On Saturday, June 10, 2023, Word of Hope Ministries, Inc., held its Diverse Business Development Program Graduation at Compel Family Life Center, 4057 N. Mayfair Rd.
The event was the culmination of the eight-week Cohort for the Diverse Business Development Program. Their were various speakers who provided resources and information to small businesses. It was also an opportunity for the small businesses to practice networking and to become comfortable talking about their business.
This program was funded by a federal grant awarded to Word of Hope Ministries, Inc., via the Wisconsin Department of Administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This program focuses on providing technical assistance in the form of education, resources and access to BIPOC, Veteran and Women owned businesses.
There were more than 40 graduates in this cohort completion ceremony (making this the largest class since the inception of the program in October 2022. Each graduate was awarded a laptop along with their graduation credentials. This program has proven to be very successful surpassing their initial goal of helping 100 individuals within the period of 2 years; to now assisting more than 129 graduates and upstarting more than 76 businesses.
Pictured at the event are (upper left photo, from left) Program Business Coaches Howard Green and Constance Alberts; Program Asst. Director Darlene Brown; Founder and President Bishop C. H. McClelland; Vice President Lady Prentiss McClelland; Event Coordinator Dr. Loretta Howard; Program Director Liz Luckett, and Program Instructor Jene Liddell.