Future Minority Business Leaders Class of 2018

The Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program recently welcomed the Class of 2018 on February 23, 2018. This 8-month leadership program is an effort to bring minority businesses together to expand growth opportunities through resources, networking and business education that inspires innovative leaders. The class kicked off with an informational overview on Frederick County’s economy by Frederick County Office of Economic Development Director Helen Propheter and concluded with a session from Daryl Glick from the Dale Carnegie Institute on “How to Perfect Your Elevator Pitch.”

The Class of 2018 is comprised of 18 participants, including 13 local business owners and 3 students from Hood College and Frederick Community College, all with one common theme among them – the desire to make a difference in the community in which they live.

Frederick County is rich in culture and diversity, with continuing growth in minority populations over the last few years. To respond to the growing diversity of the county, and help ensure that the complexion of the business community mirrors that diversity, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development launched the Minority Business Vision in 2015 – an effort to bring minority businesses together to expand growth opportunities through resources, networking and business education that inspire innovative leaders. The Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program is an initiative of the Minority Business Vision.

“We want to inspire and grow the next generation of leaders in Frederick County. The Class of 2018 is filled with fresh ideas and tremendous potential,” said Frederick County Office of Economic Development Assistant Director Heather Gramm. “We look forward to watching them grow over the next eight months.”

Over the next few months, these Future Leaders will be highlighted on the Minority Business Vision Facebook page – learn more about them at www.facebook.com/FredCoMinorityBiz

Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders - Class of 2018

  • Marielle Avila, MOA Financial Solutions, LLC
  • Tawanda Bailey, Bailey Massage & Wellness
  • Jennifer Barker-Frey, Frederick County Government
  • Kelly Chapin, Chapin Office Services & Solutions
  • Ayana Dunlap, Springwood Hospitality
  • Kenyarta Frailing, Salon Champu
  • Jennifer Gauthier, lead4life, LLC
  • Wil Graham, SpeedPro
  • Lian Guo, Intrasen, LLC
  • Julie Hanson, Inner-Evolution Counseling-Coaching, LLC
  • Walter Hood, Student, Hood College
  • Thomas Houze, Independent Consultant
  • Maisha Lewis-Ceaser, Transforming the Pieces, LLC
  • Jay Mason, Verita Real Estate, LLC
  • Chloe Scott, Student, Mt. St. Mary’s Frederick Campus
  • Ivana Soce, Student, Hood College
  • Timika Thrasher, Thrasher’s Cleaning Service
  • Kennedi Wilson, OUT40 Blog