The Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator is partnering with Launch Greensboro and the national nonprofit Interise on a program to help minority-owned businesses accelerate their growth. Hear from Tracy Myers, EVP for member engagement; Niketa Greene, vice president for leadership, diversity and inclusion; and Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, EVP for entrepreneurship about how Interise's Streetwise MBA curriculum will integrate into the Chamber's existing talent pipeline.
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This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union
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Today’s host is Tracy Meyers, the Chamber’s EVP of Member Engagement.
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00:58 - Tracy kicks off the episode with a warm welcome and shares an exciting announcement about a new program tied to the Chamber’s minority business accelerator. Tracy also welcomes today’s guests - Niketa Greene, the VP of Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, the EVP Entrepreneurship with Launch Greensboro; and Bernard Johnson, the Director of Programs for Interise.
2:35 - Each guest shares more about their professional background and experiences. Niketa begins by sharing news on her promotion and work with Leadership Greensboro, and how she is stepping into a leadership position with the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA). Lou Anne explains how this program is a great addition to the work that the Chamber and Launch Greensboro already do to help launch and grow local entrepreneurs and their businesses.
7:55 - Bernard introduces Interise and the work that the organization does to intentionally support and scale minority-owned businesses that operate in low- to moderate-income communities. Interise works with partners to identify resources to help these businesses sustain, grow, add and retain jobs, and support diversity in business-ownership.
9:50 - Bernard reviews the data that Interise records annually on how the businesses they support add more to the economy in terms of more stable, higher paying jobs and generate higher levels of revenue growth. He highlights that the Greensboro Chamber, Launch Greensboro, and the MBA Program are all exciting new partners and ventures for Interise.
12:36 - Lou Anne explains how this partnership with Interise feeds into the established pipeline that Launch Greensboro currently works with, from ideation to established bootcamp growth programs. Interise is a logical next-step after the growth program, to help businesses scale sustainably while continuing to provide support, resources, and networks.
14:23 - Tracy asks Bernard what the “ideal” business for the Interise Program would be. He explains that the business would be at least two years old, have at least one full-time employee and be seeking to add more positions, revenues should be in the six-figures at least, and the business owners should be committed to their growth, as well as the support and growth of their fellow program peers.
15:50 - Niketa explains how the other programs that she leads can feed into and support the Interise Program, and how Interise can help provide other growth opportunities to businesses already in the MBA Program.
19:50 - Bernard speaks to how Interise chooses the cities they start programs with, how the organization goes about establishing effective partnerships, and how they forge ahead to achieve their mission of supporting and accelerating minority businesses. He explains that authentic community connections, partnerships, and relationships are absolutely critical, in combination with the curriculum of the program.
23:17 - Tracy asks the guests who might be involved in the first cohort of the Interise Program, and each shares their ideas and excitement about who might be interested in applying. With so many great existing programs, like the MBA and the Launch bootcamps, there are many businesses who are eager to grow and support each other. Bernard elaborates on the critical importance of cohort-building and finding that network in other business owners, even if you come from different industries.
27:04 - Niketa explains the program timeline and how interested people can contact her to get involved. She’s hoping to launch the Interise program at the start of 2021. She also expands on how this initiative fits into the equity and inclusion work that she and the Chamber have made a priority in the work and programs that they are putting on. Niketa is ensuring that there is action around equity work, that there is open discourse about systemic racism in the community, and helping to create change within the Chamber itself.
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Learn more about Interise's Streetwise MBA curriculum at interise.org/programs/streetwise-mba.
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Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber
Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.
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