We Rise: Celebrating the Freedom of Business Ownership
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.
That’s exactly what We Rise is about.
This January, 26 Black entrepreneurs completed our We Rise Business Accelerator — gaining tools, mentorship and capital readiness to grow their ventures right here in Arizona. Their success is our community’s success, and it’s part of a larger story: one where local economies become vehicles for justice, equity and self-determination.
Since 2020, Local First Arizona’s We Rise Business Accelerator has helped build a more inclusive and resilient economy by empowering Black entrepreneurs across the state. Over the course of six months, each We Rise participant completes 20 modules and more than 40 hours of training, learning everything from financial literacy and risk management to business plan writing and storytelling. Each participant also saves $1,000 during the program, which Local First matches with an additional $1,000 grant upon graduation — an early investment that builds confidence and financial resilience.
To date, We Rise has graduated 127 Black-owned businesses, with an astounding 91% still operating today. These entrepreneurs span industries — from food and wellness to education, design and tech — and together, they’re driving job creation, community investment and long-term economic growth.
Sheon Paige, Smell N Bomb
The impact is clear:
76% of graduates report business growth after completing the program
70 new jobs have been created by We Rise alumni
81% now bank locally, improving their access to capital and business services
But numbers only tell part of the story.
Evelia Davis’ restaurant ‘Latha’ was awarded a Bronze Medal at this year’s Devour Culinary Classic.
Behind every metric is a story of grit, transformation and possibility. Take Evelia Davis, founder of Latha and The Diaspora Collective, who turned a pop-up concept into a brick-and-mortar community hub. Beyond acquiring practical business skills and professional guidance, Davis attributes securing her Heritage Square “dream location” to behind-the-scenes advocacy by the We Rise team. “I wasn’t in the room for those conversations,” Davis recently remarked, “but I know they happened because of We Rise.”
Others, like Sheon Paige of Smell N Bomb, found clarity and confidence in their business identity. Paige refined her pricing strategy and now pitches to national brands like Marriott. Meanwhile, Antoinette Mendez of Mission 2 Transition pivoted her business model after discovering demand from educators, evolving her offerings into impactful professional development tools.
Each story is a reminder of how far a dream can go with the right tools, mentorship and network.
Antoinette Mendez of Mission 2 Transition at the 2024 We Rise Demo Day
Looking Ahead: Growing the Network
So far in 2025, We Rise has welcomed larger cohorts and a more engaged alumni network. Year-round workshops, meetups and shared resources ensure that every graduate continues to thrive long after their program ends. And while the size and scope of the program continue to grow, what remains constant is the original mission: to create lasting economic opportunity for Arizona’s Black entrepreneurs.
Get Involved
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, potential mentor or a supporter of local business, there’s a place for you in the We Rise community:
Apply to our next cohort
Volunteer your time
Make a donation
Follow us on social media and amplify our work
Visit the We Rise hub on the Local First website for updates, applications and additional ways to get involved. And most importantly, support Arizona’s Black-owned businesses whenever you can. Browse our We Rise Business Directory to shop local and shop with purpose.
Related Information:
We Rise Demo Day June 18, 2025
Join us as this year’s graduates pitch their businesses for a chance to win up to $17,500 in funding! Meet some of Arizona’s most inspiring Black entrepreneurs and connect with a growing ecosystem of business leaders, investors, and advocates.
Date: Wednesday, June 18
TIme: 6 - 8 p.m.
Location: 850 N 5th St, Suite 130, Phoenix, AZ
RSVP now and support Black business in Arizona.
Let’s rise — together.
