Empowering Underserved Entrepreneurs: Leatherby Center’s Big Win

Chapman University’s Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics has bagged a cool $1 million grant to become the Inclusive Innovation Hub for Orange County. The grant, spread out over four years, is set to supercharge the Leatherby Center’s mission of nurturing entrepreneurship in communities that often get overlooked – think women, people of color, and veterans. The goal? To give female founders, people of color, vets, and other underrepresented groups the tools they need to go head-to-head for investment funds, or to kickstart their own businesses and achieve financial freedom. Cynthia West, the director of the Leatherby Center, is stoked about the opportunity. “We’re all about coaching and supporting female founders, people of color, vets, and other underrepresented folks so they can really make their mark in the business world,” she said. “We can’t wait to get started and make big things happen in our community.” The Inclusive Innovation Hub programs will cover everything from getting ready for entrepreneurship, to having mentors, resident entrepreneurs, and a startup crew.