The Greenville Chamber Minority Business Accelerator has accepted twenty new participants for the 2018 program.
The Minority Business Accelerator was created in 2013 by the Greenville Chamber to advance economic inclusion by equipping high-potential minority-owned, women-owned or veteran-owned businesses or businesses located in low to moderate income communities with the tools necessary for development, growth and expansion. Throughout the year-long program, participants take part in class sessions, peer-to-peer mentoring groups and self-analysis case studies.
At the end of the program, participants will have a strategically-sound growth plan and the knowledge to execute it. The internationally-recognized StreetWise MBA™ curriculum will be facilitated by Toby Stansell, Managing Director of Technology Solutions at Cherry Bekaert, LLP.
2018 Cohort:
Amy Pecoraro, PECULIAR, LLC
Charlita Atchison, Atchison Transportation Services, Inc.
Diana Stevenson, Grace Outdoor Advertising
Dionne Sandiford, A Celebration of Us!
Frank Henderson, Antioch Group, LLC
Hardy Auston, HD Auston Moving Systems
Jennifer Sutton, BRIGHT+CO
JoAnne LaBounty, Spartanburg Meat Processing Company
LaChandra Brown-Reynolds, Logan Chris Salon
Latal Zimmerman, VBW Hauling, LLC
Latoya Dixon, The Queen Photographers
Laura Corbin, Spencer Pest Services
Marina Ponton-Arena, Greenville Natural Health, Inc.
Martha Evans, Southside Urban Revitalization and Economic Development Corporation
Nancy Davis, Down to Earth of the Upstate, Inc.
Nichelle Harris, The MAP Agency
Srikanth Kodeboyina, Blue Eyes Soft Corp.
Tina Stevens, Secondary Solutions
Tracie Blue, Health Systems of SC
Zachary Brewster, The Bridge Builder
In 2018, the Greenville Chamber has developed new partnerships to ensure that the Minority Business Accelerator continues to be a cutting-edge program utilizing the latest technology to deliver exceptional service to participants. The Greenville Chamber and The Brickyard are partnering to create a dashboard for MBA participants providing a gateway for accessing business tools, resources and one-on-one connection opportunities with subject matter experts of relevant business disciplines. The Brickyard will also provide a dedicated meeting space for MBA, alternative workspace for participants and other professional services. This partnership was made possible by a generous investment by Wells Fargo Bank to Accelerate, Greenville’s private sector-fueled economic development initiative. The Minority Business Accelerator is one program funded by Accelerate.
“Wells Fargo is proud to be a cornerstone investor in the Minority Business Accelerator and Accelerate,” says Brian Rogers, Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank. “Wells Fargo is passionate about supporting all local, small businesses, and we are especially thrilled to help fund this program that serves as a launching pad for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses.”
Greenville Chamber President/CEO Carlos Phillips says, “We thank the many community partners who give of their time and resources to support this vital program.” He adds, “We look forward to working with our new class.”