On May 24th, CNHED celebrated the graduation of ELEVATE Cohort III! Special guests included Commissioner Karima M. Woods from the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking; Dean Anuj Mehrotra from the George Washington University School of Business; Winslow Sargeant, Chair of the International Council for Small Business; and Vanessa Gail Perry, Vice Dean for Strategy and Special Advisor to the Dean at the George Washington University School of Business.
Photos courtesy of Shot by Shaine Photography
CNHED’s Executive Leadership Education Venture Advancing Talented Entrepreneurs (ELEVATE) Program provides best-in-class training to minority-owned small businesses (MBEs) located in DC. Through ELEVATE, MBEs work to acquire new skills that allow them to more effectively and efficiently manage their business, products, and services, as well as increase revenue and employment.
ELEVATE is the only minority executive education program in DC that is backed by a university partner. The 3-month ELEVATE curriculum, developed by the George Washington School of Business (GWSB) Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, is led by GWSB faculty members.
H&B Services had the privilege to be selected in CHNED & GW School of Business Elevate Cohort 3 program. Over the course of the ELEVATE program, our cohort was challenged to reimagine our business operations. Through the Baseline360 Diagnostic, I became aware of the strengths and weaknesses of H&B Services. I will implement an operations manual and compose an advisory board to leverage my professional network. The Elevate facilitators provided keen insight to challenge the status quo and take our businesses from Good to Great. Guest speakers shared their entrepreneurial journey which captivated the cohort member’s interest. It was evident that Elevate program was to cater to the unique needs of small business owners. Truly appreciative to Ms. Banfield, Dr. El Tarabishy, Dr. Giridharadas, and Mr. Blanks for their diligence in executing the ELEVATE program.
The ELEVATE program assisted me in realizing that the things that will scale my company, can’t be purchased on a store’s shelf. I now see how magnificent I am as a business owner and that my values of being adaptable, having integrity, and being consistently reliable, are three keys that will place Wise Workz Inc around the globe. I have a new mindset as a result of ELEVATE. My life, connections, and networks will never be the same. See you all at the Millionaires Club.
ELEVATE was such an engaging and enlightening experience from the very first class! We learned how to strategically design, build, and grow our businesses for long-term success. We heard directly from renowned leaders and subject matter experts in an intimate, virtual setting. And, we built relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs who are committed to the community and committed to excellence! ELEVATE is producing a new class of DC Superheroes (comic book reference) and I’m honored to be part of the journey!
 |
Chris Ryans | Tyson Project Management Group |
At TPM Group, we provide seamless relocation logistics and construction services with precision and care. We also provide a comprehensive suite of IT services for our government and private industry clients. |
 |
Dakota Mitchell | Dakota 3 Consulting | Dakota 3 Consulting Firm, Inc. is a woman-owned small business, specializing in Training & Development, Instructional Design, Project Management, and Continuous Improvement. Our innovative and idea management style philosophy enhances the effectiveness of organizations by improving workforce capacity through training, leadership, professional development, coaching, and organizational and human analytics. This method helps clients achieve and maintain optimal improvement in their people, processes, and customer service. |
 |
David Fenton | District Amputee Care Center |
District Prosthetics (District Amputee Care Center ) is an independently owned rehabilitation center that focuses on patient care. One of the goals of the District Prosthetics is to provide you with a place where you are valued. Valued as a client and valued as a person. In order to provide the highest level of service our team members focus on integrity, patience, and great customer service. |
 |
Dwight Deloatch | H&B Services | With over 35 years of experience, H&B Services is a trusted company serving residents and commercial clients through out Washington, D.C area. Our company provides a variety of cleaning services to satisfy our client’s cleaning needs. As one of the best companies in the industry, H&B Services put our customers cleaning needs first. |
 |
Gary Jamal Kelly | Dogs on the Curb | Dogs on the Curb is a company that prides itself in providing stellar customer service, a fun and friendly atmosphere, and an experience that ends with a full belly, big smiles, and maybe a little chili on your shirt.Considered to be one of DC’s finest gourmet eats, DOTC’s goal is to create products that inspire diners to roll up their sleeves and embrace exciting, flavorful, and unapologetic creations. |
 |
Henry Tucker | Grub Rockstar Catering | GrubRub LLC dba Grub Rockstar Catering is a DC-Based minority-owned small business full-service catering company specializing in creating flavorful cuisine with flare ranging from American, Italian, Asian, Creole, Southern, and Caribbean flavors. |
 |
Tisa JD Clark | J.D. Clark Professional Services |
J.D. Clark Professional Services, L.L.C. (JD Clark) is a Section 3, a certified Prince George’s County Based Business that is an Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) MBE/DBE/SBE Certified African American and Woman-Owned construction and maintenance firm with core services in Property Preservation, Property Maintenance and Improvements. JD Clark specializes in Facilities Maintenance, Grounds Management and Renovations. |
 |
Isaiah Peddie | Aim Technical Group | AIM Technical Group, LLC (AIM) is a team of innovators dedicated to delivering best-value services and solutions based on innovative applications of science, security, and technology. |
 |
Kumo Lartevi | The Convenient Clinic | Founded in the nation’s capital with the mission of providing excellent healthcare and wellness to all. We aspire to personable deliverance of services using contemporary evidence-based methods and technologies. We believe everyone is deserving of adequate healthcare. Most of our service is focused on care for non-life-threatening medical condition. |
 |
Mercedes Ebanks | The MECCA Group | Founded in 2006, The MECCA Group is comprised of a clinically and culturally diverse team of professionals who provide comprehensive psychological, rehabilitative, and educational services for children, adolescents, young adults, and their support systems in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. |
 |
Mike Utaegbulam | Black Digital | Black Digital is a mighty digital marketing agency who utilize our collective experience to deliver effective marketing solutions for our partners. We practice radical empathy by listening and execute based on those engagements to deliver superior business value. Our aim is to provide your business with a return that’s greater than your initial investment. |
 |
Sharon Wise | Wise Workz | Sharon Wise calls herself a “Surviving Spirit” and is a dynamic motivational speaker, National, and International Artist, and Award-winning filmmaker who shares her journey with the world. As a Trauma Expert, she has consulted with public and private government, national hospital systems, law enforcement, and the Women’s Trade Mission in England. |
 |
Vanessa Cacho | MTEC Services | Offers a broad range of professional, high-quality Fire, Electrical, Security, Access Control, and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems. We are a Certified Business Enterprise, an Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) experienced in designing and providing automated building services and network integration services. |
Want to be the first to know when applications open for ELEVATE Cohort IV? Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter!
and join the fight for a District where all residents can live in thriving communities that are racially, economically and socially just!
Become a Member
