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Date: 6/14/2023
SPRINGFIELD — Interise, a national nonprofit organization, has partnered with the Urban League of Springfield and Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts to offer NextStage Minority Business Entrepreneur Academy and NextStage Accelerator powered by Interise.
Since 2004, Interise has assisted with the growth of minority and women-owned small businesses, among others. Through its StreetWise “MBA” program, small business owners are provided with business knowledge, management tools and the networks necessary to grow established small businesses.
Interise CEO Darrell Byers explained that the seven-month course teaches individuals how to grow a business, with a three year grow strategy.
Throughout the program, there are courses on human resources, marketing, understanding finances, raising capital and more. Byers said there is also peer to peer mentoring that is developed during those seven months within each cohort.
He went on to say that the course is meant to get minority businesses “contract ready” and ensure they have what it takes to operate a business.
Byers said they are “trying to erase the excuse for large businesses that minority businesses aren’t ready.” Through this program, Interise is giving them the tools they need to make sure they are ready, he added.
Businesses that take this course grow by 14%, Byers shared, adding that when there is growth, the majority of employees are local.
Interise partnered with the Urban League of Springfield and Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts because “each organization has a rich history with the community and helping small businesses,” Byers said.
He continued, “[The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts] is a great organization to partner with to reach all gateway cities across the state.”
In Springfield, Byers said the teachers and classes are set to begin and should launch by the end of June, early July.
“I am looking forward to this,” he shared. As a Springfield native, Byers said it is important to him that this program includes companies in Western Massachusetts.
At press time, he said they expect to have between 200 and 300 participants taking this course in Western Massachusetts.
Once companies begin taking the course, they can network with over 10,000 companies nationally.
Byers said the course includes webinars which take a “deeper dive” into accessing capital, legal work and more.
After the course is complete, the learning does not stop there, but continues for years to come. Byers said the program remains open for businesses to continue to “thrive” and “build.”
Companies interested in participating in the StreetWise program can visit interise.org. Byers said Interise hosts other programs throughout the year and encourages individuals to look into those options as well.
The program is funded through a $3 million earmark from the federal American Rescue Plan Act in a spending bill by former Gov. Charlie Baker.
The Urban League of Springfield serves the African American community in Greater Springfield by advocating for and providing services that improve academic and social development of children and families. It promotes economic self-sufficiency and fosters racial inclusion and social justice.
The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization that has been in existence since 1919. It delivers services and programs that enhance self-reliance in the workforce and economic development.