2020 National EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ 

Uniquely positioned to help social entrepreneurs and innovators post COVID-19 to make maximum impact in their communities.

Learn more about the accelerator and the application process.

2020 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ 

The American Heart Association has championed health equity for all people for nearly a century. One way we’ve done that is by supporting social entrepreneurs as they work to transform the health and wellbeing of their communities.

Learn more about the application process

Download a sample application (PDF)

New for all  2020 participants, the YWCA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will offer businesses training to all applicants of the
EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator.

Meet the  2019 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator innovators

First-place recipient Russell Fearon was awarded a $50,000 grant plus an additional $5,000 for receiving the most fan votes for his diabetes management wearable device.

Second-place recipient Jeremy Goss received a $20,000 grant in support of The Link Market, which addresses food insecurity and transportation barriers by providing affordable groceries at metro  stations.  

Learn more about Fearon, Goss and the other seven social entrepreneurs who participated in trainings and received grants as part of the 2019 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator (TM).

Since we launched four years ago we have:

Made a health impact through organizations that address food insecurity, transportation, access to healthcare, STEM, youth education and more.

Gardener in front of his community garden

Trained 38 social entrepreneurs
who want to help improve
communities.

Gardener in front of his community garden

Provided almost
$500,000 in
grant funding.

Alumni Impact

These stories feature the critical impact the Business Accelerator Alumni in local communities nationwide.

Brittany Young (second from right) at a dirt bike showcase in Baltimore. (Photo courtesy of Javon Roye)

She turns dirt bikers into science stars 
2019 Alumni
Brittany Young - B-360

Unique market ensures St. Louis gets its 'medicine' – healthy food
2019 Alumni Jeremy Goss - The Link
Corrie Health

Heart attack survivors can thank her dad for new recovery tools
2018 Alumni Dr. Francoise Marvel - Corrie Health

A Tiny Comic A Kid's Guide to COVID-19
2018 Alumni
Sunny Williams - Tiny Docs

Watch EmPOWERED to Serve in Action

Videos that reflect the powerful impact EmPOWERED to Serve has in the community.

Stories that transform the world in which we live.

  • Second Empowered and Well Virtual Town Hall | Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Dr. Jennifer Ellis, Pastor Sonjia Dickerson and Pastor Hosea Collins convened to continue the conversation about the impact of COVID-19 on our communities and what we can do to advocate for healthier, more equitable policies.

    Jul 1, 2020

  • Inaugural Virtual Faith Community Town Hall meeting with Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, the AHA’s chief medical officer for prevention, and Pastor Sonjia B. Dickerson of Dayspring Family Church in Dallas.

    Apr 20, 2020

  • Tamela Mann Talks Health Journey as heard on Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell

    Dec 4, 2019

  • Watch highlights of the 2019 business accelerator candidates and their business solutions for health equity, social justice and longer, healthier, more productive lives.

    Dec 2, 2019

  • Listen to Jeremy Goss speaking about The Link Market, which addresses food insecurity and transportation barriers by providing affordable groceries at metro stations.  

    Oct 24, 2019

Statement of Relationship

YWCA SBDC is collaborative partner of the American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED to Serve.

Statement of Relationship
Learn more about the Economic Empowerment Services of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).