Media Contact: Azania Herron
aherron@zajapr.com
980-272-1804
CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 11, 2024 – City Startup Labs (CSL), a nonprofit committed to developing entrepreneurial talent and workplace readiness among justice-impacted individuals, celebrated ten years of impact and plans for growth over a breakfast celebration at the Beau Monde Collector’s Room on Freedom Drive on October 10. The event marked one decade in business and brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, members of the CSL family and supporters. Poet Kuram Murrain opened and closed the event.
From its first program for Black male millennials to develop new ventures, to its latest entrepreneurship and workforce readiness programs for justice-impacted individuals, City Startup Labs is working to address socioeconomic mobility among those who have typically been on the sidelines of new startup activity and career 21st Century career opportunities.
City Startup Labs was initially launched in Charlotte, NC in 2014 to create a new class of entrepreneurs by addressing the lack of entrepreneurial talent and capacity among young Black men. Today, CSL leads two flagship programs designed for justice-impacted individuals, the ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) which provides training and support for new startup activity, and Restorative Pathways, a reentry workforce readiness that helps develop valued-added employees. CSL works with Advocate/Atrium Healthcare, a leading area Fair Chance employer, and has placed over 100 new teammates on the path to careers in the healthcare field.
“At City Startup Labs, we’re particularly interested in the development of three asset classes: human, social and economic capital,” said City Startup Labs Founder and Executive Director Henry Rock. “Making changes in the lives of the people that we serve within these categories then allows us to hopefully change their socio-economic outcomes, which can accrue benefits to us all.”
CSL programs are robust, accelerated, and disciplined in developing entrepreneurial talent, new venture creation and deployment for high-demand careers that build new economic activity and income stability. Each program participant is equipped through an effective model of leading-edge skills training, hands-on instruction, support and mentorship, career building and community engagement.
Tajze Johnson, a participant in the first CSL cohort, says the organization was crucial in providing the foundation for his entrepreneurial work. Johnson is now the founder of Transcend Occupational Therapy Solutions, PLLC, owner of an e-commerce business A Million Miles Services, and a recent doctorate graduate in occupational therapy. “City Startup Labs played a pivotal role in shaping my approach to both entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship,” said Johnson. “As part of the inaugural class, I gained valuable tools, resources, and connections that helped me not only build my business acumen, but to also see the value of innovation within existing organizations. The program fostered a mindset that encouraged me to be proactive and think creatively, whether leading a venture or contributing from within a company.”
Gensie Baker, an early REEP graduate, Owner, Designer and Creative Director of ReEntry by Design shared, “The most valuable aspect of my experience with City Startup Labs was the blend of hands-on training and expert mentorship. The program’s focus on business planning, marketing, and strategy development equipped me with essential tools to grow ReEntry by Design effectively. However, personalized guidance from mentors like REEP Director Travis, Founder and Executive Director Henry Rock, and Operations Director Megan truly stood out. Their insights and support were crucial in refining my approach, building confidence, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.”
Alvin Truesdale, a graduate of Restorative Pathways, is an environmental services employee at Atrium Health who has been promoted to serve in a new more challenging capacity in a few weeks. “A lot of times in life, men and women find themselves at a crossroad,” said Truesdale. “We move forward with the hope that God will make a way out of no way. That he will place someone or something in our path. That for me, in part, was CSL and all the wonderful people that I’ve had the pleasure to meet and build with. I cannot say enough good things about that Godsent organization.”
Up next, City Startup Labs will launch ReConnex, an expansion of REEP. ReConnex will provide specialized training to a team of individuals who will learn how to deliver tech support and customer service for digital devices and products, as well as how to manage and operate a cooperatively owned social venture. Also, lookout for their start of a new Toastmasters Club for formerly incarcerated individuals in January 2025.
Learn more about City Startup Labs by visiting citystartuplabs.com.
