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):
“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
###
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.
###
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
