The latest cohort of the Russell Technology Business Incubator (RTBI) graduated from the program on Jan. 5 at a ceremony held at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in West Louisville, located at 3029 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
The event marked the end of a year-long program centered on helping with the growth of Black- and Latinx-owned businesses through mentorships with business coaches who are either founders and/or other key members of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem (more on that below).
Program participants are also able to access several other resources such as a team of financial, legal and marketing professionals to help them accelerate their operations — as well as assessments, referrals and development training.
“You can feel the energy of the entrepreneurship community exploding in Louisville and nationwide,” RTBI program director Brittany Hill-Whitehead said in a release. “We are literally building a legacy conceived from the visions and dreams of today's minority entrepreneurs that will affect generations to come. It’s time to support the Black community in ways that will close the gap that exists between Black-owned businesses and others in this country. ”
Formed in 2021 by the Academy of Music Production, Education and Development (AMPED), the incubator’s main mission is to help create generational wealth in underserved neighborhoods, while narrowing the overall wealth gap. RTBI’s main office space is located at the Village at West Jefferson where AMPED’s office are also housed.
The business coaches for the past graduating class were: Jocari Beattie, founder of JoBe Products; Natalia Bishop founder of Story, Level Up; Kela Ivonye, founder of Protégé; Chris Redd, corporate IT manager at Baptist Health System; Jose Gaztambide, CEO of GoodMaps; Raechele Gray Smalls, manager of entrepreneur selection and growth at Endeavor; Mo Sloan, co-founder and CEO of EZ-Chow; Monica Stewart, director of operations at AMPED and founder of Transitions Caregiver Solutions; Jermaine Watkins, co-founder and CTO of WeatherCheck; and Kwane Watson, founder and CEO of Kare Mobile.
The graduating cohort was composed of the following businesses:
- Chicago Jerk Chicken, founded by Aaron Williams
- Smooth Hair Trends, founded by Amorita Chavous
- Hatchett Enterprise and Consulting, founded by Angela Hatchett
- Leo’s Juice Co., founded by Anjelica Lusco
- Eyes Like Mine, founded by Anthony Williams
- United Scholars Learning Center LLC, founded by Ayisha Hayes Taylor
- Unique Essentials Hair Care, founded by Benea K Durrett
- The Quality Childcare Circle, founded by Brittany Phillips
- Candice Gentry Photography, founded by Candice Gentry
- Poise LLC, Cecoiya Johnson
- Chanel Nicole Co., founded by Chanel N. Wells-Henderson
- The Harmony Home and Busy Bus, founded by Erin Duerson
- 925 Sports Corporation, founded by Frank Johnson
- Legacy Wine & Spirits, founded by Kelvin Young
- Gimme Some Suga Signature Cotton Candy, founded by Kendra and Theron Cunningham
- Kimme Laines Alterations and Fashion Design, founded by Kimberly Foree
- Melanated Healthcare LLC, founded by Lecresha Sewell
- Got Munchies LLC, founded by Lionel Jordan
- Wild Seed, founded by Maya Reynolds Van Irvin
- Mary's Safe Haven, founded by Melissa Wilson
- Kentucky Greens Co., founded by Michael Jackson
- DMCB Productions, founded by Mike Ford
- Chase Ur Dreamz LLC, founded by Nikki Webster
- Complete Mind Body & Soul, founded by Rhonda Johnson
- Faith Works Performing Arts Centers, founded by Rush Trowel
- The Girl Geek LLC, founded by Sharis Lattimore
- Loc N Key, founded by Shavonne Bass
- Apparel For Me, founded by Tiffany Bryson
- Krazy Decor & Designs, founded by Tynesha Bishop-Thomas
- Allii Solutions, founded by VaShaun Mosby
- Kentuckiana Backyard Farms, founded by Von Barnes
- 4Your Kids Entertainment, founded by Walter Murrah
