BOSTON – Black CannaBusiness (BCB) and Parallel are continuing their successful collaboration on their groundbreaking national education series aimed at CEOs of color in the cannabis industry. The Black Cannabusiness CEO Intensive Program is a six-week, executive training program for cannabis business owners, featuring both virtual and in-person workshops and training. The program is free to participants, as all program costs are covered by Parallel. The initiative began with a Northeast cohort in Boston on 4/20 of last year, and after training more than 75 CEOs across five cohorts in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Tampa, and Pittsburgh, the program is now returning to the City of Champions to kickoff its 2023 series.
As the program enters its second year, the program is seeking to expand its reach in core markets and double the number of entrepreneurs served.
“We had a great inaugural year and were honored to be able to work with over 75 entrepreneurs across the country. Entering year two, it is important for us to return to Boston to check up on our initial cohort and to reach a new class of entrepreneurs now that we’ve established a track record of success,” said James Jackson, Senior Director of Social Equity at Parallel.
Minority cannabis business owners will participate in a two-day in-person session with cannabis founders and professionals, completing structured exercises and receiving mentorship from leading subject matter experts and practitioners in the industry April 27th-28th. Interested entrepreneurs can join the cohort by submitting an application detailing their business, movement, and mission. Applications are open now and all minority business owners in the cannabis space, as well as those aspiring to start a business in the cannabis space, are encouraged to apply.
Program founder and instructor Brandon Wyatt Esq. says a key component of this program is community building, which is central to success in the cannabis industry.
“No business can survive in isolation. Through our BCB Mastermind experience, Mastermind participants are able to reestablish the vital business ecosystems and community trust which has been intentionally altered by the ‘war on drugs,’” said Wyatt.
With their ‘hands-on’ industry experience and advocacy, BCB Instructors understand the barriers to entry for cannabis business owners. With the personalized and open format learning process, program participants will increase their knowledge and real-world application. By connecting with a multi-state cannabis company like Parallel, participants are provided with an additional level of industry insight that is invaluable to entrepreneurs. The pairing is also a unique way to increase participation in the industry through access and business connections in Parallel’s operating markets.
As the program enters its second year, the program co-founder Todd Hughes says, “I am most excited for the BCB cohort participants’ engagement, expansion of resources, network, and leadership involvement with our alumni. Participants will join a family of other minority business owners striving to create change and adopt key core principles that will inspire and empower communities and the next generation of trailblazers to protect and advocate for our future liberties. Our alumni are a collective of unique and motivated individuals with diverse skill sets who are eager to see this industry grow. This collaboration will build a more inclusive and equitable industry in the present and the future.”
Learn more at www.bcbmastermind.com.
Applications are open now.
The BCB CEO Mastermind with Parallel
