Louisville, Ky. (April 12, 2024)—21 minority business owners were selected to participate in the fourth cohort of Greater Louisville Inc.’s Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator, funded by Papa Johns and Beam Suntory. The eight-month program began yesterday and will run through November, teaching participants how to scale their businesses and facilitate connections to help grow revenue and operations.

“I am proud that this is our largest cohort of Power to Prosper yet. Our goal is to create opportunities for any driven entrepreneur to grow their business in our region,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. “Thanks to the support of GLI investors, we have helped more than three dozen minority and women-owned businesses scale, and we look forward to helping 21 more increase their revenue and impact this year.”

Participants selected for the fourth cohort are:

• Marla Boado, owner, Diesel Engine Repairs LLC
• Sharita Brown, owner, I AM Construction Cleaning LLC
• Michael Bush, owner, Goal Line Trucking
• Elijah Carradine, owner, Next Level Supportive Services
• Marie Etienne, owner, West Indies Family Cleaning LLC
• Mel Fischer, owner, Froggy’s Popcorn
• Tonesha Hearn, owner, Children’s Safe Haven
• Terrence Humphrey, owner, Terrence F. Humphrey Photography LLC
• Paula Kaeser, owner, CostCredible Consulting LLC
• Sandra King, owner, Rebirth & Renewal Family Resource Center LLC
• Lashonna Mansfield, owner, The Learning Tree Child Development Center LLC
• Desmond Martin, owner, Martin Elite Realty Company
• Quintina McDowell, owner, Sea Moss by J. Cortez
• Jessica Piasta, owner, MAPS Security LLC
• Timothy Pruitt, owner, God Particle IT Group LLC
• Tyeshia Halsell-Richards, owner, THR Pediatrics and Wellness Center
• Abaz Tahirovic, owner, A-Baznian Express
• Lakeesha Thomas, owner, Thomas Tax Pros
• Nikki Washington, owner, Royal Beauty Wellness Elite LLC & DLNI Hair &Fitness LLC
• Richard Wilson, owner, Cardinal Technology PLLC
• Dawn Urrutia, owner, Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company

Launched in 2021, the Power to Prosper Accelerator is a comprehensive program designed to provide entrepreneurs with the vital skills and knowledge needed for business growth. The program is valued at $15,000 per participant but is offered at no cost thanks to the generous support of Papa John and Beam Suntory. Content for the program comes from a partnership with national consulting firm, Interise, tapping into their nationally recognized Street-Wise MBA™ model. Participants learn essential business skills including growth strategies, strategic planning, financial literacy, marketing and sales, human resources, securing funding, and understanding contracts with government and large corporations.

The program is led by Dana Johnson, GLI’s senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion, and Dr. Eric Jordan, GLI’s senior diversity and inclusion manager and program manager of the Power to Prosper Accelerator. Miguel Hampton, CEO of F5 Enterprises, returns as an instructor and mentor for participants.

Power to Prosper is part of GLI’s ongoing efforts to move the needle on inclusive economic development. One year after the graduation of each cohort, participants are surveyed on their business’ results and progress. Results from the first two cohorts include:

• 65 total jobs created and retained.
• 79% are following the growth plan they developed in the program.
• 58% average revenue growth for businesses.
• 30% received financing to help grow their business.
• 96% hired from the local community.

“The success of our first two cohorts underscores that this program is centered around economic equity. Investing in minority-owned businesses is not only good for the individual businesses, but also great for the entire community. “This program is helping to create jobs and scale small businesses into major economic drivers,” said Johnson.

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

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About Greater Louisville Inc.

Greater Louisville Inc. is the Metro Chamber of Commerce and represents 15 counties in Kentucky and Indiana. GLI’s mission is to grow businesses and the regional economy. GLI supports businesses during every stage of development and represents the collective needs of the business community by advocating for pro-growth policies and economic development investment, and deploying programming centered around attracting and developing talent and economic inclusion. GLI is the 2019 National Chamber of the Year and is one of only three percent of chambers nationally certified with 5-star accreditation status by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Learn more on social media @GLIchamber or visit www.greaterlouisville.com.