Meet + Support The Spring 2022 Cohort of WEPOWER Biz Accelerator!
May 4, 2022
Meet + Support The Spring 2022 Cohort of WEPOWER Accelerator!
WEPOWER is beyond thrilled to welcome our third ever cohort of WEPOWER Accelerator, our accelerator for Black and Latinx-owned companies. This year, we are scaling our impact by transitioning to run not one but two programs per year. Today, we want to introduce you to the Spring 2022 WEPOWER Accelerator cohort.
After receiving 127 applications and interviewing 30+ entrepreneurs, we selected 11 St. Louis-proud companies to participate in our 10-week accelerator where they will access coaching, capital, connections, and a community of lifelong friends and champions.
SPRING '22 Cohort
Shelby Farr
Shelby Farr owns Shelby Marie, a luxury fragrance bar in Ferguson where anyone and everyone can make their own personal fragrance blends and bath & body products with the help of a master formulator.
Robin Taylor
Robin Taylor owns Infinite Occasions LLC, a full service banquet hall offering both onsite and offsite catering with full-service packages that include food, decor and room rental for any budget.
Monique Richard
Monique Richard owns Monique Cherise Beauty Boutiques, an innovative private salon suite that offers beauty professionals and business owners private suites to service their clients in a one-on-one atmosphere where luxury, relaxation and a warm, welcoming atmosphere is priority.
Justin Harris
Justin Harris owns Saint Louis Hop Shop, a craft beer shop & bar with the best selection of craft beer in the St Louis area, offering a variety of speciality craft beers, small batch spirits and natural wines.
Edwin Ariza
Edwin Ariza is the CEO of Systemico, a software developer and service provider for startups that supports founders with the creation and development of their minimum viable products plus version releases, bug fixes and more.
Branden Griffin
Branden Griffin is the CEO of Juggernaut Syndicate Corporation, a virtual & automated logistics company training the next generation of CDL drivers and transportation business owners.
Timothy Eleby
Timothy Eleby owns Pure Catering STL, a hospitality & food company serving St Louis area childcare centers and government centers plus running the café at the St Louis History Museum and more.
Tony Davis
Tony Davis owns Pop Pop Hurray LLC, a premium gourmet popcorn shop offering a variety of flavor and topping options from St Louis staples like flaming hot buffalo to fun flavors like waltermelon, chili and banana pudding.
Patrice Johnson
Patrice Johnson owns Patrice J. Bridal, a full-service bridal studio offering ready to wear bridal, custom dressmaking and alterations for all women of all sizes. Ps...this is the 1st black-owned bridal retailer in the greater STL area.
Wydonna Sumpter
Wydonna Sumpter owns The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy, a community based cosmetic training & arts school with trades in esthetician, barber, cosmetology and nail technician.
Reginald Quarles
Reginald Quarles owns Teatopia®, a tearoom, restaurant and safe space for all with a curated selection of in-house tea mixes for tea lovers, tea beginners and everyone in between.
This work is more urgent than ever as we navigate a continued pandemic that has overwhelmingly harmed the health and economic circumstances of marginalized folks. We know that transforming St. Louis requires building a dynamic movement of both civic and business leaders working together to activate political and economic power, and we are doing just that.
Our work is possible because of champions like YOU! Tomorrow is Give STL Day and we hope you consider investing in our work to scale thriving businesses and support transformational grassroots leaders.
Let’s keep building!
Charli + Your WEPOWER Family