Georgetown County Chamber announces Minority Business Accelerator graduates and Business Plan & Pitch grant recipients
May 28, 2026
The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the graduates of the 2026 Minority Business Accelerator. The five-month program concluded with a celebration on May 26, 2026, for the program’s fifth class.
Class members for the 2026 cohort completing the program include:
- Imani Atkins, Golden Ré Cocktails
- Shanelle Balfour, Phi Transport and Therapy Services, LLC
- Veronica Black, Mimi’s Lemonade Boba
- Harriett Bromell, Natural Aromas, LLC
- Holland Carley, Carolina Strand Underwriters Insurance
- Tammy Dease, Beauty Secrets
- Alexis Dennison, A&A Reset Lounge
- Susan Gamble, Gamble Travel Specialties
- Shana Green, Write the Vision Event Group & Design
- Mack Lewis, JAI, LLC
- Christina Murray, All Hilom Apotheca, LLC
- Katherine Pittman, Trinity Body Lab
- Kiley Shipp, Trinity Body Lab
- Pamela Smith, All Hilom Apotheca, LLC
- Melissa Wise, Southern Sense Catering
As the culminating activity of the Minority Business Accelerator program, participants developed and presented a comprehensive business plan before a panel of business professionals. This year, for the first time, cohort members also participated in a public Pitch Night, giving them the opportunity to present their business concepts before a live audience. Business development grants were awarded to the top contenders in recognition of their outstanding presentations, preparation, and entrepreneurial potential.
Business grant recipients include:
- Imani Atkins – Golden Rè Cocktails, $5,000 business grant; Ms. Atkins also received a $1,000 grant for capturing top honors in the program’s pitch presentations held May 14
- Holland Carley – Carolina Strand Underwriters Insurance, $2,500 business grant
- Veronica Black – Mimi’s Lemonade Boba, $1,000 business grant
The Chamber extends special thanks to the Coastal Community Foundation, SC Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement, Georgetown County Economic Development, and Groucho’s Deli of Georgetown for their generous support of the program and continued investment in entrepreneurship and economic opportunity in Georgetown County.
The Chamber also gratefully recognizes the many speakers, presenters, facilitators, mentors, and business professionals who volunteered their time and expertise throughout the program’s five months of formal classes, working alongside participants to help guide, encourage, and strengthen their entrepreneurial journeys.
Special thanks are extended to Tiffany Harrison, program facilitator, and Catherine Dixon, program coordinator, for their leadership, guidance, and dedication throughout the Minority Business Accelerator program. Their commitment to supporting and encouraging local entrepreneurs played an important role in the success of this year’s program.
The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce launched the Minority Business Accelerator program in 2021 to support and strengthen minority-owned businesses through education, mentorship, business planning, leadership development, and access to resources.
For more information about the program, please contact Catherine Dixon, Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, 843-546-8436 or [email protected].
