Local First Arizona Hosts Annual We Rise Demo Day with Support from Arizona Financial to Advance Black-Owned Businesses
Images from the event here, credit to Local First Arizona.
Winner headshots attached.
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CONTACT: Michelle Lomas, michelle.lomas@req.co
Local First Arizona Hosts Annual We Rise Demo Day with Support from Arizona Financial to Advance Black-Owned Businesses
Arizona Financial Awards Annual Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant to Outstanding We Rise Graduate
PHOENIX, AZ – (June 23, 2026) – Local First Arizona celebrated another successful We Rise Demo Day, bringing together Black entrepreneurs from across the state to compete for funding and showcase the businesses they have built through the organization's six-month business accelerator program.
The annual Shark Tank-style event, presented with support from the Arizona Financial Foundation and Arizona Financial Credit Union, provides graduates of the We Rise Business Accelerator an opportunity to pitch their businesses in front of a panel of judges and compete for grant funding to help fuel future growth. This year's top honor, the $10,000 Arizona Financial Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant, was awarded to Be More Clean Hydrotherapy, continuing a tradition of investing in Arizona's next generation of Black-owned businesses. Created in memory of longtime Arizona Financial board member Kelvin Smith, the grant reflects his lasting commitment to small business owners and community impact.
Held on June 17 at the Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) Innovation Center in downtown Phoenix, six entrepreneurs took the stage to present their business plans and growth strategies. First, second, and third-place winners each received grant funding to support the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey:
• First Place: Elizabeth Joseph, Be More Clean Hydrotherapy. Be More Clean Hydrotherapy centers focus on reversing chronic illnesses through diet and lifestyle. Utilizing cutting-edge science and proven protocols, they address chronic digestive disorders, diabetes, and mold removal.
• Second Place: Chloe Johnson, Johnson & Company Landscaping & Renewal. Chloe Johnson co-leads Johnson & Company Landscaping & Renewal, a Black-owned, family-run business that provides landscaping services and creates pathways to employment and stability.
• Third Place: Ashley Dickerson, Married in Mocha. Ashley Dickerson is the founder of Married in Mocha, a full-service wedding management company advancing equity, connection and sustainability across Arizona’s wedding industry.
Last year's Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant was awarded to Agnes Adams, founder of Yond Institute of Learning in Goodyear. The vocational school provides affordable, flexible healthcare training programs designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the healthcare industry.
Since becoming a partner of Local First Arizona's We Rise Business Accelerator in 2021, Arizona Financial Foundation has supported the program through both financial sponsorship and hands-on business education. Arizona Financial team members work directly with cohort participants, providing guidance on business banking, financial management, lending opportunities, and strategies for long-term growth and sustainability.
"With Black business owners facing nearly triple the risk of capital-related hurdles, the We Rise initiative was launched to bridge that financial gap," stated Carmen Attikossie, Local First Arizona's senior small business development manager. "Our annual Demo Day represents the crucial intersection of readiness and possibility. These graduates present their visions with the professional acumen and assurance necessary to obtain tangible investment. Thanks to our collaboration with Arizona Financial, we are opening doors to funding and networks for entrepreneurs who have traditionally lacked such critical resources."
The $10,000 grant is named in honor of Kelvin Smith, a longtime Arizona Financial Credit Union board member, small business owner and community advocate who served on the credit union's board beginning in 1997. Established in 2024, the annual grant carries forward Smith's passion for entrepreneurship and his belief in the power of small businesses to strengthen local communities.
"Our team is honored to continue supporting the We Rise program and the incredible entrepreneurs it serves," said Amy Hysell, president and CEO of Arizona Financial. "Kelvin was a passionate advocate for small business owners and understood both the challenges and opportunities they face. Through this grant, we're proud to continue his legacy while helping create new opportunities for business owners who are making a meaningful impact in their communities."
As Arizona Financial Credit Union celebrates its 90th year of serving Arizona, supporting small businesses remains a key component of the credit union's commitment to strengthening local economies and creating pathways to financial success for individuals, families and entrepreneurs across the state.
For more information about Arizona Financial's community partnerships and grant opportunities, visit ArizonaFinancial.org/Foundation. To learn more about the We Rise Business Accelerator, visit LocalFirstAZ.com/We-Rise.
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About Arizona Financial Credit Union
Arizona Financial is a leading $3.9 billion not-for-profit financial institution, serving over 180,000 member-owners. Founded in 1936, we're dedicated to empowering individual consumers and small business owners with innovative financial solutions. From leading-edge mobile apps and self-service tools to competitive rates and comprehensive lending options, we're committed to simplifying banking. Forbes and Newsweek have recognized us as one of America's best credit unions for 2025 and 2026. We're proud to be an active community partner, supporting local venues like the Live Nation Theatre and providing grants to community nonprofits through Arizona Financial Foundation. With 20 branches across Arizona and access to a nationwide network of branches and ATMs through the CO-OP network, we're always within reach. Deposits are federally insured by the NCUA. Visit ArizonaFinancial.org.
About Local First Arizona
Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization fiercely dedicated to driving inclusive community and economic development throughout Arizona. Its work shapes the future of Arizona by advocating that every individual and community deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that entrepreneurship is at the core of any lasting economy. In rural, Tribal, suburban and urban communities across the state, Local First Arizona is delivering resources to ensure a future focused on economic opportunity for all.