Forging the Future of Retail: BLK + GRN and TCU Unite to Empower Black Entrepreneurs

At BLK + GRN, our mission has always been to empower and uplift Black entrepreneurs and creators. Through innovation and collaboration, we seek to build a healthier, more sustainable community centered on wellness and excellence. Recently, we took another significant step in advancing this vision by partnering with True Culture University (TCU) to bring our Ready for Retail course to their students. This initiative marks a transformative chapter in our efforts to nurture the next generation of Black leaders in the retail and wellness sectors.

The Ready for Retail Course

The Ready for Retail course is a comprehensive program designed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the retail industry. The program is structured into six impactful modules:

• Module 1: All We Do is Win This module emphasizes the importance of mindset, emotional health, and mental wellness while developing a retail-ready brand.

• Module 2: What’s Your Story: Identify Your Brand Ethos Students learn to craft their brand story, establish core values, and align actions with their desired impact on the community.

• Module 3: Your Ideal Customer A detailed process to define and analyze target customers, aiding in effective marketing, communication, and packaging strategies.

• Module 4: Get Legit - Business 101 Covers the fundamentals of creating a legitimate business structure, visual brand identity, and standard operating procedures to enable scalability.

• Module 5: Get Your Products in the Hands of Your Customers Leverages insights from the Ideal Customer module to identify marketing sources and strategies for product distribution.

• Module 6: Funding Your Dream Explores grants, pitch competitions, and resources to access capital, emphasizing preparation and research.

By providing actionable insights and real-world applications, this course prepares aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts to turn their ideas into thriving enterprises.

The Partnership with TCU

Understanding the importance of nurturing young talent, we collaborated with TCU to make this course available to their students. The partnership aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical retail industry experience. TCU students not only gained access to the course but also benefited from mentorship sessions, networking opportunities, and industry-specific workshops curated by BLK + GRN.

Celebrating Success: The Graduates

The program concluded with 10 remarkable students completing the course, showcasing their commitment, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. These trailblazers are now interning with BLK + GRN, gaining firsthand experience in a dynamic environment that values innovation and community impact. Here’s a look at the students making waves: 

Bealal Getahun Metagesha

beakalgetahun@gmail.com

0915879300

 

Tizita Tadesse

tadessetizita65@gmail.com

0953094099 

Tsega Mekonnen

tsegamekonnen39@gmail. com

0970001412

 

Hebron Samuel Tsige

hbrnsml@gmail.com

+251980484227

 

Kalkidan Anduamlak

anduamlakkalkidan@gmail. com

 

 Kalkidan Kebede

Kebedekalkidan5482@gmail.com

0954824883

 

Building a Brighter Future

Interning at BLK + GRN offers these students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the operations of a Black-owned business that prioritizes wellness, sustainability, and community impact. From developing marketing campaigns to collaborating with artisan vendors, these young professionals are gaining valuable skills to excel in their future careers.

Our partnership with TCU is more than just an educational initiative; it’s an investment in the future. By equipping these students with the tools they need to succeed, we’re fostering a new wave of leaders who are ready to drive change and innovation in the retail and wellness industries.

Looking Ahead

This partnership is only the beginning. At BLK + GRN, we’re committed to creating more opportunities that empower our community. Whether it’s through educational programs, mentorship, or collaborations with institutions like TCU, we’re paving the way for a future where Black excellence thrives.

We can’t wait to see the incredible things these 10 students will achieve, and we’re proud to play a part in their journey. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build partnerships and programs that inspire and empower!