Business Ascend · Cohort
A structured 12-week business development cohort: assessment, planning, growth systems, learning, coaching and progress milestones.
January 5, 2027 is the planned start. The curriculum, session schedule and enrollment timeline are being finalized and will be posted here before applications open.
Start with a structured look at your operations, finances, marketing and goals.
Turn what the assessment shows into clear priorities and a growth plan.
Put practical systems in place for how the business runs day to day.
Cohort sessions with other business owners working on the same stage of growth.
Guidance to keep the plan moving and work through what gets in the way.
Check-ins that mark what has been completed and what comes next.
A week-by-week schedule will be published once the curriculum is approved.
Business Ascend is designed for Black-owned businesses ready to strengthen how they operate and plan for growth. Eligibility and selection criteria will be published with the application.
A baseline assessment and agreed goals.
Operations, financial readiness and consistent workflows.
A clearer public presence.
Steady progress on planned action steps.
Readiness to pursue opportunities and resources.
A documented next-step plan at the end of the cohort.
Business Ascend was first planned for 2026 as a Pilot Cohort and an Expansion Cohort. The pilot did not run in 2026; it has moved to the January 5, 2027 cohort above. The earlier pages are kept for reference and do not describe the current offer: Pilot Cohort plan · Expansion Cohort plan.
