Business Academy Impacts

We’re thrilled to celebrate Adriana Zabala, founder of Alta Vibra LLC, for successfully raising $15,000 on Kiva.org to grow her Spanish-language communications company! Based out of Latin Groove Studios — the only Spanish-language recording studio in the Lowcountry — Alta Vibra... Continue Reading

Charleston, SC – Lowcountry Local First (LLF), a nonprofit focused on local economic development hosted its fourth annual “Ready, Set, Pitch!” competition on October 11, 2025 to award a $10,000 cash prize to a local entrepreneur. Graduates of the organization’s... Continue Reading

We are thrilled to congratulate Summit Grounds, founded by Gina Cordoba—a proud U.S. Army veteran and first-generation Colombian-American—on securing her funding goal of $11,500 through Kiva.org! Gina’s passion for coffee and sustainability shines through every cup. By... Continue Reading

We're thrilled to share that our Community Business Academy (CBA) graduate, Chef Rashaunda Grant, has been featured in The Island Connection! Her work teaching Southern culture through food shines in a recent article highlighting The Carolina Cookery, her cooking studio on James... Continue Reading

Watch Tanya Hearn, Graduate of the Spring 2022 Community Business Academy and owner of Charcuterie Happy Board on Palmetto Life showcasing her beautiful charcuterie boards and cones, the perfect treat for National Picnic Day. View Video Continue Reading

Big congratulations to Tremaine “Abenaa” Moore – a 2024 Pitch finalist – and founder of Naturally Geechee, for securing $4,500 on Kiva.org! Tremaine plans to utilize these funds and meet growing demand head-on by investing in manufacturing equipment, purchasing raw... Continue Reading

We are thrilled to congratulate Andrea Serrano with Glossy Jewellery – our 2023 Pitch competition winner – on securing $10,500 through Kiva.org! This incredible achievement will help Andrea—a talented immigrant entrepreneur—invest in much-needed equipment to craft custom,... Continue Reading

We had an amazing time at the Holy City Holiday Market in Park Circle on Saturday, December 21st! It was incredible to see so many Community Business Academy graduates showcasing their unique products and meeting new customers outside of The Station at Park Circle. From jewelry and art to... Continue Reading

Visit the The Station at Park Circle to explore an array of handcrafted treasures created by talented graduates of the Community Business Academy as part of our Retail Residency Program. Discover hand-poured soy candles from Luzaromas LLC, stunning pressed flower art from Wild Love Botanicals,... Continue Reading

Congratulations to the Fall 2024 graduating class of the Community Business Academy! We believe in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives and build thriving, sustainable communities. Since the program’s launch in Fall 2019, we’re proud to have supported over 300 graduates... Continue Reading

We recently rotated in the third round of Community Business Academy graduates at our Retail Residency Program hosted at The Station Park Circle. From November through December you’ll find handmade crochet pieces from America Distributions, beautiful shoes from Gola Sweetgrass Sandals,... Continue Reading

We’re celebrating Nadine Johnson and Your Mobile Tutor for securing $7,000 on Kiva.org, powered by 106 lenders worldwide! This funding will help Nadine continue her mission of improving K-8 mathematics and K-12 English language arts (ELA) proficiency through her innovative mobile tutoring... Continue Reading