NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Urban League of Louisiana is launching the third cohort of its Women in Retail Accelerator Program, held in partnership with the National Urban League and sponsored by Walmart. The program is designed to strengthen women-owned retail businesses in Louisiana by offering training, mentorship, certification support, and access to supplier inclusion networks. The initiative aims to help these businesses grow, gain visibility, retain and create jobs, and transition from sole proprietorships to multi-employee firms.
From June 2 to August 5, 2025, the Urban League will provide a 7-session virtual accelerator program along with personalized counseling and support services to 10 selected businesses. Participants will receive guidance on WBE and MBE certification, training in bid preparation, access to mentor and peer partnerships, and resources for financial empowerment and capital access.
Interested businesses can find the full schedule, eligibility requirements, and application instructions below. The deadline to apply is May 19, 2025. Questions can be directed to Dr. Carla Antoine, Director of the Women’s Business Resource Center for the Greater New Orleans Region, at cantoine@urbanleaguela.org.
The accelerator sessions will be held virtually on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CST, except for the orientation on June 10, which will be held in person from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Urban League of Louisiana, 4640 S. Carrollton Avenue, Suite 110, New Orleans, LA 70119. Participants must attend all classes and meet regularly with an assigned Business Advisor.
Session dates are as follows:
- June 10: Orientation (in-person, 5:30–7:30 p.m.)
- June 17: Grow and Scale Your Retail Business
- June 24: Understanding How Distribution Deals Work
- July 1: Best Practices in Operations and Supply Chain Management
- July 8: Positioning Your Product in the Market
- July 15: Market Expansion and Exporting
- August 5: WIR Updates and Action Planning
Eligible applicants must be:
- For-profit small businesses at least 51% owned and operated by a woman
- Operating in Louisiana
- In the retail sector, offering products or services directly to consumers (including apparel, health and beauty, packaged goods, and similar areas)
- Selling goods or services produced by the business (not pass-through sales)
- In operation for at least two years prior to January 1, 2025
- Generating at least $75,000 in revenue in 2024
- Able to fully participate in the program and adhere to the schedule
Businesses selected for the program will be those prepared to grow their brands by completing the sessions, pursuing business certifications, bidding on contracts, and developing leadership capabilities.
Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. CST on Monday, May 19, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
Additional Urban League Training opportunities include:
- Introduction to UDA ConstructionOnline: Project Management Software will take place tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. and is hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana. This event is free to attend.
- Crew Management: Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining an All Star Team is scheduled for Thursday at 10:00 a.m. CDT. This event is free.
- Start Up! Louisiana Bootcamp (3-Part Training) begins Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. CDT. Attendance is free.
- Restaurant Accelerator Series – Session 1: Hiring Strategies for Food Businesses will be held on Monday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. This session is free.
- Restaurant Accelerator Series – Session 2: Setting Your Employees Up for Success takes place on Monday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. This session is free.
- QuickBooks for Beginners – Session 1: Foundations is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. CDT. It is free to attend.
- QuickBooks for Beginners – Session 2: Everyday Transactions and Financial Reports will be held Wednesday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. CDT. This event is free.
- How to Find and Successfully Bid on LADOTD Projects takes place Thursday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. This event is free.
- QuickBooks for Beginners – Session 3: Accounting Concepts & Maintenance Tasks is also scheduled for Thursday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. CDT. Attendance is free.
- Restaurant Accelerator Series – Session 3: Retention Strategies That Work will take place on Monday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. This event is free.
