The first cohort within the Opportunity Ready small business accelerator program has graduated with a class of eight members.
The initiative, supported by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, provides economic opportunities to bolster late-stage startups and early-stage growth companies through a 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. Opportunity Ready is led by Vern Richberg, the Chamber’s director of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Initiatives.
A graduation ceremony was March 28 at the Apollo Event Center in Youngstown. Members of the graduating class were:
- Corey Patrick, YoGo Bikeshare
- Marcus Tsilimos, Premier Painting and Finishing Company LLC
- Michael MacEwen, Wayfinder Business Solutions
- Hasheen Wilson, New Vision Behavioral Health Services
- Stacey Grant, DVyne Beauty Supply Company
- Syl Frazzini, American Business Center
- Andrea Mahone-Blackmon, Just In Time Employment Agency
- Leah Beatty, Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary
To learn more about Opportunity Ready, go to regionalchamber.com under Initiatives & Programs in the menu and click on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion or visit here.