Participants selected for the third cohort are:

• Dawana Clarkson, owner, D’Luxe Hair Concepts
• Adrian Franklin, owner, Franklin Interior Systems, LLC
• Jasmine Gatti, owner, Fleur de Tea
• Lloyd Graves, owner and president, Signarama Louisville-East
• Matthew Harrell Sr., president, APK Development and Construction
• Cassandra Harris-Gray, CEO, Creative Spirits Networks
• Milann Miles, owner, Echilann Images
• Bhavna Patel, owner and manager, Vani LLC
• Carlos Patton, owner, Cap Trucking LLC
• Shaun Spencer, owner, Trimen Solutions, LCC
• Oracious Thomas, owner and president, First Impressions Computer Consulting
• Aquia Ware, owner, GMW Enterprises, Inc / Marvelous Transportation
• Nikki Webster, cofounder, Chase Ur Dreamz
• Adonna Wickliffe, president, Milestones

“Our Power to Prosper Accelerator is all about giving minority-owned businesses the skills and connections they need to move to the next level and grow here in Greater Louisville. Over the last few years, we have helped two dozen businesses grow their revenues and reach in our community and across the country,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of GLI. “The success of Power to Prosper is not only creating equitable opportunities for individual minority-owned businesses but also growing a more diverse economy in the decades to come.”

The accelerator, valued at $15,000 per individual, is offered free to participants through the generous funding of Papa Johns and Beam Suntory. This program teaches business owners critical business skills like development strategies, strategic planning, financial management skills, marketing & sales, human resources, how to access capital, and how to contract with the government and major corporations.

“Every year, I am blown away at the amount of interest we receive in this program. This year we vetted  over 100 applicants and chose 14 who met the requirements and are ready and able to scale their operations. I am excited to see their personal and professional growth over the next eight months and how they contribute to our regional economy,” said Dana Johnson, senior director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for GLI.

The Power to Prosper Accelerator launched in 2021 in partnership with national consulting firm, Interise, who crafted the framework and curriculum of the program through their Street-Wise MBA™ model. Using peer-learning methods and networking opportunities with industry leaders, the program provides the strategies, connections, and know-how the participants need in order to grow and scale their businesses. Graduates of the program will walk away with a vetted individualized three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan™ that outlines the action steps necessary for them to achieve their business goals.

GLI conducted a survey of the first cohort of Power to Prosper participants one year after their graduation to monitor their progress. All 12 graduates responded with positive feedback on the program and the results they have seen in their business, which includes:

• 100% program satisfaction
• 92% added or maintained positions
• 86 total jobs created and retained
• 91% are following the growth plan they developed in the program
• 57% average revenue growth for businesses
• 90% reported being profitable
• 42% received financing to help grow their business
• 100% hired from the local community

GLI’s manager of diversity and inclusion strategies, Dr. Eric Jordan, serves as the program manager and main point of contact for participants. Miguel Hampton, local businessman and President and CEO of F5 Enterprises, will once again serve as the program instructor and a mentor for participants.

To learn more about the Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator, click here.