Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pathways (IEP)
The IEP will establish new relationships within and among MBEs, collective workspaces (traditional and non-traditional hubs), state, regional and local governments, corporate partners, financing resources and accelerators/incubators. The intent is to create an integrated network of resources to help MBEs grow and scale their business. IEP will use a step-by-step approach.
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- Research and Gather Data – Through interviews and stakeholder meetings, the Business Growth Hub team will uncover common concerns and priorities of the entrepreneurs, business owners, MSIs, and other participants in the Southeast regional network. Using a dual-language approach, we will connect with underserved population of Spanish-dominant MBEs.
- Deployment of MBE Connectivity Program – On-line and on-site programming will be offered in the workspaces and communities where MBEs operate.
- Connections, Collaboration and Coaching: With the successful launch of programs, the team will cross-pollinate entrepreneurs and stakeholders beyond their inner city location.
- Assessment – Business Growth Hub will collect data and monitor program effectiveness.
PRENEURology Global will establish the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Pathways for new relationships within and among MBEs, collective workspaces (traditional and non-traditional hubs), state, regional, and local governments, corporate partners, financing resources, and accelerators/incubators. This approach will create an integrated network of resources to help MBEs grow and scale their business. “We’re seeing a huge paradigm shift,” said Lekiesha French, CEO, PRENEURology Global, “one that requires a high-impact, human-centered ecosystem for change. The Hub will serve the community as an agile equity builder and a strategic disruptor.”
PRENEURology Global is a Social Enterprise serving entrepreneurs around the world. For more than 15 years, the company has worked with organizations, educational institutions, corporations, and government agencies across the globe, to support emerging innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems through a human-centered approach.
With a bilingual (English and Spanish) staff, PRENEURology revolutionizes mindsets within communities at risk by empowering people with tools for innovation and economic growth. It offers impactful experiences for students and adults in partnership with leading universities like Georgia Tech, Stanford, and Columbia University. PRENEURology Global has served 14,000 youth and adult entrepreneurs. PRENEURology supports the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE) in Atlanta, a recently opened innovation center for African American entrepreneurs. PRENEURology has helped develop the RCIE Big IDEAS platform for learning and connectivity for Black entrepreneurs as well as providing programming for young entrepreneurs with their IncYOUbator Program.
About Le’Kiesha French
Le’Kiesha M. French, President and CEO, PRENEUROLOGY Global, is a social innovator and serial entrepreneur focused on helping people, especially underrepresented communities, reach their full potential through entrepreneurship and innovation and for economic empowerment. Through her companies, CEO of My Life and PRENEURology Global, Le’Kiesha has worked for over 15 years with organizations, educational institutions, corporations and government agencies to build and support emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems locally, regionally and internationally. She provides transformational education and immersive training experiences, as well as consulting and advisory services designed to shift mindsets, create an organic culture of innovation, and foster economic mobility, connectivity and equity for all.
Le’Kiesha began her career studying psychology concentrated in Human Behavioral Change, with a minor in International Business. She became convinced of the power of entrepreneurship, to empower people and change communities around the world. She gained experience in development, curriculum design, social work and pipeline program development through internships and jobs in the non-profit sector and both private and public school systems. Le’Kiesha eventually pivoted back towards focusing on human behavior change and entrepreneurship education and coaching. Le’Kiesha launched her first company, CIM Successful Inc. at the age of 20.
Le’Kiesha also consults with top organizations and educational institutions to develop impactful special events, initiatives and pipeline programs for a variety of audiences, including her own signature “CEO of My Life Youth IncYOUbator,” a pipeline entrepreneurial leadership and innovation program for youth and young adults to connect them to the future of work and beyond. Le’Kiesha’s pipeline programming for youth and young adults is held at the top innovative university campuses across the United States, including Stanford University and Columbia University. Le’Kiesha’s adult entrepreneurial programming is held at some of the top incubators, accelerators and innovation spaces in the world.
Le’Kiesha has relationships with top universities, organizations, and countries for similar work. Le’Kiesha has helped develop and support economic empowerment and minority entrepreneur support networks in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Virgin Islands, South Africa, and Europe. She specializes in early stage startup, development, business strategy/model disruption for established businesses, designing pipeline initiatives, innovative program development, intercultural empathy, international business relations.