Archive for year: 2022

by Stephanie Mireku

RIBBA’s Emerging Leaders Development Program is a unique opportunity for professionals of color to invest in their leadership skills and amplify their professional trajectories toward greater success. The program encourages active and ongoing participation in discussions and projects related to topics such as personal brand, leadership style, conflict management, and managerial effectiveness. Participants have the platform to increase their overall access to resources and opportunities, enhance their capacity to lead, improve career opportunities, build significant relationships, and contribute to the fabric of leadership in their communities.

The program, currently in its second year of accepting applicants, has a reputation all on its own in part due to its remarkable outcomes, such as a 100% graduation rate, several promotions and job offers, board placements, business launches, speaking opportunities, and overall increased access to professional and personal opportunities. While it can be interesting and helpful to hear the facts, the stories make all the difference. In the words of Maya Angelou, “people will forget what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel”. We hope you feel the impact of the program by hearing the perspective from a graduate of the first cohort, Mushi Calixte, a Manager of the Community Support Team at The Providence Center, about why it would be advantageous to apply for the program. 

1. You’ll get what you contribute, but most likely you will get even more  

Mushi shared that she pursued the Emerging Leaders program in hopes to become a better leader to guide her staff and improve decision making. Her impressive outcome of attaining a promotion and increasing confidence, as well as maximizing potential and capacity to lead, balance major responsibilities and pursue additional endeavors in life such as an advanced degree, she attributes to the next level mindset and growth focused environment of the program. These were all added and unexpected advantages to participating. 

2. You will learn a lot of important truths about yourself 

Mushi shared that through this experience she learned about how giving she is, how that affects how she is perceived, and how she can best navigate that, additionally she learned that she is stronger than she ever thought she was. The program also reminded her of the important truth that she is enough, and that she can use her unique voice in leadership as a Black woman the way that works for her rather than molding to others’ preferences or expectations. In Mushi’s powerful words: “My seat is there, I just have to sit in it”. 

3. You will meet incredible people and build valuable relationships 

Mushi had a hard time narrowing down her favorite part of the cohort experience due to having such a high value and return on her time in the program, but she ultimately pointed out the essence of the program is the people, and specifically meeting everyone participating in the program who were also focused on a goal of elevating themselves as leaders of color. It was reaffirming to know that she is not alone in trying to better herself. She now has a whole new set of people that she can go to for advice, to share ideas and perspectives, and to connect with on a personal level. 

4. The conversations and experiences you have will elevate your career and life 

Mushi shared that she had previously participated in other leadership programs but what sets the RIBBA Emerging Leaders Development Program apart from others of its kind is the individual and collective impact of the experience provided by RIBBA leadership and staff envisioned and then made the program possible. All of the incredible resources, information, and opportunities shared with the interest of helping participants to grow, learn, and improve made all the difference. The support from each person who was a part of the experience made all the difference as well as the feeling of having real, relevant, and powerful conversations in the duration as opposed to the feeling of being lectured to. Mushi also wonders what could have happened had she had access to this opportunity sooner because of how impactful it has been already.

5. You get a rare opportunity to give to and invest in yourself

Mushi’s advice to future participants: “be completely open minded, put the information into practice, be hands on, and take advantage of everything that is offered, and most importantly be ready to receive” 

The Emerging Leaders Development Program prepares high-performing Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, Indigenous and multi-racial professionals for advancement into senior leadership and executive roles while raising their visibility as a force within their organization and community. This 7-month leadership program is designed to provide participants with the additional knowledge, skills and tools that they will need to take their career to the next level. The program includes in-residence training, assessments to aid in advancement, executive and emotional intelligence coaching, mentorship, volunteering, civic engagement, networking opportunities, and more. 

The Emerging Leaders Development Program is free for participants through funding received by the RI Department of Labor and Training and is delivered by RIBBA in partnership with the University of RI Office of Strategic Initiatives.

To learn more and apply, visit the webpage. 

 
Providence, RI – May 10, 2022 – The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses and professionals in RI, held a Young Adult Business Pitch Competition on April 30, 2022 at Sprout Co-Working in Providence, Rhode Island. Eight young adult entrepreneurs were invited to participate in the final pitch competition and were awarded over $10,000 in grant funds. The competition was open to individuals who live in Rhode Island, are Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, and are aged 18-30. 

Upon arriving at the competition event, Lisa Ranglin, CEO of RIBBA, announced that they would be increasing the winning funds to $5,000 and that any business that did not place in the top three would also leave with a $500 grant for their business – amounting to $12,500 dispersed to participants.  

The following businesses received top recognition and between $2,000-$5,000 grants: 

• 1st Place: MUSE LLC –  Toye Onikoyi and Larry Adigun 
• 2nd Place: MBKBeauty – Khamry Varfley 
• 3rd Place: Kerly Girl – Kerlyne Jean-Baptiste 

“When we heard of this opportunity it was a no brainer to apply to be a part, said Toye Onikoyi and Larry Adigun – 1st place winners of the competition. “I was already familiar with the work RIBBA does as I was introduced to them while in college. I knew our pitch was ready but didn’t expect anything and it was a surprise and uplifting to win first place and gracious of them to raise the prize winnings. Besides winning we were able to meet other entrepreneurs and expand our ever-growing network. We look forward to using the money for marketing purposes as well as inventory expenses.” 

Each of the eight participants received training on how to create and present a business pitch prior to the final competition. The final winners were decided by three judges who are all entrepreneurs and small business leaders in the state. They assessed the participants on their idea, presentation, and overall business plan.

“As one of the first winners of RIBBA’s first competition, I understand what these young entrepreneurs were feeling,” said Victor Regino – competition judge and 2019 pitch winner. “I was on this exact stage pitching my liquor brand called Papi’s Coquito, ultimately winning startup funds to bring my business to the next level. RIBBA’s staff ensured all basics were covered and most importantly made sure these young business owners were prepared to give their presentations and knew the answers to all our questions. As a Small Business Liaison for the City of East Providence, I work with business owners every day, and I understand how difficult running a business can be without the proper foundation. RIBBA spends so much time and energy preparing and empowering young Black and brown entrepreneurs and they understand the importance of building up the community around them. This is why I’m confident they will all do well. Congratulations to Kerly Girl, MBK Beauty, and Muse Mirror!” 

Lisa Ranglin, RIBBA president stated, “Access to capital for this underserved population is very limited. We are offering RIBBA’s unique approach of combining access to capital with expert technical services to help them grow their businesses. Business formation is an effective way to decrease unemployment. In spite of reports of record low unemployment among minorities, October 2018 BLS household data showed black 18 year old youth at close to 20% unemployment with Latino youth at nearly 17% – about 30% higher than among white 18 year old youth. Minority youth up to age 30 are twice as likely as white youth to be unemployed.”   

RIBBA provides businesses with a vast array of business services – from access to funds, to training, and one-on-one business development. To learn more about these services, email smallbizhelp@ri-bba.org or call 401-383-1179.