{"id":226,"date":"2021-11-02T13:00:05","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T18:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.org\/rock-it-lab-new\/2021\/11\/02\/the-rock-it-lab-kicks-off-with-the-first-class"},"modified":"2021-11-02T13:00:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T18:00:05","slug":"the-rock-it-lab-kicks-off-with-the-first-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cals.org\/rock-it-lab\/2021\/11\/02\/the-rock-it-lab-kicks-off-with-the-first-class\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rock It! Lab kicks off with the first class"},"content":{"rendered":"

On October 17, the Rock It! Lab officially inaugurated the first class of entrepreneurs. The class includes individuals with businesses that run the gamut from simply an idea to those who already have a full-fledged business and want to take their ideas to the next level.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The 2021 Rock It! Lab class of entrepreneurs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you’re not familiar with the Rock It! Lab, it is a collaboration between CALS and Advancing Black Entrepreneurship that helps aspiring business owners within under-resourced communities as they walk the path of entrepreneurship. The program is located in the Cox Building, where there are three main spaces that entrepreneurs can use to help grow their business \u2013 on the first floor, is the River Shop where entrepreneurs who have finished products can sell their wares, down stairs is the 501 Makers Space which serves to provide an area for artists and clothing designers to work and create, and the second floor is the Village Coworking Space where entrepreneurs can conduct meetings or use it as a general office space.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nathan James addressing the class, along with Benito Lubazibwa, founder of ABE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I wish you all could have been at the kickoff last night for the group of entrepreneurs selected for RIL\u2019s first Incubator program. I’ve been trying to put into words how the event ‘felt,’ the energy, the passion, the gratitude, the hope, all the aspirations of the amazing people who were there because they want to make a difference and know we can help.”<\/p>\n

Nathan James
\nDeputy Executive Director of
\nTechnology & Collection Innovation<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This class represents a variety of industries, including more tangible businesses like food makers, artists and jewelers, as well as service providers like the growing industry of home healthcare, cleaning services and even athlete marketing. Each “class” requires a six-month commitment as they go through the mentorship program.\u00a0We can’t wait to follow this group on their journey and see how they progress. We wish them the best of luck!<\/p>\n

The full 2021 class:<\/h2>\n

Tonya Smith<\/span><\/b>
\nBridging the Gap Adult Care and Daycare<\/p>\n

Lisa Buckner<\/span><\/b>
\nMama’s Homemade Pie Shop<\/p>\n

Lakeisha Sharpley<\/span><\/b>
\nLux and Soul LLC.<\/p>\n

Hezekiah Pierce<\/span><\/b>
\nHELPERS LLC<\/p>\n

Corey Nelson<\/span><\/b>
\nChicago Flamin Grill<\/p>\n

Marie Rahmaan<\/span><\/b>
\nRashawn\u2019s Cleaning Service, LLC.<\/p>\n

Natalie Harris<\/span><\/b>
\nSugar Joint Bakery<\/p>\n

Nicole Wilson<\/span><\/b>
\nNatural Joy by Nicole Janae LLC.<\/p>\n

Cheryl Humphrey<\/span><\/b>
\nPerfecting The Gift, LLC. dba Candy Butta<\/p>\n

Maria Aguilar<\/span><\/b>
\nMoontlali<\/p>\n

Maria Barrero<\/span><\/b>
\nSPACES 2 LOVE<\/p>\n

Vivian Brittenum<\/span><\/b>
\nRock City Staffing Agency<\/p>\n

Charmaine Cook<\/span><\/b>
\nYour Fashion Modest<\/p>\n

Jeanette Patterson<\/span><\/b>
\nRoyal Mantles LLC.<\/p>\n

Troy Hill<\/span><\/b>
\nYoung Athlete Elite Marketing (Y.A.E.M.)<\/p>\n

Lamont McCarther<\/span><\/b>
\nMcCarther n Sons Services<\/p>\n

Lorin Calhoun<\/span><\/b>
\nCreative Attributes<\/p>\n

J’Tara Lockhart<\/span><\/b>
\nLockedhart Eyewear<\/p>\n

Tiffiney Sims<\/span><\/b>
\nChef by Reservations<\/p>\n

Yarely Lopez<\/span><\/b>
\nChapix<\/p>\n

Shana Ricks<\/span><\/b>
\nThe Plant Boutique<\/p>\n

Shayla Henderson<\/span><\/b>
\n\u00c4n tr\u0101<\/p>\n

Naomi Lalonde<\/span><\/b>
\nBalance Body & Sole<\/p>\n

Sergio Valdivia<\/span><\/b>
\nSergio Valdivia Art<\/p>\n

Sara Drew\u00a0<\/span><\/b>
\nBusiness name TBD<\/p>\n

Lela Belleton<\/span><\/b>
\nLewks By Elle<\/p>\n

Rashanna Buford<\/span><\/b>
\nRa’Elles Ice Queen Treats<\/p>\n

Chyna Nellon<\/span><\/b>
\nCultural Immersion Media LLC.<\/p>\n

LaWonda Brooks<\/span><\/b>
\nSista Girl\u2019s Seasoned\u00a0Vinegars<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On October 17, the Rock It! Lab officially inaugurated the first class of entrepreneurs. The class includes individuals with businesses that run the gamut from simply an idea to those who already have a full-fledged business and want to take their ideas to the next level.<\/p>\n

If you’re not familiar with the Rock It!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1010,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[24,22,31],"class_list":["post-226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rock-it-lab","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-ril","tag-rock-it-lab"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Rock It! Lab kicks off with the first class - Rock It! 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