The Tampa Bay Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator Receives $134,000 from JPMorgan Chase to Empower Growth and Economic Inclusion for Underrepresented Business Owners in the Region
TAMPA, FL. - The Tampa Bay Chamber has received $134,000 from JPMorgan Chase to support its Minority Business Accelerator (MBA), a globally recognized program supporting local Black and Hispanic owned businesses and organizations and prepare them for their next stage of growth. The Chase commitment will help provide business owners in the accelerator with the practical tools they need to overcome barriers. Unique to the Chamber's MBA curriculum, the 2-year program takes underrepresented businesses through targeted workshops, mentoring and group activities designed to boost capacity, create jobs and build wealth.
Businesses in each cohort gain access to a wealth of resources, including eight education series a year, a dedicated financial mentor, and various opportunities to engage with the Tampa Bay Chamber. The educational sessions cover fundamental topics such as accounting, marketing and employment law. Each cohort member and financial mentor meets monthly for the duration of the program. New in 2024, cohort members are also part of small group coaching opportunities.
"At JPMorgan Chase, we aim to fuel sustainable growth and foster economic inclusion for the vibrant communities we serve," said Michael Flores, head of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Tampa. "Our goal, through this commitment, is to help create a diverse and inclusive business community and act as a catalyst to drive positive economic impact in Tampa Bay. This investment reinforces our firm's commitment to empowering minority-owned businesses."
MBA businesses in the 2023 cohort just completed and in the 2024 cohort set to graduate in fourth quarter of this year can, collectively boast $19 million in gross sales, 122 new jobs, 137 corporate contracts, $750,000 in secured capital and $200,000 in new assets acquired as of January 1, 2024.
(Members of the Minority Business Accelerator 2025 Cohort with Brian Adcock, Chairman of the Board, Tampa Bay Chamber; Kadian Douglas, Chair of MBA Cohort 2025; Dr. Bob Rohrlack, Chamber President/CEO; and Avril Stinson, Chamber Vice President of Economic Inclusion & Leadership Programs.)
The symbolic check presentation by Chase was made during the accelerator's kick-off ceremony for the 2025 Cohort this evening at the CURRENT Hotel in Tampa. "Support from our MBA sponsors, like JPMorgan Chase, is integral to sustaining the accelerator's dynamic 2-year program and covering cohort participants' Chamber membership throughout," said Avril Stinson, Vice President of Economic Inclusion and Leadership Programs at the Tampa Bay Chamber. "This commitment goes beyond just financial support. The funding actively empowers business owners to broaden their networks, unlocking their access to crucial capital and influential decision-makers."
After graduating from the accelerator, cohort participants are invited to join the MBA Alumni Group, which provides an ongoing support system and resource for graduates. Year round, the accelerator encourages the larger Tampa Bay business community to utilize minority-owned businesses through their supplier diversity efforts, giving companies across the region access to more diverse suppliers.
(Michael Flores of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Tampa with the Chamber's Avril Stinson.)
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About the Tampa Bay Chamber
A not-for-profit membership organization, the Tampa Bay Chamber currently serves 1,400 member companies of all sizes and industries. Economic Inclusion initiatives are foundational to its Vision 2026 strategic plan. The Minority Business Accelerator is recognized by the World Chambers Federation and a finalist for Best Chamber Model Innovation Project in 2023. Learn more about the Minority Business Accelerator or the Minority Empowerment Program.
Media Contacts:
Tampa Bay Chamber: Lissette Campos - [email protected]
JPMorgan Chase: Allison Reed - [email protected]