When Nuru ZeKariyahh blends a smoothie or acai bowl at his Tempe shop, Add-On Smoothies, he’s serving more than fresh fruit. He’s blending nearly two decades of learning, a passion for holistic health and a life story that began in an unexpected place: a federal prison horticulture program.

We’re excited to share the latest news from our wave-making We Rise alums! From innovative projects to personal milestones, these enterprising business owners are moving, shaking and making their mark on Arizona’s thriving business landscape.

Juneteenth is a time to honor emancipation — and to ask ourselves what freedom looks like today. For many Black Arizonans, it means reclaiming power through business ownership, building generational wealth and shaping the future of our local economy.

At Local First, we’ve always believed that the success of locally owned businesses creates a strong and thriving Arizona economy. But one of the biggest challenges for local entrepreneurs has long been access to capital — especially in Arizona, where community banking resources are limited. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to break down financial barriers and build new pathways for funding that empower business owners to grow, hire and create a lasting impact on Arizona’s communities.

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.

Tucson-based Berry Cultured celebrates cultural diversity with a line of toys, paper products and party kits that allow kids to experience cultural norms and values in a fun way.

“What’s different about our products is we add a cultural twist to it,” says founder Heidi Calderon. “When I grew up, the people who made up my world were not in the toy aisle. I wanted to change that narrative.”

Less than a year and a half after Charlotte Bowens experienced a health scare, she was crossing the finish line of a 50-mile race, setting things in motion for Conscious Gear, a brand of outdoor wear she founded to accommodate larger bodies.

“There’s plenty of us at the back of the pack who are fat, and we buy this gear that a lot of the time doesn’t fit us,” Bowens said. “I felt called to just maybe try.”

First Things First fosters school readiness and healthy development for children from birth to age 5. Through strategic investments in state and local programs, they ensure that children are well-prepared for success from the moment they step into their kindergarten classrooms.

By supporting local bookstores, you're not only enriching your reading experience but also nurturing the ecosystem within your community. These cherished establishments provide vital spaces for authors, artists, and readers to connect and thrive. They foster a love for literature, nurture emerging voices, and ensure that the magic of storytelling continues to inspire generations to come.

Despite the growth of the Black community in Arizona, Black-owned businesses only account for 1% of all businesses in Phoenix, making them difficult to find and support. As Juneteenth approaches, here are a variety of Black-owned businesses you can support from Phoenix to Tucson to Safford and beyond.

Tucson yoga teacher Jameela Hill gained confidence to expand her business through Local First Arizona’s We Rise program.

“I've had the confidence to go after opportunities that I would've never considered before,” Hill says.

The no-cost, 6-month accelerator empowers Black Arizona entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to grow and prosper, with mentors to guide their progress.

Tucson business owners are encouraged to visit an info session April 13 and apply.

“Thanks to our partnership with the Maricopa Career Institute, starting today, D Squared Homes for the Homeless has space in Phoenix for volunteers to come to help us create sleeping mats for the homeless community,” says the CEO of D Squared Homes for the Homeless, Juan Te Dailey.

After meeting through Local First Arizona’s We Rise Accelerator, two local businesses, The Maricopa Career Institute and D Squared Homes For The Homeless, decided to pool their resources and have entered into a partnership with a common goal of continuing to uplift underserved populations.

We Rise participants Mission 2 Transition and McKnight Educational Consulting for College Admissions (MECCA) partnered to teach youth about the college admission process at the Urban Experience Conference hosted by the Youth World Education Project on February 18.

Mission 2 Transition facilitated an interactive mock-admission simulation for students and parents. The purpose of the simulation was to create awareness of the many factors considered in college admission decisions. MECCA followed up the simulation by providing students and parents with grade-level-specific checklists of the actions students and parents should be taking to be prepared for the transition out of high school.  

On February 28, 2023, Local First’ We Rise businesses, current and alumni, met for the first quarterly We Rise Mixer of the year.

The We Rise business accelerator meets virtually every other Wednesday for six months. At the request of the alumni, the We Rise program holds quarterly mixers to strengthen the sense of community and foster collaboration.

The Fifth Cohort of the Local First’ We Rise Accelerator began the program last Saturday. These twenty-two businesses will spend the next six months acquiring the knowledge and developing the skills, habits, tools and resources to help propel them to the next level.

Local First We Rise Alum, Tiesha Harrison, will collaborate with the McCain Institute and the City of Phoenix to raise awareness about domestic violence and teen online safety through art.