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RI Black Business Association Now Accepting Applications for Emerging Leaders Development Program for Diverse Leaders

June 8, 2022/in Uncategorized /by Amanda Roman

Leadership program with proven success rate is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 program; deadline August 16, 2022 Providence, RI – Wednesday, June 8, 2022 – Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), an 11-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses and professionals in RI, is now accepting […]

RI Black Business Association Business Gives Out Over $10,000 to Young Entrepreneurs

May 10, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News /by Amanda Roman

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 […]

RI Black Business Association Now Accepting Applications for Emerging Leaders Development Program for Diverse Leaders

June 8, 2022/in Uncategorized /by Amanda Roman

RI Black Business Association Business Gives Out Over $10,000 to Young Entrepreneurs

May 10, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News /by Amanda Roman

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RI Black Business Association Now Accepting Applications for Emerging Leaders Development Program for Diverse Leaders

June 8, 2022/in Uncategorized /by Amanda Roman

Leadership program with proven success rate is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 program; deadline August 16, 2022

Providence, RI – Wednesday, June 8, 2022 – Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), an 11-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses and professionals in RI, is now accepting applications for its 2022-2023 Emerging Leaders Development Program.

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.

“Far too often talented professionals of color have ceilings placed on their growth potential in corporate environments. We are often told to ‘be patient’ or ‘wait your turn’ as we’re passed on for opportunities that we are more than qualified to flourish in. RIBBA and the Emerging Leaders Program aims to not only break through those ceilings, we aim to completely shatter them,” said Izzy Rodriguez – Assistant Director, Digital Marketing and Emerging Leaders Alumni.

The inaugural cohort took place from October 2021 through March 2022 – with all 25 participants graduating, receiving credentials, and 70% experiencing job growth. The development of this program took place over the course of two years and was accomplished through state-wide surveys, interviews, leadership program assessments, and data on the state of diversity in business.

“As a Black woman who has worked in corporate America for over two decades, I know firsthand the challenge of being the only person of color in the room and the lack of opportunity for visible projects and career advancement,” said Lisa Ranglin – Founder and CEO of RIBBA. “The Emerging Leaders Development Program is a model for what intentional leadership advancement should look like. This program is on track to change the landscape of leadership in Rhode Island by building a steady, reliable pipeline of talented and diverse leaders who are ready to close the leadership gap.”

“I feel that RIBBA and the Emerging Leaders Program especially has really empowered me as a leader of color,” said Marjorie Dellile – Emerging Leaders Alumni and Senior Project & Program Manager at the RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “I’m confident that the way that you walk in won’t be the way that you leave.”

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 Rhode Island Office of Strategic Initiatives. Information on dates, timeline, and the application are now available on RIBBA’s website. For more information, questions, or to schedule an info session at your organization, please contact Amanda Roman, Director of Program Development & Operations, at amanda@ri-bba.org or call 401-383-1179.

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses and professionals in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development.

RI Black Business Association Business Gives Out Over $10,000 to Young Entrepreneurs

May 10, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News /by Amanda Roman

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.