Fisk University has hired an executive director for a business incubator at its campus in historically Black North Nashville, named for a prominent entrepreneur who died suddenly one year ago.
Holly Rachel will run the Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center, the university announced this month. Renovations to Burrus Hall are underway to house the incubator, backed by $10 million of federal aid. Operations will be funded through Fisk, which is the oldest university in Nashville and one of the city's four historically Black colleges and universities.
Rachel co-founded technology consulting firm Rachel + Winfree Data Consulting along with business partner Lena Winfree. The duo also kickstarted the Nashville chapter of the Blacks In Technology Foundation, which now has 750 members.
"We hope this center will further inspire a startup culture to support neighborhood growth and development while also attracting established corporations and their workforces," Rachel said in a press release. "With its focus and location on the campus of Fisk University, the Freeman Center will bring something completely unique to Nashville’s entrepreneurial landscape."
Freeman was a prolific entrepreneur, investor and mentor who started his information technology company in North Nashville. Freeman had been working on the incubator initiative when he died in June 2022, at age 57. It was posthumously named in his honor.
"Darrell mentored hundreds of young businesspeople across the city, and this center will continue his legacy as a place where creative and passionate Nashvillians can make their vision and dreams a reality," Rachel said.
