A year ago, the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce had partnered with Interise, a nonprofit focused on small business programs, to offer Enrich Delaware. Using Interise’s StreetWise curriculum, the program provides small business owners with the knowledge, know-how, and networks needed for business growth and expansion.

The initial cohort has completed the program and has received their certificates. 

Over the past year, these participants joined a group of Delaware-based business owners for interactive class sessions; peer mentoring groups; and learned from local experts in the fields of finance, marketing, and procurement. Participants completed the Enrich Delaware program each with a customized, three-year strategic growth plan.

“I am so proud of our initial cohort and all of the hard work that each of them put in to achieve their success. Each graduate has completed this program because – their heart is in their respective businesses and their businesses beat within their hearts. They not only demonstrated commitment to growing your business, and a commitment to enriching their own personal business acumen, but also a commitment and education to enriching Delaware’s entire business community, and in the process, their efforts are leading to an enriched and more diverse business economy that contributes to a level playing field for all throughout Delaware,” DEBCC Founder, President, and CEO Ayanna Khan said in a statement. “We also would like to thank our partners Interise, Wilmington Alliance, and the Small Business Development Center”.

“Addressing barriers to minority business growth and empowering minority business owners to add focus to working on their businesses, obtaining training and resources, and advancing the small business economic footprint is our passion here at the DEBCC,” Khan said in a statement. “By providing these much-needed services, EnrichDelaware! has not only strengthened the minority business community, but also advanced Delaware’s business sector at large. We are so thrilled be the first in launching this program within Delaware. We are looking forward to our next cohort. This educational program has been so valuable to the Delaware business community.”

Participants will continue to receive services from DEBCC partners at the Small Business Development Center through the Community Navigator Program.