to uplift Black entrepreneurs, chefs, and restaurateurs throughout Madison and beyond.

Camille Carter and Milele Chikasa Anana are credited with starting Black Restaurant Week in Madison, Wisconsin in 2016. Anana was a champion of restaurants and wanted to celebrate the culinary arts. The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce organizes the week-long event.

“Ms. Milele’s life’s work was to empower Black businesses and creating Black Restaurant Week was something she was very proud of,” Madison Black Chamber President Camille Carter says. “The same characteristics she displayed, including passion, dedication and integrity, I see in our local black restaurants.”

Held during August which is also Black Business Month, Madison Black Restaurant Week aims to amplify and celebrate the vital contributions of Black entrepreneurs, chefs, and restaurateurs to our vibrant local culinary scene. This week-long celebration provides an opportunity for the community to come together, show support, and explore a wide variety of authentic, mouth watering cuisines crafted with passion and dedication.