Women’s Foundation of Arkansas announces 5th Women’s Economic Mobility Hub cohort

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by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) ago 5 views 

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) announced the fifth cohort of the Women’s Economic Mobility Hub (WEM Hub). The six-month program supports Black women-owned businesses by providing technical assistance and additional resources, including $5,000 in unrestricted grant funds, to help scale their businesses.

Since the WFA launched the WEM Hub initiative in 2021, the organization has invested a total of $250,000 to support 50 businesses owned by Black women across the state.

The 10 women in this year’s cohort own businesses spanning a variety of industries and services and represent four Arkansas cities.

“It is our distinct honor to announce the 10 phenomenal Black women that comprise the fifth WEM Hub cohort,” said Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. “Over the next six months, these talented entrepreneurs will acquire new skills and resources, and build the networks they need to help their businesses thrive for years to come. The WFA team and our partners are excited to welcome this year’s participants and embark on this professional journey with them.”

The 2024 WEM Hub cohort includes the following women:

  • Lillian West of Bear Fruit Direct Primary Care in Little Rock
  • Tammy Johnson of Brooklyn’s The Bridge to Learning Childcare Center in Pine Bluff
  • Dequita Crockett of DLT Trust Inc. in Little Rock
  • Allicia Talbert of Talbert Lawn Service LLC in Little Rock
  • Cozetta Jones of CocoBee Honey in North Little Rock
  • Bridgette Harris of Plexi & Company in Pine Bluff
  • Vianca Armstrong-Jordan of LIT & FIT, LLC in North Little Rock
  • Adrian Jones of QuinTEEsential Designs, LLC in North Little Rock
  • Kendalynn Bolton of KB’s Love by the Pound and More, LLC in Malvern
  • LaTisha Brunson of Styleinvy Boutique, LLC in Pine Bluff

The 10 WEM Hub cohort members will receive technical assistance through a variety of in-person and online trainings and meetings designed to provide a comprehensive support system for Black women entrepreneurs.

The curriculum will include: expert advice from industry professionals in accounting and financial management, business development and legal services; peer-to-peer learning sessions; communications, public relations and marketing training; leadership skills development; and relationship-building opportunities with participating financial institutions.

WEM Hub is supported by individual donors and organizations, including AT&T, Bank of America, Entergy Arkansas, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and others.

For more information about the WEM Hub and other WFA initiatives, visit womensfoundationarkansas.org.