On Friday, September 27, 2019, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development graduated its third class of the Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program. This year's theme was "Forge ahead and chase your dreams.”
The Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program is an initiative of the Frederick County Minority Business Vision, a minority outreach program that was developed by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development in May of 2015. This program was created to address the growing diversity of the county, and help ensure that the complexion of the business community mirrors the diversity and the impact that it has on Frederick County. Bringing minority businesses together to expand growth opportunities, this program offers resources, networking events, and business education that inspires innovative leaders.
This class saw 15 graduates. Now in its third year, the Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program has seen a total of 47 graduates to date. These graduates represent minority business owners and those who considered themselves to be future minority business and social leaders of Frederick County.
The seven month program, which began in February, had seven sessions that were led by subject matter experts in their chosen field. A breakdown of the sessions are as follows:
- Perfecting your elevator pitch,
- Leadership Is…
- Choosing the right location
- Cliff jumping 101
- How to market with pennies in your pocket
- Finding your money tree
- The right people matter
The valedictorian, as chosen by the students, was Dr. Xavier Bruce, owner and founder of Uplift Energy Coaching LLC. Dr. Bruce is a retired Lt. Colonel of the United States Air Force, having graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000. Read more here.
A full scholarship to The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s LEADERSHIP FREDERICK was awarded to Dawn Olney, owner of Olney Communications. This scholarship award is a demonstration of the partnership between the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.
The class developed great synergy and collaboration with each other, resulting in teaming agreements on future projects and developing a lifetime lifeline of contacts and friendships.
If you would like to find out more about next year’s program, please contact The Office of Economic Development at 301-600-1058.