High School Students Receive Mentoring From Women Leaders
Twenty female students from high schools around the DMV received mentoring from local women leaders on March 21.
Hosted at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), the event’s goal was to expose students to various women industry leaders and to raise awareness about different options for college and career pathways.
Some of the speakers included women leaders and executives from the Prince George’s County government, PGCC, CareFirst, Exxon Mobil, EY, Fearless Arts Media, George Mason University, Guidehouse, Howard University, Management Solutions Consulting Group, Mortenson Construction, Pepco, Preferred Capitol Cleaning, Prince George’s Community College, and the Prince George’s County Government.
President and CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area Rosie Allen-Herring served as one of the speakers and her organization, which partnered with Women United to host this mentoring session, plans to continue offering support to Prince George’s County Public Schools students.
“They heard from female panelists and roundtable moderators on what steps they took to achieve success in their chosen fields. The day also highlighted the need for menstrual equity and the challenges families face in obtaining products to support the women in their household in achieving their own academic or career goals,” said Nedelka Phillips, senior vice president for United Way of the National Capital Area. “The students and female leaders participated in a kit-packing activity for all attendees to provide feminine hygiene products back to their respective schools.”
Local Women-Only Gym Opens Second Location in Hyattsville
Just four years after opening her first location, Her Flex Fitness owner Samiyah Williams is proud to build an intentional safe space while uplifting other women’s fitness journeys. A gym operated by and for women, Williams opened a second location in Hyattsville and began offering classes in February.
“I wanted to create a name that lets women know that this space is for you,” said Williams. “I really just wanted to have an outlet for women to come in, love on themselves, be selfish for an hour.”
To describe the space, Her Flex Fitness member Alexis Anderson had three words: “empowering, transformative, special.”
Even though it wasn’t easy to get off the ground, Williams hopes to expand to more locations in the future. Her first location is in Forestville on Marlboro Pike. In 2022, she expanded the space to double her parking and grow her client base.
M&T Bank Announces Spanish-Language Business Incubator Program
M&T Bank launched their second annual Spanish-language business accelerator on March 21.
Led by representatives from M&T and the Prince George’s Economic Development Council (PGEDC), the seven-week program will offer courses on business planning, establishing credit, managing bank accounts, marketing, branding, and licensing. Sessions will be held entirely in Spanish, and small business owners interested in participating in the program must complete an online application by April 5, be fluent in Spanish, based in Prince George’s, and in good business standing.
“We’re excited to bring our 0-100 Small Business Accelerator back this year as we continue to support Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in Prince George’s County,” said M&T Bank’s Regional Sales Manager Vickie Mejia. “The response we received to last year’s program was overwhelming, and we are grateful to work with [PGEDC] to expand this year’s offering. Ultimately, our program is an investment not only in the entrepreneurs who participate in the program but the social capital of the wider community.”
The 0-100 Business Accelerator Program’s courses will be held on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. ET, at PGEDC, 1801 McCormick Drive, Largo, Maryland, and the program will conclude June 14 with a graduation.
There will also be an award ceremony for the first-place winner of a $4,500 pitch competition, funded by M&T Bank.
Registration is free for the first 30 participants.
“We are thrilled about the return of the impactful 0 to 100 Business Accelerator Program and Pitch Competition. This year, the program has been specialized to provide more growth and strengthening opportunities for businesses,” said Rocio Treminio-Lopez, who was recently appointed as Latin Business Liaison for PGEDC. “With the use of one-on-one mentoring sessions, each business will receive specific mentoring and resources to help them succeed, which will have positive reverberations throughout the county.”