AT&T has contributed $75,000 to The Village Market (TVM) to support ELEVATE, a 12-week incubator tailored to serve the most urgent needs identified by small businesses. TVM has become a staple in the City of Atlanta, connecting Black-owned businesses to engaged consumers, small business resources, and investors through their programming like the PPP Loan Preparation workshop, the ELEVATE business incubator, and more. TVM has touched small businesses in 21 states and 4 countries reaching an estimate of 900 businesses. 

The ELEVATE program provides resources, tools, mentorship, training, wellness support, and connects an ecosystem of entrepreneurs to thriving community partners who are dedicated to the growth of solopreneurs and microbusinesses. 

“Over the last 13 weeks, we've experienced remarkable growth, connection, vulnerability from the entrepreneurs, "Villagers", in the ELEVATE Program,” says Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, Executive Director, Our Village United. “We've witnessed businesses not only improve their business acumen but incorporate wellness best practices that they've learned from their wellness coach, Dr. Joy Beckwith. I cannot be more proud of the businesses, my team, the incredible instructors, our community partners such as AT&T, because what we've experienced in the last several weeks is what happens when a village of like-minds join together- ELEVATION. " 

The ELEVATE program includes: 

     ○ 12-week cohorts aimed at providing resources and tools such as business development, wellness classes, mentorship, professional and technical services, and access to affordable online and physical retail spaces 

     ○ Connection to an ecosystem of entrepreneurs to thriving community partners who are dedicated to the growth of solopreneurs and microbusinesses. 

     ○ Moving businesses from aspiration to application to the achievement of growing from sole operators to a thriving business with multiple employees. 

     ○ Curriculum focusing on four key areas:

          ■ Operations 

          ■ Marketing 

          ■ Sales 

          ■ Fundraising 

“With the ELEVATE program we have significantly grown, the systems within our business, the visions within our business, helping us to define the roles within our business, and really helped us to get the tools that we needed to scale and to scale well” said Kimberlie Milton , Co-Owner of Restore More. 

According to the U.S. Senate commission on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, over the last 10 years, minority business enterprises accounted for more than 50 percent of the two million new businesses started in the United States and created 4.7 million jobs. 

“At AT&T, we are committed to making our world one where everyone can thrive,” said Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T Georgia. “We are excited to collaborate with The Village Market to help elevate these amazing entrepreneurs, who are using their talents, passions and new skills to make their Black-owned small businesses a success – for themselves, their employees and our communities.” 

The Village Market recently celebrated an ELEVATE graduation and the second cohort is currently underway. Applications for the third cohort will close May 15, 2021. Interested applicants can apply online here. 

AT&T is passionate about the strength and success of Atlanta, and through Believe Atlanta^SM, is collaborating with community leaders to provide economic empowerment opportunities for the traditionally underserved. This challenges the wealth gap that currently exists in our city and drives a more equitable society. Believe Atlanta^SM is focusing on job-skills, financial literacy, resources for small business, and access to education and careers that deliver hope for the future. 

Believe Atlanta^SM is an extension of AT&T Believes ^SM, a company-wide, localized effort to create positive change in our communities. AT&T Believes harnesses employees engagement, supports it with company resources and joins with area organizations and nonprofits like The Village Market to make an even bigger impact on local communities and society at large.