Louisville, Ky. (May 4, 2021) – Seventeen minority business owners have been selected to participate in the first cohort of Greater Louisville Inc.’s (GLI) Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator. The program is scheduled to begin May 13 and will take participants through a rigorous curriculum designed to help scale their business.

Participants of the inaugural cohort are:

• Angelina Strickland, Strickland, Cox & Associates Primary Care Center
• Beverly M. Gaines, MD, Beverly M. Gaines, MD & Associates PSC
• Carl Brown II, Manns Moving & Delivery
• Chelsea A. Ellis, Jim Reynolds Asphalt Contractor
• Dolly Lopez, Znai Construction Services
• Don Weobong, Telania LLC
• Fabian Leon, Card Connect Louisville
• Joseph Scott, Joash Construction
• Kristy Flippins Bartlett, Option To Success Inc.
• Lameca Yankey, Vivid Imaginations Child Care Center LLC
• Maria Mackey, Mackey Printing Services
• Mechelle Porter, M3 Events
• Mohammed Sloan, EZ-Chow Inc.
• Pamela M. Haines, Sweet Peaches
• Shelby Throneburg, Eagle Steel & Metal Products
• Shellie Gary-Cheirs, Caris Counseling & Behavioral Health Group LLC
• Teresa Walker, New Leaf Clinic

“Each of the participants selected to be part of our first Power to Prosper cohort showed enthusiasm and commitment to taking their business to the next level and we are looking forward to working with them to make that a reality,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, President and CEO of GLI. “I am hopeful this will be the first of many cohorts and that this program will ultimately create more economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses, so they flourish into their full potential.”

GLI partnered with national consulting firm, Interise, to craft the framework and curriculum of the program. Interise’s StreetWise ‘MBA’™ uses a peer-learning method and brings in industry experts and business peers to provide insights, strategies, motivation, and accountability. At the end of the program, participants walk away with a vetted individualized three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan™ outlining the action steps required to achieve their business goals.

Criteria for the program included a minimum $200,000 in annual revenue, at least one employee, and the ability to commit the required time to the program. The program is a $15,000 value but is provided free of charge to participants.

The program is coordinated by GLI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team, Dana Johnson and Eric and Jordan. The curriculum will be led by a local facilitator, Miguel Hampton, who is a published photographer, an award-winning community business advocate and multi-talented self-starter with a diverse-managerial background.  Hampton currently resides in Southern Indiana and is deeply engaged in the Greater Louisville business community through extensive volunteer efforts and community outreach. He has also led four other cohorts through Interise across the country.

“I am thrilled to be able to welcome these 17 participants into the Power to Prosper program. I am confident that over the next year they will learn valuable skills and best practices that will allow them to grow their businesses and footprint in our regional economy,” said Dana Johnson, GLI’s Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

For more information on the Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator, click here.

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About Greater Louisville Inc.

Greater Louisville Inc. - the Metro Chamber of Commerce is focused on growing the regional economy. As the region’s largest convener of business leadership, GLI leads economic and global outreach strategies focused on business attraction; nurtures the entrepreneurial eco-system; and champions the development of the community’s talent base.  As the voice of Greater Louisville’s business community, GLI advocates for a pro-business environment and facilitates businesses engagement on issues that impact regional competitiveness.  For more information, visit www.greaterlouisville.com.