Taylor Harris and Megan Mueller
59 minutes ago
ST. LOUIS – Harris Stowe State University’s long-awaited $4.9 million Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is scheduled to open this August to support local entrepreneurs and students.
The university wanted to provide entrepreneurship opportunities to more minorities through the upcoming center.
“We are creating a hub where Black and brown business owners can access the resources, information, and entrepreneurial community they need to start a business, expand their business, and get the education they need to continue to grow. “We wanted to do that,” said Christy Jackson, executive director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris-Stowe State University.
The new center will have four collaboration spaces and a rooftop workspace. They plan to have creative technology space, market space for business owners, and lease some space to banking partners.
“Entrepreneurship is not only an education, but also a path to generational wealth. We want all academics to know that entrepreneurship is also a career and a choice. ,” Jackson said.
The business school has had 200 executives graduate from its program. The upcoming center will benefit local entrepreneurs and students like Jemontez Cameron.
“Harris Stowe is where I found that love. It was there that I started customizing shoes for the first time. It also put me in a situation where I was forced to come out of my comfort shell.” said Cameron.
Cameron started a shoe customization business called OV Customs. He says the center is needed by the entrepreneurial community.
“This is a hub for Black entrepreneurs. It feels really invisible. So you go there and meet people who understand you and who might guide you in the direction you want your life to go.” “We’ll be in touch with them,” Cameron explained.
The business school has three programs that support executive leaders in local nonprofit and technology sectors, and also enables entrepreneurs to travel internationally.
Click here to learn more about the program and upcoming centers.
