From an accelerator to a pitch contest to mentorship, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus wants resources to be accessible for everyone via its new equity-focused program.
The medical campus, also known as BNMC, launched this year IC Success, a free, yearlong program aimed at connecting historically marginalized entrepreneurs with supports and resources.
The IC Success program replaces and builds on EforAll, a national program that launched in 2021 and was done locally in partnership with BNMC. Juweria Dahir, who previously ran the local EforAll chapter, is director of innovation and entrepreneurship at BNMC Innovation Center.
“The new program pretty much includes all the great things and lessons we learned that made EForAll successful … but as part of this robust system and programming now we connect them to additional marketplaces for products and services,” she said.
The program will accept two cohorts per year. The first one started in January with 15 entrepreneurs, and the next cohort will start in July. For about the first three months, the cohorts go through an accelerator program where they have classes twice a week and are matched up with three mentors per entrepreneur to meet with weekly.
Next, cohort members will do final pitches for a slice of the $20,000 total that’s up for grabs. Then, there are nine months of wraparound services that include continuing with the mentoring, the potential to get more funding and access to the BNMC team, leadership and prospective connections and customers from the downtown medical campus, where more than 17,000 people work.
“We’re not just helping them with their business and working on their business,” said Kyria Stephens, BNMC director of inclusion & community initiatives. “We’re actually connecting them with opportunities to get business.”
Program participants get help with connections in areas like insurance, health care and legal advice. They also get free work and meeting space.
IC Success would like to expand its cohort to beyond 15 members per cycle, but need enough mentors to do so while keeping the 3:1 mentor-to-entrepreneur ratio.
Here are the winter 2023 cohort members:
- Jimmie Byrd and Eric Flynn, founders of Tailgate Mafia, which makes custom figurines that are combined with nonfungible tokens and augmented reality.
- LeAnthony Freeman, founder of Y.A.L.E. (Youth Acquiring Leadership & Excellence) Academy, a nonprofit that implements programs aiming o uplift communities and provide services and leadership at the national and global levels.
- Candice Halsey, founder of Candi Coated Kizz LLC, which specializes in beauty enhancement.
- Princessa S. Williams, owner of Princessa’s Studio & Art Gallery in North Buffalo.
- Shanea McDougald, owner of Created to Create Co., which makes signs, cake accessories and event décor.
- Schondra Aytch, creator of Sneakvibing Blog, a multimedia platform highlighting Buffalo’s art and hip-hop music scene.
- Queen Okyere, owner of A Queen’s Attire, a clothing boutique that focuses on confidence and affordability.
- Mariam Sadawi, founder of HINT Juice & Smoothie, an organic juice company that aims to help the community’s health.
- Adriana Viverette, founder of Go Getta Enterprises, which includes a syndicated media platform focusing on talk, culture and music.
- Shéquanda Long, CEO of Teacher Tidbits, an educational brand that provides resources for parents and educators to make learning fun.
- Joey Ann Reynolds, founder of Jojo Crafting, which creates personalized designs in crafting and woodworking.
- Shiyterea Jones, founder of Kingdom Transformation, a leadership development consulting company.
- LaToya Fonville, CEO of Essence of Perfection. She is an author, preacher, coach and leader with over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship and business development.
- Cheree Laguerre, owner of Limitless Painting, which specializes in interior painting and accent walls .
- Brandi Robinson, owner of Honey Bee’s Driving School, a woman-owned driving school.
