Congratulations to the 2026 Cohort of the Tampa Bay Chamber's Minority Business Accelerator. The eighth cohort selected in the accelerator's history was presented today during the Chamber's 139th Annual Meeting! These Black and Hispanic owned businesses will launch their 2-year journey in the program starting in January and represent a variety of business sectors, including the restaurant industry, finance, commercial real estate, architecture and engineering. The 2026 Cohort will be led by Chair Michael Eubanks, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager, The Bank of Tampa.
- Tarolyn Buckles & Karen Burton of the A/E Collaborative, LLC.
- Keleisha Carter of the KC Capital Group
- Natalie Freeman of Edward Jones Investments - Office of Natalie Freeman
- Lisa Hernandez-Williams, Bay Bay's Burgers
- Johnny Nunez, E2E Cleaning Services, Inc.
- Evelyn Ruiz, Wave Tax & Financial Solutions
- Maria Rumlin, M&R Catering
- Roberto Torres, Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters
The Chamber’s accelerator helps Black and Hispanic owned businesses prepare for growth, started at a time when others in the region were focused on business accelerators for startups. MBA's first cohort graduated in 2019 and was comprised of only four minority-owned businesses. Today, the cohorts have doubled in size.
Noteworthy in the 2026 Cohort, there are four Chamber Members advancing from their experiences in the Chamber's Minority Empowerment Program (MEP), also designed to bring Black and Hispanic owned/led businesses and nonprofits into the community conversation through Chamber membership and does not include the MBA's higher threshold of annual earnings. Johnny Nunez and Roberto Torres were in MEP in 2024. Natalie Freeman and Maria Rumlin were in prior years of MEP.
"It is with grate pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I have accepted the position as Chair for the MBA 2026 Cohort," said Eubanks. Speaking directly to the eight local businesses he's been entrusted with, he said "Get ready for an exciting and fulfilling 2-year journey! I believe in this program and I believe in the greatness each of you will achieve by working together!"
The MBA program has graduated a cohort each year since its inception and without interruption. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, cohorts pivoted to virtual sessions. The curriculum is specifically designed to help businesses identify and overcome barriers, which often include limited access to capital, key decision makers, and information. Providing practical tools for change, the accelerator positions participants to increase capacity, create jobs and build wealth.
The program received global recognition when an international panel of judges selected the MBA program for presentation at the World Chambers Congress in 2023. Thanks to the support of the business community which helps cover the cost of participants top-tier membership in the Chamber during their 2-year program, MBA has benefitted a growing number of local Black and Hispanic owned businesses in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk and Manatee counties. Learn more about Sponsors and details of the Minority Business Accelerator program.