Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

We are beyond proud to celebrate our President & CEO, Jay Bailey for being named one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians for 2025! Jay stands alongside some of Georgia's most impactful leaders, with his vision and leadership consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We’re honored to have him championing and leading RICE. We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Andre Dickens named Georgian of the Year, for his visionary leadership and dedication to making Atlanta a beacon of opportunity. His leadership continues to ignite progress across our beloved city and state. A special salute to Mayor Shirley Franklin and Dan T. Cathy as they are inducted into the Georgia Trend Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition of their lasting legacies and monumental contributions. To all this year’s honorees, congratulations from the RICE family and thank you for your leadership, service, and commitment to progress. Together, each of you are building a stronger, brighter Georgia. Be sure to read the special January issue of Georgia Trend Magazine, celebrating their incredible 40th anniversary! Congratulations to Georgia Trend on four decades of excellence and impactful storytelling. Read here: https://lnkd.in/e7QSjygX

2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary—a year of bold actions and transformative moments that have laid the groundwork for lasting impact. At the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs we’ve witnessed the power of uncommon access in motion, where business owners are not just surviving but thriving, creating success that inspires us all. From hosting visionary leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris and our Georgia delegation to launching groundbreaking initiatives like our Retail Readiness Academy and celebrating Stakeholders pitching at Walmart’s Open Call, this year has proven one thing: Readiness + Uncommon Access = Growth and community is the heartbeat of our collective progress. With our Stakeholders and partners, together we are shaping an ecosystem where possibilities are boundless, and the results speak volumes. Each story, pitch, and connection fuels our collective mission to empower, innovate, and lead with purpose. We are truly grateful for each of you. Take a moment to celebrate with us as we reflect on some of 2024’s Top Moments at RICE. Here’s to the momentum we’ve built and the future we continue to create together! Stay tuned...2025 is going to be BIG! 😉 #ThisistheRICEWay #UncommonAccess #RussellCenter Jay Bailey Shawn M. Cumberbatch-Graham, CPA Monica Delores Hooks, MBA, EDP

Unlock the Power of AI for Your Business! Are you ready to elevate your small business with AI? Join the Small Business Administration, (SBA), on Tuesday, December 10, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design in Atlanta, GA. What to Expect: How to start using AI for your small business. The impact of AI on today's and tomorrow's workforce. AI tools for marketing and e-commerce growth. Don't miss this chance to explore the future of AI and learn practical strategies to grow your business! Register now https://lnkd.in/eehcV93p U.S. Small Business Administration #AISummit #SmallBusinessGrowth #AIForBusiness #MarketingTools #AtlantaEvents #FutureOfWork

Ready to Accelerate Your Business Growth? Charmaine West-Gibbs, Founder of Essence Tree and proud RICE Stakeholder, shares how the Supply Chain Accelerator Program at the Russell Center transformed her business. This could be YOUR story next! Why Apply? - Unlock the strategies to scale your business. - Gain insights from top industry experts. - Build powerful connections to grow your network. Applications are now open! Be part of a program designed to help YOU thrive in the supply chain space. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/ejh_Ydiy #SupplyChainSuccess #RussellCenter #BusinessGrowth #EssenceTreeJourney #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #AtlantaEntrepreneurs

Don’t miss the Truist Community Corner Holiday Pop-Up until 12/24/24, featuring RICE Stakeholder Beautiful Curly Me—an Atlanta-based toy and media company dedicated to inspiring confidence and self-love in young girls. Location: The Battery Atlanta, 800 Battery Ave. SE, Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30339 This weekend’s hours: Friday, 12/06/24 2:00pm - 6:00pm Saturday, 12/07/24 12:00pm - 6:00pm Sunday, 12/08/24 10:00am - 6:00pm Stop by, shop, and share the love! Visit them online at: www.beautifulcurlyme.com #BeautifulCurlyMe #SupportBlackBusiness #HolidayPopUp #CommunityImpact

Join us for an exclusive Supply Chain Accelerator (SCA) Mixer featuring Glenda Stinson, SCA Program Facilitator, alongside alumni and prospective applicants. What to expect: - Meet and connect with SCA alumni who will share their experiences and insights. - Learn firsthand how the program has impacted their professional growth. - Get answers to your questions in a relaxed, engaging setting. This is a unique opportunity to explore the value of the SCA program as you consider applying for the upcoming cohort. Don’t miss out! Secure your spot! Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gZHztjMi #SupplyChain #ProfessionalGrowth #Networking #SCAMixer #CareerDevelopment

We are thrilled to announce that applications for the Supply Chain Accelerator (SCA) at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) are now open! This immersive program is specifically designed for Black entrepreneurs ready to scale their businesses and secure opportunities with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Important Dates: Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024: SCA Applications Open Thursday, December 5, 2024: SCA Alumni/Applicant Mixer Tuesday December 17th, 2024: Application Deadline Week of January 6th, 2025: SCA Applicant Interviews January 15th, 2025: Applicant Decision Notifications Why Join the Supply Chain Accelerator? Expert-Led, Individualized, Training: Learn from supply chain leaders, including experts from The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, and more. Tailored Support: Receive personalized guidance to address your business’s specific needs. Unmatched Access: Engage in exclusive networking events with procurement buyers from major corporations. Contracting Opportunities: Gain insights into procurement and access direct funding to support your business growth. Program Benefits: Individualized Attention: This cohort will consist of less than 20 Stakeholders, providing a small, intimate learning experience. Comprehensive training on procurement foundations, strategic planning, operational excellence, and more. One-on-one mentorship and technical assistance to prepare you for corporate and government contracts. Opportunities for contract acquisition through RICE’s marketplace and strategic partnerships. Pro bono services from corporate partners, reimbursement for business certifications, and participation in Fortune 500 Company Opportunity Matching. Eligibility Criteria: - In business for at least 12 months, generating a minimum of $100,000 in revenue over the last 24 months. - Commitment to attending all Supply Chain Accelerator program sessions and completing deliverables. APPLY HERE: https://lnkd.in/ejh_Ydiy Deadline: Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, 11:59 PM ET

Reshare Opportunity: Tech for an Equitable Future aims to remove barriers for underrepresented founders by providing their companies 12 months of free access to the Braze platform and supporting services. Braze is a comprehensive customer engagement platform that powers relevant and memorable experiences between consumers and the brands they love. Through a new partnership with BET+, this opportunity will provide select participants of the program with 1:1 mentorship, access to a BET+ branding masterclass, free email advertising, and more. Qualification Criteria: - Underrepresented-founded companies. - Bootstrapped business or less than $30M in venture funding; - Under 100 employees; and - Compatible SDK and appropriate Engineering and Marketing resources Applications are open through January 17, 2025. https://lnkd.in/eYJkemte #Technology #TechFunding #TechOpportunities

Happy Thanksgiving from the Russell Center! As we celebrate this joyous day, we want to take a moment to thank our incredible community of entrepreneurs, partners, and supporters. Your resilience, creativity, and passion inspire us every day. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, reminding us of the strength in our community and the power of dreaming big. To all of you building, creating, and striving toward your goals—keep going. The best is yet to come, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Wishing you a time filled with love and laughter! Warmest wishes, The Russell Center Team #HappyHolidays #CommunityStrength #Entrepreneurship #RICEWay #KeepBuilding

Opportunity Re-share: Register FREE for Atlanta’s Small Business Expo | December 11th at the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart! Are you struggling to find the right vendors or connect with like-minded small business owners? Looking to learn from industry expert leaders during powerful keynote presentations? You will find them all and more at The Small Business Expo FOR FREE. Here’s what you can expect: ✅ Discover Cutting-Edge Solutions: Explore the latest products and services essential for your business operations. ✅ Network with Industry Leaders: Build valuable relationships with other business owners. ✅Enhance Your Business Strategies: Attend insightful workshops and seminars led by industry experts. 🎟️ Register now and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to grow your business. https://lnkd.in/d7kHvsx This event is exclusively designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. #smallbusiness #expo #businessgrowth #businessnetworking