New Tech & Digital CBA Cohort Launched with Comcast Partnership
Sunshine Enterprises launched the first Tech & Digital Community Business Academy (CBA) cohort in Fall 2021 through a new partnership with Comcast. The Tech & Digital CBA is a catered educational program for emerging businesses that are technology-based or innovating processes through a digital lens. Bruce Montgomery and Laura Lane spearheaded the partnership with Comcast, by identifying a unique opportunity to bring digital opportunities to small -businesses. Bruce Montgomery is a Chicago leader in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and is the lead Instructor of the Tech & Digital CBA.
“When the pandemic came along, it put a dramatic exclamation point on families and small -businesses. Knowing how to use technology was critical to working from home, providing education to their family, and maintaining a small -business. A lot of America came to the realization of the importance of technology. My passion is helping diverse entrepreneurs emerge in this very important industry,” shared Bruce.
To that end, Comcast’s Senior Manager of External Affairs, Jourdan Sorrell, collaborated with Sunshine to enact Comcast’s Project UP vision. Comcast donated $10,000 to support SE’s Tech & Digital CBA and is partnering with SE to start and grow businesses and help build their communities.
The first Tech & Digital CBA pilot cohort graduated on December 20, 2021..
“Project UP is an unprecedented commitment to digital equity,” said Sorrell. “We’re so proud to partner with Sunshine Enterprises to help local entrepreneurs build the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.”
Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment, is also part of Project UP and helps provide underrepresented small business owners with the access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Comcast RISE was created in late 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color and the multi-faceted program provides marketing services, technology upgrades and grants to support entrepreneurs hit hardest by the pandemic.
To learn more about how to be involved with, or support, future Tech & Digital CBA cohorts, please reach out to Laura Lane at laura@sunshineenterprises.com or Trenton Blythe at trenton@sunshineenterprises.com.
Apply for the Spring 2022 Tech & Digital CBA (sessions will begin in March).
To learn more about Comcast RISE and to apply, visit www.ComcastRISE.com.