GLI names 17 minority business owners for Power to Prosper cohort

Business Journals

21-04-2025

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The latest cohort of GLI's Power to Prosper Accelerator includes a diverse group of entrepreneurs, from plumbers to counselors, all aiming to scale their businesses in unique ways.
Story Highlights GLI's Power to Prosper Business Accelerator selects 17 minority entrepreneurs.
Eight-month program offers free resources to scale Louisville-area businesses.
Previous cohorts created 125 jobs with 58% average growth rate.
A group of 17 minority business owners was recently named to take part in the fifth cohort of the Greater Louisville Inc.'s (GLI) Power to Prosper Business Accelerator, which began on Thursday.
The eight-month program provides founders resources and networks to help scale their businesses within the Louisville metro area.
'Our Power to Prosper Business Accelerator is truly driving inclusive economic development in Greater Louisville. Since its inception, the accelerator has helped more than four dozen businesses grow their revenue, operations, and impact,' said GLI President/CEO Sarah Davasher-Wisdom in a news release. 'Thank you to our investors for continuing to support this program, and we look forward to seeing this cohort grow in the program and in the community.'
The cost per individual in the program is assessed at $15,000 — but it is offered for free thanks to support from Papa Johns International (Nasdaq: PZZA) and Suntory Global Spirits (the parent company of Jim Beam and Maker's Mark).
The accelerator consists of biweekly sessions that cover topics such as financial management, human resources, marketing and sales, contract development and access to capital. Its curriculum is based on Interise's StreetWise MBA model, which uses a peer-learning method.
Interise, which is the main sponsor of the accelerator, is a Boston-based nonprofit organization with a goal of providing support to small businesses that are either located in low- and moderate-income areas — or minority owned, according to Interise's website.
'Every year, it is rewarding to watch these entrepreneurs learn and grow through the curriculum of the Power to Prosper Accelerator,' said GLI's Dana Johnson in the release. Not only will this program help grow 17 small businesses in our region, but the focus on assisting entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented populations is truly breaking down systemic barriers in our community.'
Johnson serves as the vice president of economic inclusion at GLI.
The 17 business owners who were chosen for the cohort are as follows:
LaShay Calvin, owner, Auntie's LLC
Maizie Clarke, owner, Maizie Clarke LLC
Kim Heinzen, co-owner, American Bluegrass Marble
Jackie Jones, owner, Vita Shot Beverage Bar LLC (Amour Farm)
Demoine Lee, owner/master plumber, DrainPros Plumbing
Tiffany Marshall, owner, Pretty Birdie LLC
Robin Miller, owner, NEST Community Marketing
Laquita Moore, owner, Quita's Quisines
Shawnas Moore, owner, Hair Archi-Texture LLC
Curtis Nelson, owner, Bluegrass Counseling Associates
Ashlee Northington, owner, Happy Belly Bistro
Karen Phillips, owner, P31 Cold Storage
Roshunder Rucker, owner, Future Pioneers Learning Center Inc.
Pheniece Semien, owner, Spero Management LLC
Nina Smith, owner, Smith & Associates Counseling
Dana Spencer, owner, Just in Time 4 502 LLC
The accelerator is one component of GLI's Prosper 2030 Strategic Plan. Per the release, accelerator participants take part in a survey one year after graduation to keep record of the results and progress of those business owners that participate.
Based on the results of the first two cohorts alone, 125 jobs have been created or retained with 96% of them hiring from the local community. In addition, 79% of them reported as following the growth program that was developed within the program — with 30% receiving additional financing to grow their businesses. Their average growth rate was 58% (from one year out).