Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

YOU’RE INVITED!! This Friday, August 30th, from 3-9 PM, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is the place to be! Join us as we close out National Black Business Month in style with our annual RICE Black Friday Block Party; an event that’s all about showcasing, supporting, and celebrating Black-owned businesses. What’s Black Friday at RICE? It’s more than a marketplace; it’s a vibrant community experience where you can shop from over 30 incredible vendors, enjoy live entertainment including Gritz and Jelly Butter and DJ Bad will be spinning on the 1’s and 2’s, enjoy play outdoor games, and feast on delicious food truck offerings. This is your chance to support RICE Stakeholders and businesses in our community! This is a family-friendly event so be sure to bring the kids, your lawn chairs, and come out for lots of fun in the sun! But Black Friday is more than just fun; it’s a key part of our mission to Build Black Business. We’re highlighting the economic impact of Black spending power and showing why RICE is the cornerstone for Black entrepreneurs. We’re also looking to recruit new Stakeholders who are ready to become “RICE Ready” through the unparalleled access and opportunities we provide. So, mark your calendar, invite your friends and family, and get ready for an evening of unforgettable fun and community spirit. Don’t miss out—register now and let’s make this Black Friday Block Party one to remember! REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gAWGKXEG #ShopBlack #RICEReady #BuildBlackBusiness

The countdown is on! We’re just days away from the ultimate celebration of Black business—of course celebrating #TheRICEWay This Friday, August 30th, from 3-9 PM, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is the place to be! Join us as we close out National Black Business Month in style with our annual RICE Black Friday Block Party; an event that’s all about showcasing, supporting, and celebrating Black-owned businesses. What’s Black Friday at RICE? It’s more than a marketplace; it’s a vibrant community experience where you can shop from over 30 incredible vendors, enjoy live entertainment including Gritz and Jelly Butter and DJ Bad will be spinning on the 1’s and 2’s, enjoy play outdoor games, and feast on delicious food truck offerings. This is your chance to support RICE Stakeholders and businesses in our community! This is a family-friendly event so be sure to bring the kids, your lawn chairs, and come out for lots of fun in the sun! But Black Friday is more than just fun; it’s a key part of our mission to Build Black Business. We’re highlighting the economic impact of Black spending power and showing why RICE is the cornerstone for Black entrepreneurs. We’re also looking to recruit new Stakeholders who are ready to become “RICE Ready” through the unparalleled access and opportunities we provide. So, mark your calendar, invite your friends and family, and get ready for an evening of unforgettable fun and community spirit. Don’t miss out—register now and let’s make this Black Friday Block Party one to remember! REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gAWGKXEG #ShopBlack #RICEReady #BuildBlackBusiness

At RICE, when we say we BUILD BLACK BUSINESS, we understand that we do it as a family. And when family calls, we answer. Right now, our Guru of community correspondence Ashley Scott and our Vice President of Data and Research,Malcolm Muhammad, PhD are a part of an incredible discussion at a family meeting hosted by The Gathering Spot and The Village Market ® It’s a powerful moment of coming together, sharing insights, and addressing the pressing issues that impact the communities we serve. Dr. Muhammad’s presence is adding valuable perspective to the conversation, reminding us all that building Black business is about more than just economic success—it’s about strengthening our communities and creating lasting legacies. Together, as a family, we’re making it happen. You can listen live on Fanbaseapp We’ll share more information and key takeaways from this important discussion very soon! #BUILDINGBLACKBUSINESS #Family #Community #RICEReady #UncommonAccess

Jay Bailey, President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, was recognized with the Community Leader Award at the TechBridge, Inc 2024 Digital Ball! TechBridge, Inc has been a cornerstone in Atlanta for nearly 25 years, strengthening nonprofits and cultivating a tech-driven workforce. This award reflects the commitment to building a digitally resilient city, ready to meet the demands of the present and the future! Congratulations Jay Bailey !!! #Onward #RICECommunity #BuildCommunity

RICE is more than a symbol of hope; it’s an institution manufacturing opportunity for Black entrepreneurs in Atlanta and beyond. Our mission is clear: to forge pathways, empower Black entrepreneurs, and build a thriving community of success. #RICEStakeholders are proud to be a part of our entrepreneurial ecosystem because of our resources and support. JOIN US at our upcoming Info Sessions https://lnkd.in/drMkEHES Build.Black.Business #RICE #Empowerment #BlackEntrepreneurs” #buildblackbusiness

Are you #RICEReady? ATTEND AN INFO SESSION🚀🔥 Explore how the Russell Center can elevate your entrepreneurial journey by attending our upcoming Information Session. As a RICE Stakeholder, you’ll join a legacy of entrepreneurs who have transformed Atlanta and made a global impact. We seek committed individuals ready to engage deeply with our programs, evolve from dreamers to doers, and represent a movement that’s redefining business. Our mission is to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and network to ensure you’re not just ready to succeed—you’re #RICEReady. Register for our upcoming Info Sessions https://lnkd.in/drMkEHES #UncommonAccess #Entrepreneurship

A surge of energy marked the atmosphere at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs during the “No Pressure” pitch competition, hosted in partnership with Black Ambition and ACT House🔥🔥🔥. Entrepreneurs presented their innovative ideas, showcasing the creativity and determination within the community. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation and supporting emerging talent. Congratulations to all participants and #RICEStakeholders for their compelling presentations! The entrepreneurial spirit displayed at this event promises a bright future for these innovators! Stay tuned as we continue to unveil more inspirational moments!! Black Ambition #BuildBlackBusiness #AccessOpportunityExposure #PitchCompetition *we do not own the rights to this music*

Sharing space with a few phenomenal Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs Stakeholders following their end of learning cycle focus group in which iCURRIC provides a structured approach to collecting data about their experience with programming and its impact on them and their business. Their feedback was invaluable. We use the data as part of a pretty sophisticated feedback loop that continuously improves the RICE Stakeholder experience and outcomes. Everything is data informed to ensure we help build out a robust framework for supporting the unique experiences of Black entrepreneurs. It’s actually one of my favorite parts of the whole design process and gives us an opportunity to incorporate the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs #1 Core Value: Community First into the design process. Shout out to my amazing team Nita Penn and LaShawn Yates, MSIDT for facilitating the session. #learningdesign #humancentereddesign #excellenceisourstandard

Day one of our Black Employee Network global summit is in the books! I had to come out of retirement to support the people I adore so much, jumping in to help lead as needed, and it was so worth it. So many connections cultivated, so much knowledge shared! And the cherry on top was hosting the event at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs , where I’m a stakeholder! I’m looking forward to day 2, although it’s always day 1 at Amazon.☺️ #aws #globalsummit #blackemployeenetwork #affinitygroupleaders #BENGlobalSummit #TogetherAtAmazon

This week, Amazon and the Black Employee Network hosted their Global Summit at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. During day two, rapper and entrepreneur 2 Chainz engaged in a conversation with Paul Adamson Senior Program Manager for Supplier Diversity & Inclusion at Amazon. The discussion, titled "Tru Talk: 2 Chainz on Entrepreneurship and Staying True," delved into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the significance of authenticity in business, and the impact of supporting local communities. The exchange provided valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey and underscored the importance of staying true to one's values. There's always something exciting happening right here at the Russell Center! #TheRICEWay #BuildBlackBusiness