The IEE’s Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program (UCEP) graduated its 23rd cohort of the Community Power to Prosper program on Wednesday, December 3 with a ceremony at the University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center in Homewood.
The program covered key topics integral to managing and growing a business such as financial analysis, human resources, marketing, legalities of small business management, business strategy, and more. The graduates of this year’s program are:
- Danielle Alston — The Broke Crafter, LLC
- Keesha Marcelle Bennett — Peacefulplatez
- Michelle Coleman — Bella’s MMR’s Mall of Retail Beauty Boutique
- Shamiah Coulverson — House of Paradise Cremation and Funeral Care
- Tyler Coulverson, Soul Food Connection — LLC
- Desmond Russell, ObsidianIQ
- Kadi D’Alessandro, Gracefully Creative — LLC
- Carol A. Fisher, Dance on the Go — LLC
- Goddess Duprene Johnson, Creative Wellness Studio — LLC
- Timothy Jones — Colorful Voices
- Esaya Jokonya — Genwireless
- Carrie Miller — Heirs LLC
- Curtis Miller — Heirs LLC
- Shannon Mischler — Sionainn Consulting LLC
- Jasmine Lane — Babysitting Logistics
- Denyne Pollard — Life Memories, LLC
- Charles Moore — Moore’s Pro Works
- Tennil Sims — Deer Linnet Nail and Skin Care
- Kennola Slater — Potters Klay Home Health Care
At the ceremony, Rae Coleman, owner of Enhanced Creativity LLC, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker, where she shared insights as a CP2P Alum, reflecting on the benefits she gained from the program. The graduates each delivered a presentation about their businesses detailing the value proposition and offerings their businesses provide for their Pittsburgh-based communities. They also spoke about the ways they’ve grown and benefited from participating in the Community Power to Prosper program.
Danielle Alston found the education, resources, and community to be helpful for her taking the next step.
Jasmine Lane found the benefit of being able to step out of the day-to-day work to focus on her business.
Charles Moore appreciated the community and education that came at a transformative time for his business.
Community Power to Prosper helped Shamiah Coulverson bolster her business acumen to strengthen her business.
The Community Power to Prosper program comes at no cost to the program’s participants and was funded through generous sponsorship from PNC Foundation, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, Huntington Bank, UPMC, and Wilke & Associates CPAs.
More information about UCEP and the Community Power to Prosper program can be found at entrepreneur.pitt.edu/cp2p.