The Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce (NVBCC) is proud to announce a meaningful partnership with the Washington D.C. Chapter of SCORE, aimed at enriching the educational experience for the Economic Evolution Accelerator Program Founder graduates. This collaboration will provide founders with vital mentorship from experienced business leaders, resources such as business planning tools, and ongoing education in the form of extended workshops and seminars for founders ready to grow and scale their businesses.

The Economic Evolution Accelerator Program, developed by the NVBCC, is a comprehensive program that equips emerging Black entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge to flourish in today’s competitive landscape. It covers strategic planning, marketing competitiveness, AI business tools, certifications, and more. SCORE’s extensive network and expertise will enhance the Accelerator’s impact on supporting founder graduates as they navigate growing their enterprises.

“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to fostering a robust ecosystem for Black-owned businesses in Northern Virginia,” said LeAnn White, Executive Director at NVBCC. “By collaborating with SCORE, we’re ensuring our founders have access to valuable resources and mentorship that will empower them long after graduation.”

SCORE is the largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors in the country. Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 17 million entrepreneurs. Jon Heimerman, Chair of SCORE Washington DC, with over 80 industry-specific mentors serving DC, Maryland (Prince George’s & Montgomery County) and Northern Virginia said, “We are excited to partner with the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce in providing critical, one-on-one business assistance to the graduates of their Economic Evolution Accelerator Program. These graduates represent entrepreneurs and businesses ready to go to the next level—something we’ve been doing for 60 years.”

“Partnerships like this are critical to driving lasting change in our community and expanding opportunities for Black business owners in Northern Virginia,” said Tonya Poindexter, Board Chair of NVBCC. “By collaborating with SCORE, we’re not just offering resources—we’re building a foundation for long-term business growth and success, ensuring that Black entrepreneurs are empowered to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the broader economy.”

NVBCC is committed to ensuring that our founder graduates are not only equipped with foundational and advanced knowledge, but also have access to ongoing resources and mentorship as they grow their enterprises.

This partnership underscores NVBCC’s unwavering dedication and mission to empower Black-owned businesses in Northern Virginia and promote the region’s economic growth through education, advocacy, opportunities, and resources. For the Accelerator’s founder graduates, this is an extra step to foster continuous learning and development on their journey to success.

For more information about the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Evolution Accelerator Program, and how to get involved or support this partnership, please visit northernvirginiabcc.org.