Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program Now Accepting Applications

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development has announced a new initiative to help develop and grow current and future minority business leaders in Frederick County. The Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders program will begin on March 17, 2017 and sessions covered will include a variety of topics such as: leadership traits, funding sources, marketing, hiring issues, making connections in the community and more. Applications are now being accepted until January 30, 2017.

Each class is designed to connect participants with experts to help grow their business skills. The goal of the Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders program is to inspire, develop, and grow future minority business leaders of Frederick County. “Great business mentors can have an enourmous impact on an early-stage company’s success. We want to develop a community of minority business leaders that mentors the next generation,” stated Frederick County Office of Economic Development Director Helen Propheter. 

Participants of this unique eight month program will spend two hours a day on Friday mornings from 8:30am until 10:30am once a month at the Frederick County Office of Development at 118 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701. Courses will be taught by minority leaders and subject matter experts in Frederick County.

Desired candidates must be a Frederick County resident, a minority-owned business owner or manager, should show evidence of strong leadership within the community or organization and have a passion for Frederick County. A miniority-owned business is defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program definition as: African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American and Subcontinent Asian American. In addition, minorities include women and veterans. The cost of the eight month program is $50.00. To apply, send a resume and cover letter indicating your interest to Sherman Coleman, Business Development Specialist, Frederick County Office of Economic Development at scoleman@frederickcountymd.gov. For more information on the program including a full schedule, please visit www.discoverfrederickmd.com/mbv.

A full scholarship will be awarded to a graduate of this program to  Leadership Frederick County, a program the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.