On Wednesday, October 27th, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation’s (AAEDC) Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP) graduated eleven small business owners. The IVP is intended to assist small and minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses in Anne Arundel County succeed and grow by providing owners with business education and training, access to capital, and mentorship. Participants take part in a seven week course and develop business growth plans, receiving a $5,000 seed grant for their businesses upon graduation.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman expressed his support for the IVP in a press release:
“It’s so important for us to promote and encourage small and minority-owned businesses in this county,” said Pittman. “Their success and growth is key to creating intergenerational wealth, and IVP is a tremendous program that provides business owners with the training and resources that can help make that happen.”
County Executive Pittman was joined by Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz and City of Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley in providing videos directly congratulating IVP graduates. The graduating class, IVP’s second, was comprised of the following individuals:
- Emily Tomasini, Piratequest, Inc., Annapolis
- Al’nisa Broadway, Small Cakes Maryland LLC, Annapolis
- Tawana (Michelle) Davy, Davy Dance Academy, LLC, Annapolis
- Barbara Duvall, Bowl of Cherries, Crownsville
- Sandra Ahiekpor, EL& S LLC, Laurel
- Ravinder Thakur, CMR Enterprises Inc., Annapolis
- Montoya Silver, Textures LLC, Odenton
- Jaron Rice, Magothy Payments, Inc., Severna Park
- Shay Cook, Crusaders for Change, LLC, Odenton
- LaToya Nkongolo, Work Life Behavorial Health and Professional Training, LLC, Glen Burnie
- Lisa Ennis, The Ty-Ci Group, Odenton
