News / Press Releases

BALTIMORE - Fourteen small businesses have been selected to join the second annual Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator, a program to help minority-owned small businesses in West Baltimore grow their operations and promote socio-economic development in the area. The online program will be held over the course of eight weeks, beginning May 5.

The year’s cohort of businesses, selected from more than 30 nominees, includes:

• AfroFashion  
• Ambitious Dreamers Clothing
• Andina
• Cashland
• City of Gods
• Epic Art Universe
• Fresh and Shine Cleaning Services
• Fresh at The Avenue
• Lauryn Symone Edits
• Stix & Stones
• SoFusion Café
• The Black Genius Art Show
• Tri Hearts LLC
• Walker Pharmacy

During the two-month program, participating business owners will receive training on topics ranging from access to capital and debt management to financial management and marketing. Business owners will also have the ability to connect with industry experts and access the Latino Economic Development Center’s (LEDC) small business and credit-building financial products.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we’re committed to improving the health of the communities we serve,” said Tonga Turner, interim executive director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente. “We know that equitable economic opportunity improves health in our communities by creating jobs, income and upward social mobility. We’re thrilled to welcome this year’s impressive Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator cohort as they join us in our mission to lift up Baltimore’s minority small business owners.”

LEDC Interim Executive Director & CEO Marjorie Nemes stated, "We are honored to participate in this collaborative effort to continue to strengthen West Baltimore’s economic fabric. We feel confident that the businesses selected for this year's cohort will excel in their respective industries and deepen their mark on their community."

“Bon Secours Community Works is excited to welcome the next cohort of businesses to the Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator Program,” said Harry Spikes, executive director, Bon Secours Community Works. “These businesses are the cornerstone of our communities and key partners in our mission to create economic opportunity in underserved West Baltimore communities.”

The Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator Program is an equity-focused, collaborative effort, between Bon Secours Community Works, Kaiser Permanente, LEDC, and the Anchor Group. It is designed to help West Baltimore’s most underserved small businesses access the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to grow successful businesses that ultimately benefit the communities in which they operate. 

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About The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)

Working families deserve to live in affordable homes and own successful small businesses, but too many are unable to turn those dreams into a reality. The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) equips Latinos and other underserved communities in DC, MD, VA, and Puerto Rico with the skills and financial tools to create a better future for their families and communities. Participants in our programs learn how to buy and stay in their homes, join with their neighbors to keep their rental housing affordable, and start or expand small businesses.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/

About Bon Secours Community Works

Bon Secours Community Works is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The mission of Bon Secours Mercy Health is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of its communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Bon Secours Community Works serves the West Baltimore community with a focus on community health programs including youth and family services, economic development, coalition building, community engagement, housing and community development, which includes more than 800 affordable housing units. For more information, visit BonSecours.com.