24 June 2024
Registration is now open for Propeller’s Homecoming 2024! Over the course of the week, we welcome you to join us for a slate of Alumni-led workshops, Alumni-hosted panels, networking activities, and opportunities for personalized business development support.
Keynote panelists Vance Vaucresson (Impact Accelerator 2019), Lawrence Martin (Impact Accelerator 2019), and Kathleen Rhodes of D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home host “Propeller Coffee Talk: Celebrating the History and the Future of Black Entrepreneurship in New Orleans,” to elevate the achievements and contributions of Black, native New Orleans business owners and organizational leaders.
Homecoming 2024 concludes with a special cookout featuring food by Coco’s Smokehouse, complete with drinks, music, and an exciting raffle with prizes from Dell! Receive one raffle ticket for each Homecoming event you attend, and for presenting a receipt for proof of purchase or donation at an Impact Accelerator Alumni business.
We have an exciting week of events planned, and we can’t wait to see you!
*Impact Accelerator Alumni only.
Homecoming 2024 Schedule
Monday, July 22, 2024
Beignets & Parfaits*
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Network and enjoy beignets from KD’s NOLA Treats (Impact Accelerator 2022) and parfaits from Freesence (Impact Accelerator 2023). Learn more about Homecoming 2024 activities, enter to win door prizes, and pick up your swag bag!
Propeller Coffee Talk: Celebrating the History and the Future of Black Entrepreneurship in New Orleans*
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Panelists Vance Vaucresson (Impact Accelerator 2019), Lawrence Martin (Impact Accelerator 2019), and Kathleen Rhodes of D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home elevate the achievements and contributions of Black, native New Orleans business owners and organizational leaders.
Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet Propeller’s staff, and learn how Propeller resources can continue to support you and your business’s growth.
Branding and Design Strategies for Small Businesses
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm What's in a name? What's your vibe? What story are you trying to tell & sell? Most entrepreneurs likely know the answer to these questions, but do they also know how to manifest this in the form of actual, physical products and/or digital design elements? Work through strategies to think through your business’ branding with the Founder & Executive Chocolatier of Piety and Desire Chocolate (Impact Accelerator 2019), Christopher Nobles.
Legal Services Intake*
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Attorneys will conduct intake sessions to help address concerns such as contracting, copyright and intellectual property, and entity formation.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Councilmember Panel*
8:30 am - 11:00 am
Come have breakfast and network with Orleans Parish council members to introduce your company and hear their priorities in small business, health, education, food, and water. Confirmed City Councilmembers include Council Member Eugene Green, Councilmemner Helen Moreno, and Councilmember Freddie King.
Strategies to get Your Business to Net Zero
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Enhance your business's aesthetic appeal while promoting biodiversity and reducing environmental impact with Fabian Harper of Flourish Horticulture (Impact Accelerator 2022). Learn innovative strategies to transform your business environment into a thriving, eco-friendly space that supports your net zero goals. Learn sustainable landscaping techniques, energy-efficient design, and carbon footprint reduction methods.
SEBD Info Session
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Learn how to take advantage of the Small and Emerging Business (SEBD) Certification. This free certification qualifies businesses for benefits such as access to specialized training, mentorship, and cost-share funds to assist with short-term contract-based projects.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Health Services Entrepreneurs Coffee Hour
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Health services entrepreneurs are invited to a casual coffee hour featuring networking opportunities, and presentations relevant to health-related businesses. Our partners at TruFund will share about how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can help you grow your business.Healing Movement and Self-Care for Entrepreneurs
Healing Movement for Entrepreneurs
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Shanda Domango of Domango Training (Impact Accelerator 2019) guides you through practical techniques for integrating Healing Movement into your busy schedule as an entrepreneur. Healing Movement organically pairs yoga, meditation, stretching, and intuitive connection to release tension and stress from the body.
Philanthropy Panel*
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Come meet and hear from representatives from philanthropic organizations who will share their funding priorities. Confirmed representatives include Representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, JP Morgan Chase, and The Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Early Childhood Education Roundtable
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join Early Childhood Education industry leaders to discuss challenges, sector updates, and network with local ECE providers and lead agencies.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
DBE Bootcamp
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Representatives from The City of New Orleans Office of Procurement and Bureau of Purchasing along with the City Office of Supplier Diversity (DBE Office) will explain how to apply to requests for proposals from The City of New Orleans.
How to Find Free Health Care
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Casey Urschel, owner of Uptown Benefits (Impact Accelerator 2020) will lay out insurance options for people who are unable to access traditional health insurance or healthcare. This workshop is designed for small business owners looking to provide more information to employees, as well as those interested in health options for themselves as small business owners, or self-employed independent contractors.
CPG Happy Hour: Fund II Information Session
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Soulé Cafe, 2549 Banks St
Director of Access to Capital, Patrick Hernandez presents on Propeller’s Fund II loan opportunity, designed especially for CPG ventures. This workshop is held in partnership with New Orleans Food and Beverage. This event will take place at Soulé Cafe (Impact Accelerator 2022), 2549 Banks Street.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Developing Social Media Campaigns to Elevate Your Brand and Fundraise
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Harness the transformative potential of social media to enhance your brand and amplify your fundraising efforts. This session will provide tools to design cost efficient, impactful social media campaigns that effectively drive engagement and achieve your marketing objectives.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Alumni Town Hall*
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
We need feedback from our alumni community to inform programming and resources that are best suited to your needs! Join us for a discussion regarding the future of Propeller programming and resources.
Homecoming Cookout*
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Celebrate the hard work of our alumni to uplift New Orleans and welcome the 2024 Impact Accelerator Class at this cookout that will conclude our 2024 Alumni Homecoming Week.
*Impact Accelerator Alumni only.