Fourteen small businesses have been selected to join the second annual Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator, a program to help minority-owned small businesses in West Baltimore grow their operations and promote socio-economic development in the area. The online program will be held over the course of eight weeks, beginning May 5.

The year’s cohort of businesses, selected from more than 30 nominees, includes:

  • AfroFashion
  • Ambitious Dreamers Clothing
  • Andina
  • Cashland
  • City of Gods
  • Epic Art Universe
  • Fresh and Shine Cleaning Services
  • Fresh at The Avenue
  • Lauryn Symone Edits
  • Stix & Stones
  • SoFusion Café
  • The Black Genius Art Show
  • Tri Hearts LLC
  • Walker Pharmacy

During the two-month program, participating business owners will receive training on topics ranging from access to capital and debt management to financial management and marketing. Business owners will also have the ability to connect with industry experts and access the Latino Economic Development Center’s (LEDC) small business and credit-building financial products.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we’re committed to improving the health of the communities we serve,” said Tonga Turner, interim executive director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente. “We know that equitable economic opportunity improves health in our communities by creating jobs, income and upward social mobility. We’re thrilled to welcome this year’s impressive Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator cohort as they join us in our mission to lift up Baltimore’s minority small business owners.”

LEDC Interim Executive Director & CEO Marjorie Nemes stated, "We are honored to participate in this collaborative effort to continue to strengthen West Baltimore’s economic fabric. We feel confident that the businesses selected for this year's cohort will excel in their respective industries and deepen their mark on their community."

“Bon Secours Community Works is excited to welcome the next cohort of businesses to the Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator Program,” said Harry Spikes, executive director, Bon Secours Community Works. “These businesses are the cornerstone of our communities and key partners in our mission to create economic opportunity in underserved West Baltimore communities.”

The Future Baltimore Small Business Accelerator Program is an equity-focused, collaborative effort, between Bon Secours Community Works, Kaiser Permanente, LEDC, and the Anchor Group. It is designed to help West Baltimore’s most underserved small businesses access the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to grow successful businesses that ultimately benefit the communities in which they operate.