Program for minority entrepreneurs provides a roadmap for success

PHOENIX — Good things are happening in Arizona, thanks to a new business accelerator program for minority entrepreneurs. In 2022, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) released Arizona’s State of Black Business report. Data from the report revealed that Black-owned businesses close more frequently than others. Dr. Velma Trayham, a self-made economic empowerment specialist, told ABC15 she knew something needed to be done to fix that. “Listening to that, I thought ‘Wow I need to respond to this data,’” said Dr. Trayham. Dr. Trayham is the CEO of ThinkZILLA Consulting Group in Arizona, but recently founded Millionaire Mastermind Academy, INC., an economic empowerment program that provides a roadmap for entrepreneurial success. Dr. Trayham said that through lived experiences, she knows personally how change can happen. “The first three years into my consulting company, we went after 10 contracts, and we were declined all 10. So, I started to request a debriefing and I actually learned that we scored higher than some of the companies that were winning deals,” Dr. Trayham said. “There were some systemic issues, but what I really learned is how to crack the code to help other minority business owners get more opportunities.” ABC15 In The Community:...