On May 22, CNHED and the George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) were thrilled to celebrate the graduation of ELEVATE Cohort IV!
ELEVATE Cohort IV was unique in its structure and purpose, as it was designed exclusively for women-owned MBEs. We are honored to have worked with such a talented group of ladies and congratulate them on all they’ve accomplished throughout the past three months.
Photos courtesy of Cindy Kane Photography: www.cindykanephotography.com
ELEVATE, which stands for Executive Leadership Education Venture Advancing Talented Entrepreneurs, aims to provide best-in-class training to MBEs located in DC to acquire new skills that will allow them to more effectively and efficiently manage their business’ products and services and increase revenue and employment. ELEVATE Cohort IV is the first of its kind, as a class made up of exclusively female MBE owners.
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.
The ELEVATE curriculum is tailored to enhance and cultivate new skills that will enable MBEs to compete in the private, institutional, and government procurement sectors. MBEs completing ELEVATE will leave the program with a newfound clarity and dynamism that will catapult their business to the next level.
Participating in ELEVATE was a transformative experience for my business approach. Before the program, I was caught up in the day-to-day operations, often leaving strategic planning on the back burner. The program’s insightful classes and mastermind sessions provided me with the clarity to shift my focus from working in the business to working on the company. By identifying our core values, we were able to streamline our mission and align our efforts with our business ethos. Understanding our target market in-depth enabled me to tailor our services to meet the specific needs of our future clients. This strategic realignment not only improved our service delivery but also allowed us to set appropriate price points that reflect the value we offer. ELEVATE was instrumental in this pivotal shift, and I am grateful for the renewed direction it has provided.
I now know what it takes to not only run a good-to-great business but also what true leadership means and why it’s important. Through various courses and assignments, I have learned how to effectively lead a team, make crucial decisions, stay accountable for goals, and stay adaptable in an ever-changing business landscape. These skills will undoubtedly be beneficial as I embark on my business post-graduation.
When I enrolled in ELEVATE, I was uncertain what it would entail. I knew I wanted to accelerate my progress, and I believed the program could assist me in achieving that goal. Throughout the program, I came to recognize that I already possessed the necessary tools for success. By taking a step back to refine my organizational and foundational principles, I discovered that I could overcome the obstacles hindering our business’s growth. The program provided invaluable insights and strategies to propel our business forward by simply getting back to the basics.
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Nicole
Allen |
Allen-Norris Permitting and Inspections is a regulatory construction consulting firm uniquely providing permitting and inspection services to residential and commercial markets. Our team provides a comprehensive lifecycle approach to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of each project we undertake. |
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Anna-Marie
Ashe |
Area Real Estate is a full-service real estate brokerage owned and operated here in the nation’s capital. Area believes that success in real estate goes beyond the sale and that education and accessibility are paramount. |
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Talitha
Beverly |
Strong HR provides access to experienced and highly credentialed PEOPLE and delivers services with efficient, client-centric PROCESSES…all for a PRICE that is equally smart. |
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Vivica
Brooks |
TBG Trains is the premiere workforce training and development company. Our certified training professionals bring industry experience, knowledge, and skills to create engaging and impactful learning experiences. TBG is a leading expert in the field of customer service, work readiness, and soft skills training, with a specialty in working with the hard-to-serve population. |
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April
Daniels |
ALD Event Solutions is an event staffing company that believes attention to detail will create sophisticated experiences. Their mission is to develop high-quality, fun, and interactive experiences that are not considered average social events. The trained staff is certified to assist any organization’s staffing needs associated with food and beverage and event management. ALD Event Solutions provides high-quality staffing to event spaces, banquet halls, hotels, and private parties. |
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Victoria
Glaude |
Tori Autumn Coaching, LLC writes great and personality-driven copy so that you can increase your sales and change the lives of your clients. Tori Autumn is a conversion copywriter committed to helping conscious entrepreneurs grow impactful businesses through sharing their heartfelt messaging. |
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Dabrielle
Goodwin |
Covington Supply Co. is a trusted resource for builders and developers in the DC Metro and surrounding area. We offer a wide selection of top-quality residential and commercial supplies, including fixtures, finishes, and more. |
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Yolonda
Higdon |
HH Logistics Planning, LLC provides turnkey Business Solutions to include Project Management, Facilities Support, Construction Management, and Furniture Procurement/Management for Federal, State, and Local Agencies. Our clients also include K-12, Universities, Libraries, and Medical Facilities. |
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Alicia
Nti |
At Milestone Therapeutic Services, they strive to provide the highest quality therapeutic care possible to support individuals in achieving successful outcomes. To be a premier leader in therapy in the nation by expanding our practice and empowering individuals through dedicated and client-centered compassionate care. |
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Renata
Philippe |
Black Squirrel Company (BSC) is a Washington, DC-based start-up on a mission to design, construct, and sustainably sourced accessories, for you & your home. We believe we’re creating a future by honoring our rich diverse cultures. |
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Olusola
Pyne |
The Pyne Tree offers permitting, licensing and occupancy needs for construction. Pyne Tree works with licensed contractors, engineers, architects, landscapers and more to bring your vision to life. |
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Amanda Stephenson | The Fresh Food Factory is a social enterprise, whose mission is to empower underrepresented and undercapitalized entrepreneurs by providing them with a one-stop farming, food processing and distributing hub that equips these foodies with the essential resources to operate a successful healthy food venture. |
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Safari
Williams |
Regal Beauty Club provides 100% virgin human hair that is natural and of the highest quality. Our team travels the world to source authentic virgin tresses. While compensating our donors directly, we provide them with the means to take care of their families. They source from distributors across the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central America. |
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Kristel
Williams |
FishScale prepares delicious burgers sourced from sustainable wild fish in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. Our belief is if you have to eat, let the food taste good and be good for your health and our environment. |
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