Women

The Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) has graduated their second class of women entrepreneurs in partnership with Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx.

Over the past year, CCI provided the women with business and strategy advising, leadership coaching, mentorship and workspace in South Downtown. In addition, they received a seed investment from the Sara Blakely Foundation.

CCI and Sara Blakely also announced an investment in a third class of nine additional women-led enterprises, totaling 27 Atlanta-based, female entrepreneurs that have received support over the last three years.

Meet the nine women-led ventures that CCI and the Sara Blakely Foundation are investing in:

Quyionah Wingfield | Cool Moms Dance Too: Uses dance movement therapy activities to improve the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of families.

Erin Croom | Small Bites Adventure Club: Helps children discover, love and eat their fruits and vegetables through the Taste Test box, a subscription service that is shipped directly to educators in schools, childcare and afterschool programs.

Rachel Willis | Elevating Equity: Aims to eliminate race and income as predictors of student success by providing bias training and instructional tools for educators.

Kristina Smith | Hope For Youth, Inc. (HYPE): Increases interest in computer science among high school girls of color by providing coding instruction, as well as leadership and global exposure opportunities.

Mamie Harper | Carrie’s Closet of Georgia: A mobile donation collection service providing clothing, toiletries and other needed items to children removed into foster care and foster caregivers.

Mikala Streeter | The LIFE School: A progressive high school in Atlanta’s west side where each student works through a custom, project-based learning plan designed around their learning styles, interests and goals.

Akissi Stokes | WUNDERgrubs: A micro-insect farm that provides farmers with grubs used as livestock feed, waste management and fertilizer.

Carol Bowman | Learning in Color: Aims to improve student morale and academic outcomes by utilizing color theory to enhance school environments.

Starr Davis | The STARR Institute: Seeks to provide long-term housing solutions for young girls who are survivors of sexual abuse or exploitation.

In addition, the graduating 2019 class includes the following entrepreneurs:

Terri-Nichelle Bradley | Brown Toy Box: Inspires black children to pursue careers and hobbies where black people are typically underrepresented.

Jasmine Crowe | Goodr: A sustainable food surplus management company that leverages technology to combat hunger and reduce waste.

Nedra Deadwyler | Civil Bikes: Curates culturally connected and relevant stories to engage people with place.

Jenn Graham | Civic Dinners: Uses technology to bring diverse people together to break bread and have a structured conversation that builds empathy and trust.

Tiffany LaTrice Williams | TILA Studios: Empowers black women to create and showcase their art.

Trish Miller | SwemKids: Aims to eliminate negative perceptions and barriers to swimming proficiency for black children and their families by equipping them with the skills to have a healthy and safe relationship with water.

Charnette Trimble | Grandmama’s House: Provides seniors with workshops that connect them to house repair programs and resources to help pass their wealth on the next generation.

Samantha Watkins | Urban Perform: A non-profit gym in Vine City that makes exercise accessible and affordable to everyone.