Investing in entrepreneurs. Supporting South Florida.
The Regions Big Bike rode into Miami as part of Regions Celebration Week. The weeklong event included bringing a transformative program to help South Florida small businesses and providing financial contributions to community partners.
Investing in Entrepreneurs
Approximately 70 South Florida-area small-business owners received tuition-free, high-impact training from nationally recognized experts at the
Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) Miami main event.
Likened to a “mini-MBA in a day,” ICCC was recruited to Miami by Regions Bank. The program gives entrepreneurs in urban or economically underserved or distressed areas access to quality business training they may otherwise not be able to access or afford. The result is more companies are empowered with more tools to survive and thrive.
“ICCC is a game-changer for business development,” said Tammi Calvo-Sanchez, Miami Market Executive for Regions Bank. “This workshop was unlike any other – a free, powerful program designed to help South Florida entrepreneurs scale to new heights. The message to small businesses is there are people and organizations here to invest in your success.”
A one-day, in person workshop was just completed, but this is more than just a seminar. It’s a hands-on program built around the needs of participants. Attendees completed a thorough application process. ICCC instructors included nationally recognized business educators and coaches. Business trainers from Regions and other organizations also delivered personalized, one-on-one expertise for attendees.
ICCC is a game-changer for business development. This workshop was unlike any other – a free, powerful program designed to help South Florida entrepreneurs scale to new heights.Tammi Calvo-Sanchez, Miami Market Executive for Regions Bank
ICCC is offered at no cost to business owners thanks to support from Regions Bank and community partners. The program also offers 40 follow-up hours of webinars and access to a national ICCC conference for qualified businesses.
ICCC is part of the nonprofit Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, which was founded by Harvard Business School Professor Dr. Michael Porter to strengthen urban areas through education and private-sector investment.
“ICCC is like a ‘mini-MBA on steroids’ because so much information was packed into the main training event – and follow-up support continues for a long time after,” said Steve Grossman, CEO of ICIC. “This was and continues to be an unmatched opportunity for growth-oriented businesses to access top-tier, tuition-free training and connect with leading experts.”
Since ICCC’s inception in 2005, more than 5,800 businesses have participated in ICCC events across the country. Those businesses have since raised over $2.4 billion in capital and created over 26,000 jobs. This year marks 10 years of Regions working with ICCC.
“We often treat entrepreneurship as an island, but it really is a team sport,” said Keisha Mabry Haymore, who took part in Regions-sponsored ICCC programs twice in St. Louis. She used the workshops to help take her professional networking company, heyFRIEND, to new heights.
“What ICCC does is put people in a room as possibility models,” Mabry Haymore added. “Along with amazing program facilitators, there are amazing peers sitting to your right and left, front and back, who have their own experiences and their own stories.”
Celebrating Community
Before and after the ICCC workshop, the Regions Big Bike paraded through South Florida and made several stops at bank branches and more as part of Miami Celebration Week. Community partners also received financial support over the course of the weeklong event.
A grant of $11,000 was given to Branches, a nonprofit that provides life-changing opportunities for nearly 15,000 Miami residents every year to help them break the cycle of generational poverty.
“Celebration Week is a recognition of the commitment to community from Regions and our community partners all year long,” said Hanai Sablich, Community Relations District Leader for Regions. She is also a board member at Branches. “Together, we’re committed to fostering inclusive growth and prosperity to make life better.”
Team members from Branches partner with families by helping them build education and financial assets, community and hope.
We are honored that a pillar in our community such as Regions Bank has an affinity to support the community and recognizes our transformative mission.Andrea Ivory, executive director of WBHI
“Branches is incredibly grateful to Regions Bank for empowering our Miami community by supporting essential financial wellness services,” said Brent McLaughlin, President & CEO of Branches. “This contribution has made it possible for us to provide personal financial coaching, micro-business development, free tax preparation, and more, helping individuals and families build a foundation for long-term financial stability.”
More than $7,000 was additionally given to the Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative (WBHI), Pembroke Pines Charter Schools, Recapturing The Vision International, the Hialeah Special Populations Project and others. WBHI is a nonprofit which transforms and saves lives through disease prevention and early detection. It serves low-income individuals where they live, work and shop to break down barriers that prohibit them from participating in early detection.
“We transform and save lives. We provide preventive screenings, health education, care coordination and patient navigation at no cost to our participants. Although our services are provided at no cost to our participants and college students, they are at a cost to us. We must raise funds to provide these services,” said Andrea Ivory, executive director of WBHI. “We are honored that a pillar in our community such as Regions Bank has an affinity to support the community and recognizes our transformative mission. It is support like this that is a lifeline to those who benefit from our lifesaving mission”
Regions Bank also gave back to first responders, healthcare heroes, and the community. Associates gave out lunch to firefighters and medical staff at several stops throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Meals were also given to healthcare workers in Delray Beach following the grand opening of Regions’ modernized Delray Beach branch.