Sheletta Brundidge is being recognized for involving prominent retailers in supporting the community.
As the founder of podcasting platform and multimedia company ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, Brundidge is being honored for the way she partners with Minnesota retailers to benefit others. The Minnesota Retail Association recently named Brundidge a Minnesota Retail Champion and selected her as its 2022-2023 Vendor Partner of the Year.
“Once a year we take a moment and look around and think, who is doing some great stuff in the community and involving retailers in that? The award is designed to recognize them,” said Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association.
Nustad noted the many civic and charitable projects that Brundidge has spearheaded and brought retailers along with her. He applauded the way Brundidge transforms the sponsors who run commercials on the podcasts she produces into partners. She asks them to join her by providing volunteers, in-kind contributions, or financial help to her work serving the community.
Brundidge worked with Hy-Vee to provide Thanksgiving and Easter food baskets to families in North Minneapolis. Recently she worked with the grocery chain to distribute hundreds of free meals to residents of the Little Earth community in Minneapolis during Family Meals Month.
In collaboration with Comcast, she delivered gift baskets to hard-working healthcare professionals at Hennepin Health and the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic. And General Mills and Children’s Minnesota were on board when she traveled to Uvalde, Texas, to donate books to children there after the mass school shooting.
“When companies run their commercials on my podcast network, I want to do more than just promote their products and services. I look for ways we can get out and bless people in our community, together,” said Brundidge. “These big businesses don’t show up for us unless someone brings them in and asks for help. I can do that.”
Nustad called Brundidge as she was hosting her weekly show on WCCO Radio to congratulate her for winning the Minnesota Retail Champion award.
“You do a great job helping retailers connect with consumers and that is super important. You’re bringing retailers into underserved communities to bring an extra helping hand,” he added. “You make retailers better.”
Brundidge has also focused her advocacy on small Black-owned retailers, by sharing her knowledge with them in free workshops about strategic marketing. During Black Business Month in August, she bought digital billboards to highlight five businesses owned by Black women.
Brundidge will accept her award during the Retail Rally event on October 11 at the Mall of America in Bloomington.
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