FirstBank, a large privately held bank, concluded the second annual FirstBank Empowerment Awards in partnership with the Phoenix Suns.

The season-long initiative aimed to strengthen marginalized communities by providing $30,000 in financial grants and marketing support to minority-owned businesses across the Valley.

The 2024 Empowerment Awards winners included: 

• Los Suns Small Business MVP Award: Notambox 
• Business of Pride Award: Phoenix Coqui 
• Black Excellence Award: Big Red's Hot Sauce 
• ORIGINATIV Entrepreneur Award: Native Art Market 
• EntrepreneuHER Award: Samurai Comics 
• AAPI Business Award: Hannah Cho Beauty 

Notambox, Phoenix Coqui, Big Red's Hot Sauce, Hannah Cho Beauty and Samurai Comics are all Phoenix based small businesses. Samurai Comics also has stores at 6808 N Dysart Road, Suite 148, Glendale, and 2639 E. Broadway Road, Mesa.

Native Art Market is based in Scottsdale.

“We’re proud to celebrate these honorees' achievements and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable business environment across the Valley,” stated Humphrey Shin, FirstBank Phoenix market president, in a press release. 

During the 2023-24 season, FirstBank and the Suns invited small business owners in Arizona to apply for the opportunity to receive a $5,000 grant courtesy of FirstBank. Those six recipients received on-court recognition during a Suns game.