Baton Rouge Area Chamber Launches Minority Business Accelerator Powered By ExxonMobil

Baton Rouge LA

10 June, 2022

8:59 AM

Description

Press release from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber: June 8, 2022 Initiative aims to assist minority-owned businesses grow Baton Rouge, La. (June 8, 2022)  brac.org/drive "We are thrilled to partner with ExxonMobil and Interise to bring a proven model for growth to our region's minority-owned businesses," said Adam Knapp, president & CEO of BRAC. "In our strategic planning research conducted by Ernst & Young, regions scoring high on measures of inclusivity have stronger overall economic growth. While this minority business accelerator is just one piece of strengthening economic inclusion in the Capital Region, it will fulfill an important need in our business community by helping our minority-owned businesses scale and grow their operations through training in key areas like finance, human resources, and marketing." Drive powered by ExxonMobil is part of BRAC's five-year strategic plan, BRING IT!, which identifies "creating a more inclusive economy," as one of BRAC's key goals for the next five years. The idea for the program originated after BRAC's 2018 Canvas Regional Benchmarking Workshop was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the trip, the Capital Region delegation was able to see firsthand the impact of a similar program launched by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. The program is funded through generous contributions from companies across the region who continue to commit to advancing economic inclusion within the Baton Rouge Area. Program sponsors include ExxonMobil, Capital One, and Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Community partners include Phelps Dunbar LLP, LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business, b1 FOUNDATION, MetroMorphosis and the Southern University Law Center. "For nearly 50 years, our U.S. supplier diversity program has focused on the inclusion of minority- and women-owned businesses. Recent projects have provided an opportunity to recharge our local supplier diversity efforts with a focus on the North Baton Rouge community," said ExxonMobil Public and Government Affairs Manager Stephanie Cargile. "We know that supplier development goes beyond providing business opportunities. Mentorship, capacity building, expert insight and nationally recognized training programs can ensure sustainable growth and future success for our minority businesses. We are excited to collaborate with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to provide those benefits through this program." The foundation for this program lies in Interise's StreetWise 'MBA'™, a nationally recognized, award-winning curriculum designed to accelerate the growth of existing small businesses. The StreetWise 'MBA'™ uses a peer-learning method to provide small business owners with the knowledge, know-how, and networks necessary to grow and scale. Industry experts, business peers, and the program's instructor provide insights, strategies, motivation, and accountability. At the end of the program, participants walk away with a vetted individualized three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan™ outlining the action steps required to achieve their business goals. "We are proud to partner with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and to bring the networks, knowledge, and know-how of our StreetWise 'MBA' curriculum to the minority-owned small business community," said Darrell Byers, CEO of Interise. "Baton Rouge's commitment to building an inclusive ecosystem is exceptional, and our partnership is a critical component to ensuring minority business owners in the city are connected to opportunities while building capacity. Supporting minority small businesses for local jobs and wealth creation — that is our nation's best small business recovery and advancement strategy." Applications are open now through July 29, 2022. Preferred characteristics of applicants include a minimum of $500,000 in annual revenue within the last five years, at least three full-time employees and at least 51% owned and operated by a minority. Participants will be selected by an advisory council and the program will begin in September 2022. To learn more about Drive powered by ExxonMobil and apply for the program, interested individuals can visit brac.org/drive. Questions regarding the program can be directed to BRAC's Manager of Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives Darrell L. Johnson, Jr. at [email protected]. This press release was produced by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. The views expressed here are the author's own.