The JWC Foundation, home of the Jackson Ward Collective and BLCK Street Conference, will launch its 3rd Cohort for the Community Business Academy, a 12-week course featuring hands-on training to teach business fundamentals.

The CBA seeks aspiring Black entrepreneurs with a strong business idea or current entrepreneurs who want to improve, strengthen or significantly expand their current business, according to the JWC Foundation.

The CBA is a resource for “main street businesses,” small businesses that serve as the backbone of the local economy in the Richmond Region and encourages these owners to enroll in the 12-week course,” said Rasheeda N. Creighton, executive director of the JWC Foundation.

The academy seeks to equip new businesses with the tools to succeed during the early stages of development and strengthen the op- erations of more established businesses through weekly in person instructor-led sessions. Weekly sessions will focus on budgeting, marketing, bookkeeping, financing and more.

“The fall cohort kicks off our second year of the Community Business Academy,” noted Ms. Creighton. “It has been rewarding to not only see Black entrepreneurs navigate through the program, but to be able to support their continued growth after graduation.”

According to the JWC, interested participants must attend one of the 2023 CBA’s information sessions on July 6, 13, 23, 25 or 26 that will be offered virtually and in person. The Fall 2023 cohort begins Sept. 13 and runs for 12 weeks at the 1717 Innovation Center in Shockoe Bottom.

For more information, contact Ms. Creighton at (804) 955-9919, or rasheeda@thejwcfoundation.org.