Community activists, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers are among the list of top candidates for the 2020-21 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™. Included in the list of nine finalists is Philadelphia resident Kevin Dixon, who is a mentor at Rebel Ventures where he inspires high school students who pursue entrepreneurship.
Rebel Ventures is a youth-driven, healthy food business run by high school students and supported by University of Pennsylvania students that includes a nonprofit business entity (also called Rebel Ventures). Students learn about the food system by competing in the real-world competitive food marketplace, as well as receive academic mentorship, professional skills development, and college access support.
The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ is a free service that supports community entrepreneurs and organizations that are breaking down the social and economic barriers to health equity. Since launching the program in 2016, the American Heart Association has made a health impact through organizations that address food insecurity, transportation, access to healthcare, STEM, youth education and more.
Candidates are currently taking part in an eight-week, MBA–style accelerator training where they’re learning a lot about themselves, their businesses and their missions. The training will culminate with a chance for candidates to receive grant funding through the National EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™.
Click here to view Dixon’s introduction videos and follow his journey.
The registration link to attend the finale on January 26 at 7 p.m. EST can be found here. Fans will also have the opportunity to support Dixon by voting Rebel Ventures as a fan favorite from January 4-26. More information on how to vote will be forthcoming.
Cynthia Ortiz of La Placita Wellness and Education Center, Inc./Fitadelphia in Philadelphia also received an honorable mention.