Launch Savannah participants pictured with City of Savannah Economic Development Department staff, and Nick Palumbo and Dwayne Stevens from The Creative Coast.

The City of Savannah recently welcomed the inaugural class of Launch Savannah, a new business accelerator program offered by the Economic Development Department in partnership with The Creative Coast and the Small Business Assistance Corporation.

Launch Savannah is a 12-week intensive, in-person series designed to provide an elevated business education experience to participants and is aimed at building small, local, and minority owned businesses. Launch Savannah was developed in response to a recommendation from the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Task Force.

Applications for Launch Savannah opened on April 30 during the 2024 Mayor’s Small Business Conference. Over 100 applications were received. Applicants were required to submit a pitch video about their business venture or concept for a review panel to consider.

The Launch Savannah inaugural class consists of 15 entrepreneurs including:

Mahogany Bowers (The Y Bar)

Omar Akbar (Serve N Serve Express Services)

Amber Epperson (The Scented Vine)

Iman Atiba (IOA Enterprises, LLC)

Charlese McCoy-Hall (Sweets and Treats)

Jennifer Gogo (Just Safety Training)

Todd Rhodes (Royal Rhodes Lawn Service)

Andrea Flowers (Pamper & Play Kids Spa

Shamela Townsel (Global Groove Dance and Fitness)

Deborah Brown-Pullin (Staging By Design)

Tamekia Lemon (Agape & Trinity Healthcare Services)

Will Hornsby (Kapala)

Dr. Jamal Lawrence (Harvest Health MD)

Kathrine McKee (Vibe Check)