NEW ORLEANS (press release) — Our Village United, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering resilient communities through culturally competent technical training and small business incubation, will conclude its Elevated Tour with its final stop in New Orleans. In partnership with Mastercard’s “In Solidarity’ Initiative and the BeyGOOD Foundation Black Parade Route, the event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at II Mercato in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District.
The tour, which launched in November 2023, has granted over $428,000 to small business owners who have gone through the 36-week Elevated program. Continuing to foster support for small businesses, the evening will feature a pitch competition, offering up to an additional $75,000 in grants to qualified Elevated enterprises. Additionally, the evening will feature a fireside conversation with TV Personality, Journalist and Producer Dana Blair and Our Village United’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon.
Elevated, powered by Mastercard, propels the BeyGOOD Foundation Black Parade Route small business owners across the country. Participants undergo a comprehensive entrepreneurial journey, beginning with Our Village United’s ELEVATE program. This phase includes virtual sessions with industry experts, one-to-one business champion coaching, wellness empowerment activities, Lunch & Learns, and networking opportunities. Following this participants transition to Mastercard’s 12-week Digital Doors Program, aimed at bolstering digital proficiency and fostering growth-oriented tools. To ensure steady elevation, Villagers receive 12 weeks of dedicated post-program support to ensure sustained success.
