ARG Cultivators Community’s SEE ME Program Introduces Cohort II

ARG SEE ME Program 2021 Cohort

ARG Cultivators Community, an Arizona non-profit, announces its second cohort of the SEE ME (Social and Economic Equity for Minority Enterprises) Program, along with two other programs, to bridge the gap for black business ownership across Arizona.

The Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) of Arizona Community Foundation funded the SEE ME Program again. This collaborative effort between BPI and ARG Cultivators Community continues to raise visibility and opportunities for Black-owned businesses in Arizona.

The SEE ME Program launched in 2021 to support the economic empowerment of black-owned businesses across the state. The program provides resources, support, and mentorship to the executives in the cohort. Each business receives $16,500 in grant funds to invest in the growth of their businesses over a year. This year another cohort of twenty business owners will undergo the transformational 12-month business development program.

The cohort boasts a range of industries, many of which seek to secure contracts with corporations and government entities.

SEE ME Program Cohort II Executives:

• 31 Marketplace, LLC – La’Vista Jones
• Alla Herbs – CiCi Clarecia Colbert
• Aurora Health and Wellness LLC – Natassia Williamson
• BeFitnomenal LLC – Jaquan Newsome
• Brownstone Spa Stacy – Best-Nervis
• Conscious Gear – Charlotte Bowens
• Gametime Recruiting & Consulting – Rodney Cox
• Girl, Get Your Body Fit – Jaiona Head
• Holy Hands Painters LLC – Michele Fort
• Kings Glow LLC – Adrienne Tippett
• LodgeWell Publishing LLC – Guy Lodge
• Mission 2 Transition™ – Antoinette Mendez
• Ms.C’s Home-Style – Pamela Coleman
• Project Roots – Dionne Washington
• Shekinah Smoke Sauces LLC – Paul and Quantasia Ford
• StrongHer.me Coaching & Consulting – Kendra Tillman
• Swans Pick – John Swan
• Sweeter Juice Skin – Olunife Ofomata
• The Doyenne Agency – Nadia Brown
• Zybrena Fine Art LLC – Zybrena Porter

Through the generous grant and in kind support of JPMorgan Chase, ARG Cultivators Community also launched the SEE ME Pathway Program this year, creating a space to support all applicants with business development, marketing services, and coaching opportunities. The non-profit kicked off both programs with a 6-week business accelerator, supporting upwards of fifty or more businesses each week. The JPMorgan Chase team facilitated three of the twelve workshops.

“Our goal is to provide business owners with the tools, education, community, and mentorship to better scale their businesses, equipping them with the resources needed to thrive,” says Angela Garmon, Founder of ARG Cultivators Community. “Closing the wealth gap doesn’t stop here. It starts by cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset of the next generation of leaders.”

In efforts to help young leaders create opportunities for their futures, ARG Cultivators Community launched SEE ME Teens, a 9-month program to prepare future black leaders for entrepreneurship. The pilot program began in October.

The ARG Cultivators Community extends heartfelt appreciation to its sponsors, partners, and mentors whose support is pivotal in making these programs a reality.