MBA Growth Partners

10/08/2026

Roots & Rise enrollment is now open. Designed for youth ages 12–16, Roots & Rise is a leadership and enrichment program created to help young people grow academically, build confidence, and be part of a supportive community. built in partnership with Washington County and local stakeholders.

Here's what students get:
✨ Academic support and homework coaching
✨ Leadership development and real confidence building
✨ Life skills that carry them into adulthood
✨ Mentors who actually show up for them
✨ A peer community that has their back
✨ Experiences that shape who they're becoming

This is more than an after-school program, it’s a space for young people to be encouraged, challenged, and prepared for what’s next.

🔗 Learn more and enroll at rootsandriseclub.com

10/05/2026

A new month brings fresh momentum and October gives us another reason to celebrate the women who are building businesses, creating opportunities, and shaping what’s next.

In recognition of National Women’s Small Business Month, MBA Growth Partners is celebrating the women entrepreneurs who continue to turn ideas into businesses, challenges into opportunities, and growth into lasting impact.

🚀 Building businesses

🚀 Creating jobs and opportunities

🚀 Strengthening communities

🚀 Leading with vision and pushing what’s possible

To every woman growing a business, leading a team, taking the next big step, or simply figuring it out one day at a time this month, we celebrate you.

Here’s to a new month of bold moves, stronger businesses, and continued growth.

Happy October from MBA Growth Partners!

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Happy Friday from MBA Growth Partners.

As the week wraps up, it’s a good time to check in on your business:
Are your priorities clear? Are your systems supporting growth? And are your plans actually moving forward?
Growth requires more than a strong strategy. It takes the right structure, systems, and ex*****on to turn that strategy into results.

Through our Business Advisory & Growth Consulting program, we help business owners strengthen:

✨ Strategy — clarifying priorities and long-term direction

✨ Operations — building systems that can support growth

✨ Ex*****on — turning plans into consistent, measurable action

Whether you’re refining what already works or addressing processes that are slowing you down, our approach is hands-on and built around where your business is today and where you want it to go next.

As you close out the week, take a moment to reflect, refocus, and identify the next move that matters most.

Learn more about our programs and services at mbagrowthpartners.com.

09/25/2026

Before you close the books on Q3, ask yourself: What still needs to happen?

The end of a quarter is a natural time to reflect on what you accomplished, but it’s just as important to look at what remains unfinished. There may be a decision you’ve been putting off, a conversation that still needs to happen, an opportunity worth pursuing, or a priority that deserves attention before you move into Q4.

You don’t need to finish everything before the quarter ends. What matters is being intentional about what you close out now, what you carry forward, and what you decide no longer deserves your time or attention.

As you prepare for Q4, take a few minutes to identify the one thing you want to bring to completion so you can enter the new quarter with greater clarity and focus.

What’s one thing you’re committed to closing out before Q4 begins? Share it below. 👇

09/23/2026

USBC BLACKprint Policy Brunch

Growth Partners was glad to be represented at the USBC BLACKprint Policy Brunch, supported by JPMorgan Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce, alongside Simone Ellison and Corey Griffin of the Washington Black Chamber of Commerce.

The conversation around business ownership, succession planning, access to capital, and creating pathways for Black entrepreneurs to buy, build, and grow businesses strongly aligns with the work we continue to support across the business community.

Creating sustainable businesses and building wealth across generations requires continued dialogue, stronger ecosystems, access to resources, and meaningful partnerships. We appreciated the opportunity to connect with leaders and organizations advancing this work.

Thank you to U.S. Black Chambers and JPMorganChase for bringing the community together for such an important conversation.

09/21/2026

The countdown to Meet the Finalists: Sip & Savor is officially on. Join us on October 1 for an evening of cocktails, connection, and celebration as we recognize the 2026 Black in Business Awards finalists and honor the judges who dedicated their time, insight, and expertise to this year’s selection process.

At Sip & Savor, we’ll come together with entrepreneurs, business leaders, partners, and supporters for the live reveal of the 2026 finalists and an evening centered on Black business excellence, community, and connection.

✨ Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
✨ Time: 6:00–9:00 PM
✨ Location: Montgomery Community Media

Reserve your spot:
https://www.blackinbusinessawards.com/event/meet-the-finalists-sip-savor/

And for a glimpse into what’s ahead, swipe left to hear one of our State of Black Business Summit panelists talk about Sip & Savor and the Black in Business Awards experience.

09/15/2026

We’re still reflecting on the insights shared during last Thursday’s State of Black Business in Montgomery County Virtual Summit, hosted by the Black in Business Awards.

Moderated by our very own Bola Audena, the summit brought together Frederick Hawkins, Arthur Toole, Julye Williams, Ynette Evans, Tony Parchment, and Bill Tompkins for a timely conversation on the opportunities, challenges, and resources shaping Black entrepreneurship in Montgomery County.

With over 100 business owners in the room, the conversation explored access to capital, government contracting, business growth, technology, scaling, and stronger connections across the Black business ecosystem.

A few takeaways from the conversation:

✨ Strong relationships with customers, partners, program managers, and decision-makers are critical to accessing opportunities.

✨ Sustainable growth requires business owners to move beyond doing everything themselves and build stronger systems, teams, and accountability.

✨ Before investing heavily in marketing or expansion, businesses need to understand their market and validate real customer demand.

✨ Resources are available, but businesses must be prepared, connected, and positioned to take advantage of them.

The conversation reinforced one thing: building a stronger Black business ecosystem takes connection, preparation, and action. Thank you to our panelists, partners, and everyone who joined us and helped move this important conversation forward.

🎥 Missed the summit? Watch the full conversation here: https://vimeo.com/1225766935/9351889fcf?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

08/31/2026

Happy Monday! As August comes to a close, this is a good moment to look beyond the to-do list and ask a bigger question: what actually deserves your attention as you step into September?

A new month can bring new goals, new opportunities, and new pressure, but progress starts with clarity. Before adding more to your plate, take a moment to review what worked, what slowed you down, and what needs to change so you can move into September with greater focus and intention.

✨ What worked well in August that you should continue?

✨ What challenged your progress or needs to be adjusted?

✨ What is the one priority that deserves your strongest attention in September?

You do not have to carry every unfinished task into a new month. Sometimes the strongest move is to simplify, refocus, and make room for what will create the greatest impact.

What is one priority your business is carrying into September? Share it in the comments.

08/28/2026

TGIF!! As the week comes to a close, we’re looking ahead to the State of Black Business Virtual Summit, a meaningful conversation bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, government representatives, economic development professionals, and resource partners to explore the ideas, opportunities, and resources shaping the future of Black business in Montgomery County.

Black-owned businesses are creating jobs, driving innovation, generating revenue, and strengthening communities every day. The question is: what will it take to ensure these businesses continue to grow, compete, and build lasting economic impact?

The conversation will explore:

✨ Access to capital and sustainable business growth
✨ Government contracting and procurement opportunities
✨ AI, technology, and innovation
✨ Economic opportunity in Montgomery County
✨ Resources and partnerships that help businesses grow and thrive

Moderated by Bola Audena, the conversation will feature tag them -Ynette Evans, Frederick Hawkins, Tony Parchment, Bill Tompkins, Arthur Toole III, and Julye M. Williams.

📅 Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET

💻 Virtual via Zoom

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, resource partner, or community stakeholder, come ready to gain insight, discover resources, and contribute to the conversation about what’s next for Black business in Montgomery County.

Register early, invite a colleague, and share this with someone who should be part of the conversation.

https://www.blackinbusinessawards.com/the-state-of-black-business-summit/