Beyond Business Basics: How Dr. Janet Tate-Brown’s ‘We Rise’ Journey Sparked a Family Tradition of Black Entrepreneurship
From left to right: Kimber Lanning | Local First Arizona, Jacob Brown | We Rise Graduate, Teniqua Broughton, M.Ed. | The State of Black Arizona
Discovering We Rise: A Chance Opportunity
Dr. Janet Tate-Brown, DNP, a board-certified nurse practitioner with years of experience in a hospital’s emergency department, excelled at patient care. However, when it came to business ownership, she felt like she needed a bit more guidance. That’s when she discovered We Rise, a no-fee business accelerator offered by Local First Arizona for the state’s community of Black business owners. The program turned out to be exactly what she needed.
Tate-Brown started the six-month program in January 2024 and graduated in July. Reflecting on how she first heard about We Rise, she laughs as she recalls the urgency of the moment.
One day, upon arriving at the office, one of her business partners insisted she sign up immediately — it was the last day to register for that cohort.
“I was like, ‘Now, now?’” Tate-Brown said. “And that’s how I found out about We Rise.”
Dr. Janet Tate-Brown, DNP
An Integrated Approach to Healthcare
Along with two partners, Tate-Brown owns Uncharted Healthcare, an integrated medical clinic in Goodyear that addresses both physical and mental health needs. They opened their clinic in late 2022 and celebrated a grand opening in February 2023. By 2024, the clinic had significantly grown.
“When we had to get our state license, they said we were one of the very few in the state of Arizona,” Tate-Brown shared. “You just don’t have that type of integrated business together.”
A Holistic Approach to Business Building
Although Uncharted Healthcare was already operational with a business plan in place, Tate-Brown saw the program as an opportunity to deepen her knowledge.
Her business partner had developed the initial business plan, but Tate-Brown recognized the importance of understanding the process.
“As a partner, I need to know the process itself. I thought it would be very helpful just in case something happens. I need to know how to run this business as well,” she explained.
Once classes began, Tate-Brown discovered the program’s benefits extended beyond the traditional nuts and bolts of running a business. Alongside coursework in business model development and financial models, the We Rise approach integrates modules exploring the challenges associated with being a Black business owner, peer networking and optimizing fund-raising pitches. “The guest speakers who came in — I didn’t expect that, but it was really cool because it gave us another resource to tap into.”
Tate-Brown formed lasting bonds with other members of her cohort. They maintain a group text from the program, and she has monthly lunches with two women she met there.
“We just kind of clicked,” she said.
Jacob Brown
Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Inspired by her positive experience, Tate-Brown encouraged her children, Jacob and Jessica, to join the program. Jacob, who owns a vinyl and print business, is about to graduate, while Jessica, who runs an esthetician business, begins her journey this month.
Jessica Brown has been eager to learn more about the financial side of business ownership, drawing inspiration from her mother’s stories.
“It’s been a positive thing I’ve heard about for some time now,” Jessica said of her mom’s experience. “I want to make sure I learn the ins and outs. I still don’t even know what I’m missing.”
A Family Legacy of Entrepreneurship
Tate-Brown sees this as a proud moment—three business owners in one family, all benefiting from a program designed to uplift and empower their community.
Related Information
To learn more about Local First Arizona’s We Rise business accelerator, click here.
Interested in applying for the We Rise Business Accelerator for early-stage Black entrepreneurs? We Rise is now accepting applications for our 2025 cohorts! Join our interest list and be the first to receive the latest updates!