The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has launched the first cohort within an initiative to provide economic opportunities to minority-, women-, veteran- and disabled-owned businesses.
Opportunity Ready is an accelerated 10-week program that helps owners scale their business and build capacity, as well as promote vendor and supplier diversity.
The program, a combination of online and in-person learning, avails participants to guidance, mentorship and training, while giving them access to Regional Chamber resources and support.
Vern Richberg, the Chamber’s director of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Initiatives, who is leading Opportunity Ready, said, “The goal here is to invest in businesspeople, so we’re going to make the investment in you, and hopefully that is a relationship builder.”
Each cohort can accommodate up to 12 businesses. Participants in the first cohort are:
• Kelly Franko, Seraphina Safety Apparel & Manufacturing
• Sylvester Frazzini, American Business Center
• Corey Patrick, YoGo Bikeshare
• Marcus Tsilimos, Premier Painting and Finishing Company
• HaSheen Wilson, New Vision Behavioral Health Services
• Andrea Mahone Blackmon, Just in Time Employment Agency
• Leah Beatty, Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary
• LaShara Kornegay, LaShara Marie Kornegay, LLC
• Michael MacEwen, Wayfinder Business Solutions
• Monica Vega, Gallery 18
• Dionne Dowdy-Lacey, United Returning Citizens
Photo: from left, include Sylvester Frazzini, American Business Center; Michael MacEwen, Wayfinder Business Solutions; Leah Beatty, Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary; Andrea Mahone Blackmon, Just in Time Employment Agency; Corey Patrick, YoGo Bikeshare; LaShara Kornegay, LaShara Marie Kornegay LLC; and Stacey Grant, DVyne Beauty Supply. Also part of the cohort are Kelly Franko, Seraphine Safety Apparel & Manufacturing; Marcus Tsilimos, Premier Painting and Finishing Company; HaSheen Wilson, New Vision Behavioral Health Services; Monica Vega, Gallery 18; and Dionne Dowdy-Lacey, United Returning Citizens.