Nashville Entrepreneur Center Announces Twendé Statewide 2024 Cohort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fifty-six Entrepreneurs Gather to Connect, Learn and Grow – A Driver for Tennessee’s Economy

Nashville, Tenn. (January 25, 2024) – Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC), today announced its 2024 Twendé cohort for founders of color. Twendé, Kiswahili for “let’s go,” is a statewide, 6-month accelerator program helping minority businesses grow their professional network and scale their businesses.

This statewide program will bring 56 business leaders together providing access to statewide connections, on-demand curriculum, capital resources, individualized coaching and mentorship, plus B2B (business to business) and B2G (business to government) resources.

“Building a thriving community of business owners of color isn’t just about diversity; it’s about economic vitality”, said Sam Davidson, CEO of Nashville Entrepreneur Center. “When we unite, share our experiences, and create opportunities for growth, we strengthen the foundation of our state’s economy, making it more resilient and inclusive for all.”

Twendé will be led by the following Entrepreneurs in Residences (EIR) and Coaches:

2024 Twendé Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR):

Dr. Isaac Addae

Shani Dowell

Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones       

Bill McCleskey   

“I am very proud of the EC for creating this program to support founders of color across Tennessee,” said Dr. Isaac Addae, small & minority business engagement liaison with Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. “Twendé gives entrepreneurs the tools and resources needed for long-term business growth and sustainability. We’ve seen many success stories from Twendé alumni, and I’m excited to see the impact made by the new cohort.”

The 56 startups (see list below) are generating millions in revenue creating more than 80 jobs in the tech, professional services, consumer goods, healthcare, and hospitality industries.

New this year, the program is welcoming students from Tennessee State University (TSU) to integrate into the broader Tennessee entrepreneurial ecosystem. Also new is Launch Tennessee’s network partner, Sync Space, establishing a group of founders to hold on-site programming in the Tri-Cities area.


“We are excited for the minority founders of Northeast Tennessee to be joining this year’s Twende cohort,” said Heath Guinn, Sync Space president, “The leadership and connectivity the program provides is incredibly valuable as we help companies continue to grow and create jobs in our region.”


The 2024 cohort will participate in 15 modules of on-demand curriculum, a minimum of six facilitated peer group and one-on-one coaching sessions, 10 monthly themed calls that are made up of Roleplay Labs, Coaching Q&A’s, and CEO Circles. Founders will also have access to the EC’s Capital Connector, advisor platform, and large community of members and alumni. The program will culminate with a two-day Customer Connection Pitch event followed by a graduation celebration.

All are welcome to join the EC in its first 2024 Twendé celebration, “Nashville Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day,” on February 22 at 4 pm. RSVP here.

The EC’s Twendé Program is made possible by its partners at Baker Donelson, CLA, LBMC, Wells Fargo and Launch Tennessee. To learn more about this program, click here or email Twendé Program Manager, Em Wilder, em.wilder@ec.co.

2024 Twende Cohort:

A Traveled Path Homes  | Shapree’ Marshall   

Adir | Jaden Bouldin-Miller (TSU)          

Apollo Services LLC | Tommy Smith         

BNatural35 | Brandi Alderson

Boutique Disposal Company | Ron (Ronnie) Greer       

B2 Apparel | Barrion Boyle Jr. (TSU)  

Confidential Fitz | Kennedy Burgess (TSU)          

Creating Marks   | Jackie Marks            

Culture Architecture and Design | Joseph Cole           

DNYLL Welsh and Company, LLC | Danyell Welsh          

Drinks R Us & Events LLC | Kayla Donaldson        

Food 4 Life Meal Prep | Lynn Parker              

GenIsis Holistic Life | Isis Swink                      

GIP Financials LLC | Sonja Jones          

Groovetheory Designs | Adrienne Lewis           

Hair on Hand | Cameron Perine (TSU)

H2 Transport | Tracy Harris  

Hackler Hall Event Center | Kathrine Hackler   

Homeland Heart Birth & Wellness | Kristin Mejia                             

Hylton Elite Marketing Agency| Danavan Hylton                 

I Am Well Consulting, LLC | Maryam Abdallah 

 Jane Deaux Investigations LLC | Jennifer Greer

JB Virtual-Services | Jeriesha Bushyhead           

Juice Pharm | Ashley Dunbar  

Kassidy Graphics | Kassidy Woodson (TSU)           

Legacy Financial Solutions | Star Brumfield

Life Changes in Progress | Erica Battle

Lynnscraft &Co  | Catona Porter          

Mathis Tax & Trucking Services   | Angela Haynes                   

Onyx Capital Financial Solutions | Cory Beal Sr.

Peculiar Garments | Trei Parker (TSU)

Pure Souls Float, LLC | Travis Ducksworth (TSU)

Populace Community Strategy | Dominique Anderson

Project E3 | Keisha Felton                            

Provision Health Solutions, LLC   | Shan Ojehomon                

Purser White Architecture, PLLC | Terry White 

Sacred Lotus Journey, LLC | Denissa Rogers- Giles                            

Sieve Studios | Patrick Owah                      

Sir Kolbe McMillian, DBA OSUN STUDIOS | Sir Kolbe McMillian                    

Solid Sudz LLC | Brandon Carter          

SpinFlash | Christel Young                           

Tea Rose | Jasmine Williamson                      

Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance | Diarese  George

The Beech Firm, LLC | Yolonda Beech

The Brand IMPACT | Jamia Simmons (TSU)

The CEO Lawbrary | Allison Manning-Carroll   

The City Juicery | Kayla Hall             

The Grevious Agency LLC | Regina Grevious     

The Nashville Black Market | Carlos Partee       

THE NOTARY STARR, LLC | Starr Mosley            

The Slush Kids | Jaqushia Buddie                   

Toni Kelly Counseling & Consulting | Toni Kelly

Unearthing Joy | Ashley Brailsford

Vita-Infusion and Wellness | Kameela Williams-Jackson                     

Who Spilled The Veggies Co.| Erica Moore        

Xperience Black Travel, LLC | Tamara Baynham

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The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 by business leaders to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and to celebrate the spirit and tenacity of the entrepreneurial community. The EC serves as Nashville’s center for entrepreneurship, supporting visionaries—from every background, in any industry, and at all phases—by connecting them to critical resources and championing their desire to change the world. Learn more about the EC by following @entrecenter on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at www.EC.co.

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Sync Space Entrepreneur Center is a 501(c)3 and the Launch Tennessee partner for northeast Tennessee. Sync Space programs range from early idea validation and workshops to accelerator programs uniquely focused on support for local and recruited startups considering northeast Tennessee as a place to grow or expand their business. Sync Space programming aligns startups with key partners and industries that offer mentorship, opportunities for investment, and pilot program opportunities. To learn more about Sync Space Entrepreneur Center, visit: https://syncspace.org

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