Congratulations We Rise Graduates!
Well, time sure flies! We’re coming up on the second graduation for the We Rise program – a no-fee program designed specifically for Arizona’s Black entrepreneurs. During this recurring six-month program, participants get a comprehensive education on business finance, business model development and planning, networking, and storytelling. Each participant is also partnered with a mentor who can help answer questions and work through the challenges associated with being a Black business owner.
The second group to go through the We Rise program is made up of a diverse group of businesses. Meet just a few and join us in celebrating them all at the graduation ceremony on January 29, 2022.
Erica Maxwell, AHA Alliance
A perfect blend of education and business, AHA Alliance provides professional development, keynote speakers and facilitation services to educational agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serving marginalized communities. Equity is their main focus and they stay up to date on current issues and how to best help individuals work toward the best outcome.
AHA Alliance is owned by Erica Maxwell, who has an extensive background in education. As the former first associate superintendent of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Arizona Department of Education, Ms. Maxwell has more than 25 years of service as a certified educator. She is also the co-founder of the annual Arizona Multicultural Education Conference. After starting her own consulting agency, she applied for We Rise to increase her experience with finance and marketing.
“We Rise really assisted me with thinking through the fundamentals of business from A to Z. I am able to build a brand with a solid foundation.”
Evelia Davis, Diaspora Collective
The Diaspora Collective is an online and in-person retail experience that sells items that are handmade and designed by Black artisans from Africa and the African diaspora. Selling jewelry, fabric, soaps, and home decor, these items hold up in value as being authentic, energetic, modern, empowering, and community-minded.
Owner Evelia Davis first fell in love with Africa and the African diaspora in an African American Studies class at the University of California at Berkeley. She has since visited Africa multiple times, feeling a deep connection to her heritage, and is dedicated to changing the narrative around the African diaspora. Using her 30 years of experience, she intends to add a community gathering space, restaurant and bar to the Diaspora Collective.
“We Rise provides black-owned businesses with the information, tools, resources, and network that black entrepreneurs need to build sustainable businesses. They empower the participants to elevate themselves, each other, and the communities they serve.”
Safiyyah Johnson, SoFreshSmells
SoFreshSmells was born out of a desire to create a safe product that not only makes a difference in an individual’s life but also in the lives of their family and community. SoFreshSmells creates affordable, all-natural (and we mean all!) products for the home, body, car and pet. The products are handmade using locally grown and purchased essential oils, botanicals, and ingredients from the earth. With these products, you know exactly what is going into them and you're supporting a company that’s doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint.
Owner Safiyyah Johnson, a recent retiree after a 29-year-long career as a teacher, decided to turn her focus to health. She chose to slow down and start paying attention to what she put in and on her body. She built this business not only to share her knowledge but also to create a legacy for her daughters.
“The We Rise program got me engaged and thinking more about the finances of running my business and making sure my pricing is right in order to sustain and survive. I am walking away with a working business plan and pitch deck presentation for future investors and grant funding.”
Interested in learning more? Check out the We Rise website or read about the inaugural We Rise cohort. Prepare to be amazed!