The BALSA Foundation Summer 2018 BALSA Grant awards. Each first-time entrepreneurs will receive $1,000 in cash grants, along with professional services and mentorship to help them start and grow their business. (Sitting Left to right: Anna and Tello Carreon, Elevada LLC; Kita Quinn, 1K Digital Memories; Rachael Cross, Simply Chic Jewelry; Charlene Lopez and Darren Young, The Fattened Caf; Standing Left to right: Colleen Mulvihill, SLEDP; Aziz Traore, BALSA Foundation; Julius B. Anthony, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature; Monica Turner, Angela Byrd and DeAnna Tipton, Byrds of Expression; Whitney Jones, Transitional Homes 4 You; Shelby Farr, Luxury Body Bar; Serrita Sydnor and Alicia Cooper, Butterfly Effect G2W; Charlene Williams, C.H.A.R.M.’D; Michael Bynum, BALSA Foundation).
We are delighted to announce our Summer 2018 BALSA Grant Finalists! These ten first time entrepreneurs will each receive a $1000 cash grant, in-kind donations of professional services, and ongoing mentorship to help start and grow their business:
Julius B. Anthony, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature
Anna and Eleuterio Carreón, Elevada LLC
Rachael Cross, Simply Chic Jewelry
Shelby Farr, Luxury Body Bar
Whitney Jones, Transitional Homes 4 You
Kita Quinn, 1K Digital Memories
Serrita Sydnor, Butterfly Effect G2W
DeAnna Tipton, Byrds of Expression
Charlene Williams, C.H.A.R.M.’D.
Charlene Lopez Young, The Fattened Caf
The award ceremony featured a panel discussion with Shay Gillespie of World Wide Technology, Valerie Patton of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; moderated by Dr. April Warren-Grice of Liberated Genius. The conversation allowed the panelists to share their WHY; why they do what they do as professionals and business owners. All three expressed the importance of believing in yourself and your idea, surrounding yourself with like minded individuals who encourage and support you and your business, building relationships and giving back to the community.
See our press release here.
