Tag Archives: Minority Business Accelerator Program

Arizona’s Largest Supplier Diversity Business Accelerator Welcomes Bank of America as New Sponsor

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Millionaire Mastermind Academy today announced Bank of America is its newest supporter for IMPACT AZ 2025, a three-year supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap for black owned businesses. Other sponsors include the City of Scottsdale, APS, SRP and VIA West Group as well as title sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Bank of America recently provided a grant for IMPACT AZ 2025 as part of the company's commitment to delivering responsible growth to improve the financial lives of individuals, families, and entire communities.

"Closing the racial wealth gap is one of the best things we can do within Arizona's business community and having support from financial services organizations like our newest partner, Bank of America, shows the importance of such programming," said Dr. Velma Trayham, creator of IMPACT AZ 2025 and founder of the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, which manages the program.

IMPACT AZ 2025 is an action-focused program with a physical space at Arizona State University's Skysong 3 in Scottsdale to share resources for promoting stability and growth as well as supplier diversity opportunities for local businesses. Supplier diversity programs could add $280 billion in income and 4 million new jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent McKinsey & Co. report. By 2025, the initiative aims to support the growth of 250 businesses while empowering more than 500 established businesses to grow their employee base.

Bank of America's industry-leading supplier diversity program has been in place for more than 30 years and is proud to have one of the most recognized supplier diversity programs in the financial services industry.

"We partner with organizations like Millionaire Mastermind Academy to help us deliver on our commitment to responsible growth," said Scott Vanderpool, president, Bank of America Phoenix. "Together, we can help tackle complex societal challenges, advance racial equity and promote greater economic mobility across Phoenix by boosting entrepreneurs and small business resiliency in communities of color."

Corporations interested in supporting IMPACT AZ 2025 or learning more about the program's impact can contact info@impactaz2025.com

About IMPACT AZ 2025

IMPACT AZ 2025 is Arizona's largest supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap of black business owners. Millionaire Mastermind Academy in collaboration with the Black Chamber of Arizona, IMPACT AZ 2025 is a three-year technical assistance business accelerator focused on supplier diversity training to grow business opportunities.

For more information, visit https://impactaz2025.com/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Thinkzilla Consulting Group

Nancy Davis

Info@thinkzillaconsulting.com

888-509-1145

CITATIONS:

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/expand-diversity-among-your-suppliers-and-add-value-to-your-organization

The Millionaire Mastermind Academy today announced Bank of America is its newest supporter for IMPACT AZ 2025, a three-year supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap for black owned businesses. Other sponsors include the City of Scottsdale, APS, SRP and VIA West Group as well as title sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Related link: https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/

Arizona’s Largest Business Accelerator Program Hosted Successful Supplier Diversity Matchmaking Event Powered by JPMorgan Chase

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- Fostering new connections and diverse business growth, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a leading nonprofit organization that has helped more than 8,000 diverse entrepreneurs across the country, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. hosted a Supplier Diversity Matchmaking event on Aug. 7 in support of IMPACT AZ 2025. With the goal of closing the racial wealth gap for business owners through supplier diversity readiness, IMPACT AZ 2025 launched in April with its first cohort of more than 50 business owners across the valley.

The matchmaking event connected diverse business owners with public and private supplier decision-makers, including the City of Phoenix, the City of Scottsdale, APS, JPMorgan Chase & Co., SRP and Via West Group, with opportunities from the construction and facilities maintenance, finance and insurance, transportation, manufacturing and professional services industries.

Dwight Warren, executive director and market manager of Government and Not-for-Profit Banking at JPMorgan Chase, kicked off the special event. In addition, Dr. Velma Trayham, founder of the Millionaire Mastermind Academy and creator of IMPACT AZ, and Robin Reed, CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, welcomed attendees and shared perspectives on the importance of greater supplier diversity.

"Arizona's largest supplier diversity readiness accelerator is already making significant progress towards our goal of advancing more than 250 diverse businesses past the $1 million threshold," said Dr. Trayham. "We are incredibly proud to demonstrate needed leadership in supporting and growing diverse business opportunities across the wonderful state of Arizona."

The solutions-driven accelerator program is expanding procurement opportunities with corporations and government entities. Fortune 500 companies spend about 2% annually on minority-owned suppliers, well short of the 10% to 15% spending goals many corporations establish.

"At JPMorgan Chase, we place ongoing emphasis on supplier partnerships and building strong and lasting relationships," Warren added. "Thanks to this commitment over the past 25 years, we are better able to serve our clients, shareholders, employees and communities more efficiently and effectively."

About IMPACT AZ 2025

IMPACT AZ 2025 is Arizona's largest supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap of black business owners. Supported by the Millionaire Mastermind Academy in collaboration with the Black Chamber of Arizona, IMPACT AZ 2025 is a three-year business accelerator focused on supplier diversity training to grow business opportunities. For more information, visit https://impactaz2025.com/

About Millionaire Mastermind Academy

The Millionaire Mastermind Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to educate and support the growth of women-owned business enterprises, thereby strengthening the economic impact in their community. We have mentored more than 8,000 women through technical assistance & economic empowerment programs. For more information, visit https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nancy Davis
Thinkzilla PR & Consulting Group
info@thinkzillaconsulting.com
888-509-1145

Fostering new connections and diverse business growth, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a leading nonprofit organization that has helped more than 8,000 diverse entrepreneurs across the country, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. hosted a Supplier Diversity Matchmaking event on Aug. 7 in support of IMPACT AZ 2025.

Related link: https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/

Scottsdale Mayor Ortega Welcomes Minority Business Accelerator participants during Spring kickoff event

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- With a welcome from Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega and President of the Black Chamber of Commerce Arizona Robin Reed, the Minority Business Accelerator Program, in collaboration with the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, kicked off on March 8, welcoming more than 40 women-owned small businesses, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today.

The 2022 program is sponsored by American Landmark; one of the fastest-growing multifamily owner-operators in the United States and Blaylock Van, LLC, the oldest and continuously operating African American-owned banking firm in the United States.

With a focus on minority business growth, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy has already helped more than 7,000 women across the country conquer poverty through entrepreneurship. With a forward-focused mission of developing economic growth initiatives for minority- and women-owned businesses to encourage job creation and business expansion, the organization focuses its work in the Arizona, Florida, and Georgia markets. A $500,000 scholarship fund for the program was launched by Dr. Velma Trayham in February to help small businesses owned by African American women.

"While Arizona continues to grow its commitment to diverse business ownership, institutional barriers to success such as lack of access to capital and access to quality business training are still a reality. That's what we're here to change," said Thinkzilla Consulting Group founder Dr. Velma Trayham. "This unique program invites more voices to the table and more support in developing and realizing entrepreneurial goals."

While Arizona is home to more than 600,000 small businesses, only about 11 percent are helmed by racial minorities, according to the Arizona Small Business Economic Profile.

The 15-week Minority Business Accelerator engages entrepreneurs with a proprietary curriculum, including startup tools, access to a diverse local and national mentor network, funding opportunities to rapidly grow and scale operations, and support in learning how to do business with the government and corporations. The economic goals of the program include supporting the launch of more than 500 new companies while empowering a minimum of 50,000 entrepreneurs.

Program participants represent industries including counseling and mental health, consulting, spa/beauty, IT, restaurants, and education, among others.

2022 Spring Cohort Participating businesses are:

Black HMU, UnitedABowens Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Southern Roots Vegan, Nursing Apparel & ThangZ, Waters Cover Senior Living Community, Simply Celeste's, Shaping Minds Therapeutic Services, Divine Vision Enterprises, Permananet Management MakeUP, Maxim Wellness Centers, New Phoenix, Powerfuel Bites, Her Sisu, Kream's Kreations, Riley-Jones, Walking in Wellness, Ms. Martha's Caribbean Kitchen, Holistic Pathwayz, Nikki L. Sims, Healthier New You, Limitless Scholars, Purpose-Driven Therapeutic Services, Aylee Consulting, Positive Vibes, Foxy Holdings, The Martin Walsh Realty Group, Above the Curve Design Co. and Vuvoi.

The Entrepreneur Accelerator program is offered twice a year, will begin accepting applicants for its upcoming fall program in July. Past alumni's boast acceleration of business growth, click here for past testimonials - https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/success-stories/

About Thinkzilla Consulting Group

Thinkzilla offers DEI Programming that focuses on economic, strategic growth initiatives for minority and women-owned small businesses. Our Award-Winning team helps our clients increase supplier diversity across their supply chains and assist in launching programs to engage communities across the globe. For more information, please visit https://thinkzillaconsulting.com/

About Millionaire Mastermind Academy

Millionaire Mastermind Academy is a 501(c)(3) organization that addresses the barriers to economic mobility for women who have been systemically and historically underserved and excluded. The mission is to educate and support the growth of women-owned businesses, thereby strengthening their impact on the economy and mitigating the problems presented by poverty.

RELATED LINKS:
https://thinkzillaconsulting.com/minoritybusiness/

https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/

https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/30141144/Small-Business-Economic-Profile-AZ.pdf

With a welcome from Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega and President of the Black Chamber of Commerce Arizona Robin Reed, the Minority Business Accelerator Program, in collaboration with the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, kicked off on March 8, welcoming more than 40 women-owned small businesses, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today.

Related link: https://thinkzillaconsulting.com/

Minority Business Accelerator Program Expands to Support Small Underrepresented Female Entrepreneurs in Arizona, Georgia and Florida

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- ThinkZILLA Consulting, announced its 15-week entrepreneur accelerator program for female minority entrepreneurs. The only firm that combines program management resources with extensive DE&I expertise, a network of thousands of minority-led business suppliers and full-service marketing capabilities, has expanded programming to combat poverty and support entrepreneurs in need of access. Quality business training and mentorship.

Earlier this year, ThinkZILLA expanded to Scottsdale at the Arizona State University SkySong Innovation Center, where it launched the first United Diversity Business Summit, convening business experts and CEOs to share innovative approaches to enhancing Arizona's economic growth outcomes.

The recent "State of Black Business" report highlighted racial gaps in Arizona, where Black workers are underrepresented in most industries yet overrepresented in the state's lowest earning brackets, and the business accelerator intends to reverse these trends.

"Education and entrepreneurship can support individuals and business owners in rising from poverty, creating sustainable enterprises and making a true mark on the Arizona business world and culture," said Dr. Trayham. "We are proud to lead the way in executing to seeing more business owners build and scale across the state."

ThinkZILLA's 15-Week Accelerator Program is in partnership with the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a 501(c)(3) organization that aims to end poverty through entrepreneurship, has helped more than 7,000 women nationwide gain the education and training they need to succeed in business. Since its founding in 2017, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy has awarded $60,000 in scholarships and more than $30,000 in seed funding to help African American women entrepreneurs create successful and sustainable business enterprises.

"The Pioneer Accelerator Program couldn't have selected a better time to launch in Arizona," noted Cloves Campbell, Jr., owner and publisher of the Arizona Informant, which recently celebrated 50 years of recording Black history. "As the Black population has increased astronomically, so, too, has the number of Black businesses. The need for programs that can specifically assist our Black entrepreneurs is long overdue. Dr. Velma Trayham and her team are providing a service that will not only create more Black businesses in Arizona but will also stimulate the economy for all of Arizona!"

Companies that commit to diversity, equity and inclusion benefit broadly with financial growth, a more diverse and stable employee base, deeper diverse supply chain engagement, greater innovation and enhanced company reputation.

Applications for the Hybrid business accelerator will begin accepting applications Jan. 10, with a deadline of Feb 15. The program will kick off with orientation at ThinkZILLA's SkySong office on March 1.

Learn more: https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/entrepreneur-accelerator-program/

The 15-week program will cover branding, doing business with local government and corporations, funding a business for growth, sales and marketing, and more. In addition, it will provide mentorship and networking to expand entrepreneurial knowledge, connections, and opportunities with the aim of helping business owners and entrepreneurs acquire the skills and support they need to scale and succeed in Arizona.

This program is made possible by public and private partnerships. Founding sponsors for the Accelerator program include American Landmark, M&T Bank and Blaylock Van, LLC.

About the Millionaire Mastermind Academy:

The Millionaire Mastermind Academy was designed to empower Black women to overcome the challenges of economic instability through entrepreneurship and small business. The Millionaire Mastermind Academy educates women and support the growth of their small businesses, engages entrepreneurship to combat the threat of poverty and gender-based income disparities, and enhance local community economies.

For more information, please visit http://millionairemastermindacademy.org/.

About ThinkZILLA:

With its mission to increase economic impact through cultural diversity, ThinkZILLA helps organizations create a positive economic impact. ThinkZILLA supports clients interested in addressing inequities and realizing growth opportunities through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programming, while impacting the local community.

To learn more about ThinkZILLA visit https://ThinkZILLAconsulting.com/.

CITATION:

"State of Black Business" report - (PDF) https://2301uj1nvlmrmp0ty21tpfxk-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/State-of-Black-Business-Report_small.pdf

ThinkZILLA Consulting, announced its 15-week entrepreneur accelerator program for female minority entrepreneurs. The only firm that combines program management resources with extensive DE&I expertise, a network of thousands of minority-led business suppliers and full-service marketing capabilities, has expanded programming to combat poverty and support entrepreneurs in need of access.

Related link: https://thinkzillaconsulting.com/