Thrive Leadership Institute Celebrates the Success of East Orange's Professional Development Workshop Series
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EAST ORANGE, N.J. - JerseyDesk -- Thrive Leadership Institute, Inc. proudly announces the successful completion of the inaugural East Orange Professional Development Workshop Series, a transformative program aimed at equipping local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to enhance their businesses and achieve Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Certification.

Facilitated by Anna D. Banks, Founder and Managing Director of Thrive Leadership Institute, Inc., the 9-session program began in September 2024 and concluded on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, with a celebratory graduation event. This hands-on series focused on essential business topics such as financial management, marketing, customer engagement, and compliance, empowering 12 entrepreneurs to build stronger, more sustainable businesses.

"Congratulations to these 12 entrepreneurs for their dedication and achievements," said Anna D. Banks. "It was an honor to work alongside such an inspiring group of business leaders. This program demonstrates the power of investing in small businesses and their potential to make a lasting impact in the East Orange community."

The graduation event featured keynote remarks from Jinni Rock-Bailey, President of Rock-Bailey Enterprises, Inc., and Capital Team Consultant with the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC). Her presentation, "Navigating Procurement Success: Your Roadmap to Profitable Opportunities," encouraged participants to leverage the tools and resources gained during the program to explore state-level certifications, expand their opportunities, and create meaningful community impact.

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Honoring Local Entrepreneurs

The graduates of the program include:

• Karriem Abdulahad, Improvements On A Budget
• Ugoeze Achilike, Wellcare Nurses and Staffing
• Ivan Downey, L&M Fish-N-Grill
• Simone Jelks-Bandison, 134 Evergreen Cafe
• Shavana Kundan, Everything Nice with Spice
• Samantha Lewis, SSD Flowers LLC
• Kelvis Polanco, Inked Library, LLC
• Gary Richardson, Johnson's Barbers
• Anton Rudolph, A's Laundromat
• Chrystal Thorne, Aegypto
• Mitchell Williams, Williams & White Agency
• Wayne Bass and Radri Woodson, Street Maintenance, Inc./SouthSide Kick LLC

A Community of Support

Mark Cheatam, Economic Development Manager for East Orange, expressed his gratitude for the program: "This workshop series reflects the city's commitment to fostering local business growth. Congratulations to the graduates, who are outstanding examples of East Orange's entrepreneurial spirit."

Graduates also shared their experiences:

• Anton Rudolph, owner of A's Laundromat: "This series was a game-changer for me. The insights and skills I've gained will help me lead my business to new heights."
• Mitchell Williams, co-founder of Williams & White Agency: "The support and guidance I received were invaluable. It helped me streamline my business and achieve UEZ Certification."
• Shavana Kundan, Everything Nice with Spice: "This program gave me practical tools to grow my business, serve the community better, and achieve UEZ Certification. I'm proud to have been part of it."

Looking Ahead

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The graduates are now well-positioned to make an even greater impact in East Orange, with many already completing their UEZ Certification. This milestone unlocks valuable tax incentives and resources to further expand their businesses and strengthen the local economy.

Thrive Leadership Institute extends its deepest gratitude to Mayor Ted Green, the East Orange City Council, Alycia Cohen, Director of the Office of Policy, Planning and Development, and JP, Director of the East Orange Public Library, for their support in making this program possible.

For more information about the Professional Development Workshop Series or to join the next cohort, please contact the Office of Economic Development at economic.development@eastorange-nj.gov or https://annadbanks.com/waitlist

Thrive Leadership Institute celebrates the graduates for their hard work and dedication and looks forward to seeing their continued success as leaders in East Orange's business community.