December 10th 2024.
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, a group of aspiring Black entrepreneurs recently celebrated their graduation from the Black Entrepreneur Training Academy (BETA). The fourth cohort of the program, which was held in partnership with Black Wall Street Kalamazoo and Sisters in Business, was all smiles at their graduation ceremony last month. These graduates were filled with excitement and confidence as they shared their plans to apply what they learned to their own businesses.
BETA is a unique program that aims to provide Black entrepreneurs with equal access to essential resources. It is a free, five-month cohort-based program that offers expert-led guidance on entrepreneurship. Graduates also have the opportunity to compete in a pitch competition for a chance to win up to $5,500 in funding. Lyonel LaGrone II, a 2024 graduate and the husband of Sisters in Business co-founder Alisa Parker-LaGrone, expressed his belief in the program's effectiveness in an interview with MLive.
LaGrone joined BETA with the goal of taking his non-emergency medical transportation company, Michigan Ambulatory Services, to the next level. He was inspired by the success story of Doreen Gardner, a 2021 BETA graduate and the owner of Papa's Brittle. Gardner's participation in the program had a significant impact on her business, leading her to win the 2022 Catalyst University Makers' Mart and secure the NAACP Powershift Grant, mentored by none other than Shark Tank's Daymond John.
The BETA program covers a wide range of topics, including financial planning, marketing strategies, establishing an LLC, and even provides access to professional bookkeepers and business coaches. LaGrone commended the program's comprehensive approach, describing it as a "360-degree" approach that demystifies entrepreneurship and helps graduates find a realistic entry point into the market to expand their business further.
The support and resources provided by BETA do not end at graduation. The program's leaders continue to check in with graduates for a year afterward, ensuring that they have ongoing access to resources and a strong support system. Through a private Facebook group, students and alumni can stay connected, fostering a community and providing opportunities for continued growth and success.
Nicole Parker, co-founder of Sisters in Business, emphasized the importance of creating equity and a voice for Black entrepreneurs in the business world. She believes that programs like BETA can serve as a bridge to achieving this goal. In a similar vein, a recent graduate of Morehouse School of Medicine opened a bookstore and wellness boutique in Atlanta, showcasing the impact and potential of Black entrepreneurship in the community.
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