Business development program accelerates economic mobility across Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties

Tonight, 15 entrepreneurs from across the Lansing Region will celebrate the end of an eight-week journey of business growth with the conclusion of the ninth cohort of One and All, a national award-winning inclusive entrepreneurship initiative created in 2020 by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).

“These One and All graduates will contribute greatly to the economic development of our region,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “They are strengthening the future foundation of our region with their mainstreet and tech small business concepts, innovative ideas and services, employing people and paying taxes. They are opening up brick and mortar stores, supporting other local businesses and adding to our booming entrepreneurial ecosystem across all three counties.”

This celebration graduation event will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. at the AC Hotel Lansing University Area. Graduates, mentors, and LEAP staff will be available for interviews.

Throughout the program, the entrepreneurs and small-business owners were immersed in an intensive experience of business and communication training, coaching, mentoring and networking. Upon graduation, participants received a small seed investment.

One and All Cohort 9 graduates include:

• Lara Brown
• Tiffany Walker
• Erin Meadows
• Geoph Epsen
• Teriah Fleming
• Sheree Huntley
• Mia Cassell
• Isaac Stewart
• Leticia Chambers
• Keyera Allen
• Sharice Cooper

Four additional participants – Kimani Williams, Aurora Lemieux-Mckissic, Koren King, and Niko Quesado – were funded through the Lansing Promise, a college scholarship program helping young people to achieve their potential. This is another way that LEAP shows its commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering entrepreneurship, contributing to the ongoing development of our region’s entrepreneurial pipeline.

One and All mentors provide expert guidance and insight, help mentees clarify goals, identify strategies to advance their ideas and navigate challenging situations, and will continue to support their mentees after graduation. One and All program mentors are established professionals with rich life experience who hail from various business industries, including higher education, entrepreneurship support organizations, and state and local economic development; many are entrepreneurs themselves.

“Lack of access to critical resources like funding is a common obstacle to success, especially for the underrepresented populations the One and All program supports,” said Tony Willis, Chief Equity Development Officer at LEAP. “We’re proud to provide the scaffolding these entrepreneurs and small business owners need to make their dreams a reality. They’re bringing the tenacity and ideas. We’re just connecting them with resources to make it happen.”

Learn more about the entrepreneurs and the program here.

###

About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all--working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.