After wrapping up a successful spring program, YWCA Central Alabama’s WE360 Business Essentials is back to help create more successful women business owners. The fall cohort of WE360 kicks off Sept. 9. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 for the partnership with YWCA USA, Coca-Cola Foundation and Ureeka, an online platform dedicated to helping women and entrepreneurs of color own their own business.
“This program is life-changing,” said Dr. LaRhonda Magras YWCA Central Alabama CEO. “I have been so impressed and inspired by the women and girls who have shared their dreams and passions with us. I am equally proud of the support our YW team has provided to help these entrepreneurs take their businesses and ideas to the next level. This is exactly the kind of intentional support for women and girls our community needs to thrive and flourish.”
YWCA Central Alabama’s WE360 inaugural spring cohort hosted 37 women business owners who received personalized coaching and mentors, access to resources on strategy from national and local experts, training on scaling business, support raising capital and more while engaging at a self-guided pace perfect for them. Grants were awarded to 10 participating entrepreneurs to help nurture their businesses. One YWCA Central Alabama WE360 program participant, Cassandra “Comedienne Joy” King ranked second in a national WE360 pitch competition, winning $7,000 for her business.
Women and girls who participate in the WE360 Business Essentials Fall Cohort will again be eligible to apply for a select number of financial grants to help bolster their businesses and will have access to local, continued support through YWCA Economic Empowerment and REV Birmingham as they engage in the program.
“The overwhelming success of the spring cohort has set the standard for our efforts in developing and supporting women entrepreneurs,” said Angela Abdur-Rasheed, Senior Director of Economic Empowerment. “At least weekly we heard from WE360 participants singing the praises of the program with tangible ways of how the six-week session improved their business. We want to do more for even more.”
To learn more or apply for the fall WE360 Business Essentials cohort, send an email to [email protected] or call 205-949-5550.
