Chamber Opens Applications for Minority Business Accelerator

GREENSBORO— The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the second cohort of Scale to Excel, a minority business accelerator program that provides executive education, management know-how, and business support system for small businesses. Led by instructor Dr. Channelle D. James, the program is open to those who are CEO and/or a 51% owner of an ethnic minority-owned business.

The program is a collaboration between the national organization Interise, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and Accelerate Greensboro. Interise’s StreetWise MBA curriculum is used by more than 80 programs across the country, boasting an average revenue growth rate of 36 percent for participating businesses and four times the job creation rate compared to the private sector.

"Scale to Excel has proven to be a game changer for minority owned firms in the Greensboro area. The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Accelerator has created a program and model for businesses to have a pathway for success,” said Bernard Johnson, Director of Program. “Interise is truly excited to partner with the Chamber and looks forward to the second cohort. The opportunities for local minority businesses to connect, build capacity, and to refine strategies are so critical to an inclusive localized economy".

The instructor, Dr. Channelle D. James is a faculty member in the Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNC Greensboro. She also is the President and Executive Director of Community Ventures Inc. a non-profit startup focused on creating social good in the City of Greensboro through entrepreneurship and social innovation. She publishes articles and book chapters based on her research in sustainable/social entrepreneurship, diversity, and community support of entrepreneurship for vulnerable communities.

Valued at $10,000, participants pay $199, and the remainder is subsidized by Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Scholarships will be made available on a limited basis. Virtual information sessions for interested business owners will be held on January 6 from 9-10 am and January from 10 4-5 pm. Registration is now open at greensboro.org/accelerategreensboro/scaletoexcel/, and applications are due by 5:00 pm on January 22, 2022.

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About the Greensboro Chamber

The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the community serving more than 1,000 member businesses through programming designed to help them succeed and grow. A partner in the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, the Chamber also serves as Greensboro’s primary economic development organization, with special emphasis placed on community and entrepreneurial advancement through Action Greensboro and Launch Greensboro.