Mayor Van R. Johnson II | City of Savannah
Mayor Van R. Johnson II | City of Savannah
The City of Savannah has recently welcomed the inaugural class of Launch Savannah, a new business accelerator program. This initiative is offered by the Economic Development Department in partnership with The Creative Coast and the Small Business Assistance Corporation.
Launch Savannah is a 12-week intensive, in-person series designed to provide an elevated business education experience to participants. It aims to support small, local, and minority-owned businesses. The program was developed following a recommendation from the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Task Force.
Applications for Launch Savannah opened on April 30 during the 2024 Mayor’s Small Business Conference. Over 100 applications were received. Applicants were required to submit a pitch video about their business venture or concept for review by a panel.
The inaugural class consists of 15 entrepreneurs:
- Mahogany Bowers (The Y Bar)
- Omar Akbar (Serve N Serve Express Services)
- Amber Epperson (The Scented Vine)
- Iman Atiba (IOA Enterprises, LLC)
- Charlese McCoy-Hall (Sweets and Treats)
- Jennifer Gogo (Just Safety Training)
- Todd Rhodes (Royal Rhodes Lawn Service)
- Andrea Flowers (Pamper & Play Kids Spa)
- Shamela Townsel (Global Groove Dance and Fitness)
- Deborah Brown-Pullin (Staging By Design)
- Tamekia Lemon (Agape & Trinity Healthcare Services)
- Will Hornsby (Kapala)
- Dr. Jamal Lawrence (Harvest Health MD)
- S. Kathrine McKee (Vibe Check)
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