by Jarquita Brown
The Higher Purpose Business Fellowship Program kicked off on March 24th with its Spring 2021 cohort. Higher Purpose Co (HPC) with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has expanded the Business Fellowship Program for entrepreneurs, farmers, and artists all across Mississippi. The fellowship is a seven-week program anchored by HPC’s culturally relevant curriculum, business growth support and funding network. During the first module of the fellowship’s orientation, many fellows expressed their excitement about being selected for the fellowship program. Many fellows shared with others their expectations and what they hope to gain from the program.
The first module, presented by Taliah Brown-McCoy, a food entrepreneur from Cleveland, talked to the fellows about personal leadership and what entrepreneurship means to one’s business and life. Throughout the fellowship program, the business fellows will learn everything from personal leadership and financing to pitch their business.
Business Fellowship Coordinator Angela Williams said she is thrilled about the statewide expansion. “I’m excited and ready to help the entrepreneurs move their business forward in the direction of growth and prosperity. The twenty business fellows we selected for the third cohort are versatile with businesses ranging from the education sector to the arts, their energy is amazing, and I can not wait to see what is in store for them.”
2021 Spring Higher Purpose Co Business Fellows
Brian Johnson, owner of Xclusive Wrapping LLC – Friars Point
Dr. Angela Clerk McDowell, owner of A Clear Mind – Clarksdale
Christopher Lewis, owner of Part-Time Gamers – Greenwood
Hugh and Alicia Robinson, owners of Lush Drinks and Vegan Eats – Greenville
Jaqueline Hannah, owner of Elise’s Place Adult Day Care -Indianola
Kamein Thomas, owner of Perfect Elements Event Decor – Cleveland
Oberlin Marshall, owner of Pearlfect Locs Industry -Southaven
Sharon Brown, owner of Happy Foods On-the-Go – Horn Lake
Tanisha Jenkins, owner of Nikki’s Home Cooked Delights – Horn Lake
Denesha Brown, owner of Art and Nerds – Columbia
Candace Chambers, owner of Educational Writing Services, LLC – Pearl
Deroll Barrett, owner of Wilbar Services, LLC – Jackson
Brittany Hart, owner of Halo’d by Hart – Jackson
Dr. Jasmine C. Hollinger, owner of Integrative Skin Care of Mississippi – Vicksburg
Henry Green, owner of Tasty Smoke, LLC – McComb
Bianca Foster, owner of Girls 2 Women Academy – Jackson
Chadrick Odie, owner of Noble Home Buyers, LLC – Jackson
Laura Stubbs, owner of Body in Balance Healthcare – Jackson
Dr. Angela Clerk McDowell, owner of A Clear Mind said, “One word I would use to describe this fellowship program is opportunity. It’s a great opportunity for me to be able to fellowship and network with so many exciting people, and I look forward to the experience.”
Deroll Barrett, owner of Wilbar Services, LLC of Jackson, said, “ I am excited about participating in the fellowship program, and I am really looking forward to collaborating with everyone, and also networking, and helping each other through this program.”
Williams added, “It’s so amazing to see the success and growth of the fellowship program and to see where the fellows are in their business. This new group is fun and full of high energy and so willing to learn, and I can not wait to see their growth throughout this cohort.”
To be considered a Higher Purpose Business Fellow, the entrepreneur must be an HPC Business Member, have a Black-owned for-profit business, person and business must reside in Mississippi, and it must be in its early stage or grow within HPC’s priority business sectors.
The priority business sectors include food, arts, housing, beauty, education, healthcare, and transportation.
Learn more about the Higher Purpose Business Membership and Fellowship by visiting HigherPurposeCo.org/#programs.
