March 7th 2024.
In December, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs made a lasting impression at the Walt Disney World resort. It was an exciting 3-day event where more than 80 Black entrepreneurs and RICE stakeholders from Atlanta gathered at Disney's Yacht Club Convention Center. The agenda was packed with intensive programming, including pitch practicing and presentations, networking opportunities, and a panel of small business experts and speakers from the supply chain industry.
At the center of the event were RICE's program participants, also known as "stakeholders," who shared their personal journeys in entrepreneurship, gained valuable insights on scaling their businesses, and learned about securing corporate contracts. The panels covered a range of topics, such as social media best practices and quality service sessions from the Disney Institute. There was also a panel specifically focused on small business vendors, featuring Michael D Young, president and CEO of ACY Constructors, and Dr. Lisa Williams, founder and CEO of World of Epi. The event concluded with inspiring executive remarks that left a lasting impact on all attendees.
Each participant had their own reasons for attending, whether as stakeholders, speakers, executives, or program leaders. Dr. Lisa Williams and Michael D Young were two notable speakers who shared their experiences and insights. Ralph Sagaille, executive director of Supplier Diversity & Strategic Sourcing for the Walt Disney Company, also spoke about the company's commitment to helping small businesses grow by providing them with the necessary encouragement and inspiration.
Williams, who created the popular Black Panther: Wakanda Forever collectible dolls, spoke about the importance of being prepared for opportunities. "I didn't know, but we had been preparing for decades to work with Disney," she shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. "What I was really doing was just making the best product, the best dolls I could, that empowered our children and adults, but when the Wakanda opportunity came forward, we were ready." She went on to explain how her company had all the necessary elements in place, such as distribution, international distribution, software, certification, and insurance, which made it easy for them to collaborate with Disney and create the magical dolls.
Williams' message resonated with stakeholders, as it was a great accomplishment for a small business like hers. It also showed that the same level of success was possible for all stakeholders in attendance. Charmaine Gibbs-West, founder and CEO of Essence Tree, shared her own experience, saying, "It has been life-changing. It has been so impactful for my business. I have a goal to impact women at a deeper level of their healing and wellness journey. Learning from Disney that at every single touch point, you can bless and give and sprinkle magic on everybody and touch all of your clients—I cannot wait to implement a lot of the things I learned."
Paul Wilson, vice president of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at RICE, highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their stage of business. "It's critical for us to create an environment where, if you literally just got an idea this morning and want to turn it into a business, we have a place for you," he explained. "We also want to support businesses that have been around for 10 years or more, as well as billion-dollar corporations. Even at those large numbers, they still hire consultants, so we want to provide a unique and individualized space for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey."
Disney also offered many engaging experiences, such as a tour of Epcot Center with the Disney Institute, a candlelight procession, a dessert reception, and a presentation of "Luminous: The Symphony of Us" fireworks. The RICE Supply Chain Accelerator Program Partnership with Disney Institute struck the perfect balance between leisure and learning, and the takeaways were invaluable.
To learn more about the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and its mission, visit russellcenter.org. Additionally, PayPal recently donated $1 million to the center for their new Entrepreneur Retail Academy, demonstrating their commitment to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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