Memory of local business advocate honored with Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
To honor the memory of long-time Arizona Financial board member Kelvin Smith’s contribution to his community, the credit union has established the Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant in partnership with Local First Arizona and its We Rise program.
Each year, a $10,000 grant will be gifted to a deserving small business who graduated from We Rise, a small-business accelerator with specific focus on black entrepreneurs, according to a press release.
Mr. Smith served on Arizona Financial board since 1997, proudly representing the interests of their member-owners for 27 years, the release states.
“As an organization, we are so grateful for Kelvin’s contributions to Arizona Financial and our growth over his many years of service on our board,” says Amy Hysell, president and CEO of Arizona Financial, in a prepared statement.
“But personally, he was such a ray of light to all he interacted with and such a heart for small business owners as he understood the challenges they face each and every day. We are honored to uphold his legacy with this grant and look forward to the change it brings for the future recipients.”
We Rise is a six-month business accelerator program through Local First Arizona offering comprehensive and practical business skills to Arizona’s Black entrepreneurs. Business owners receive classroom instruction and mentorship from Black entrepreneurs with firsthand experience and expertise in starting or growing a small business in Arizona.
The program exposes start-up or experienced businesses that are missing fundamental components of entrepreneurship to the nuts and bolts needed to build a successful business in Arizona’s economy.
To be considered for the Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant, We Rise graduates will participate in a Shark Tank style sales pitch, with the top pitch awarded the grant. The first grant will be gifted in his honor in June 2024.
