Invest Newark Celebrates Local BIPOC Entrepreneurs at Business Accelerator Graduation | PR Newswire [Video]

Graduates of the 2024 Executive Business Accelerator Program reflect the diverse, thriving entrepreneurial spirit of Newark’s small business community

, /PRNewswire/ — Invest Newark celebrated the graduation of 16 small business owners from its Executive Business Accelerator Program during a ceremony held at Newark City Hall. Among the graduates, 19% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 81% as Black or African American and 70% represented women-owned businesses.

The seven-month program, which uses Interise’s award-winning StreetWise ‘MBA’™ curriculum, provides established small business owners with over $100,000 in annual revenues and at least one other employee with practical training in areas like strategic planning, marketing, financial management, procurement and sales. To complete the program, graduates must develop and present a customized three-year growth plan for their business.

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka highlighted the program’s vital role in supporting the city’s economic growth and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“The Executive Business Accelerator Program is helping small businesses in Newarkgrow and …