Second Prepare to Prosper Cohort Builds on Success of City’s Entrepreneur Program

The City of Rochester has launched the second cohort of its Prepare to Prosper Business Academy, welcoming 20 local entrepreneurs into an eight-month training program aimed at supporting established Black and Brown business owners and narrowing the city’s racial wealth gap.

The program is run through the City of Rochester Office of Financial Empowerment and builds on the success of its inaugural cohort, which city officials say demonstrated measurable results in helping participants strengthen and grow their businesses.

Prepare to Prosper focuses on strengthening Rochester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through targeted business education, individualized coaching and relationship-building opportunities. Participants receive tailored support in key areas such as financial management, marketing and bookkeeping, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability and growth.

“We saw firsthand how powerful this program can be for local entrepreneurs, which is why we’re proud to welcome a second cohort to Prepare to Prosper,” Mayor Malik D. Evans said in a statement. “By bringing business owners together with the knowledge, connections, and guidance they need, we’re helping Rochester entrepreneurs grow and strengthen our local economy.”

One of the participants, Ja’Corii Smith, founder of Beautifully Nourished, said the program offers an opportunity to sharpen her business strategy while expanding her impact in the community.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to sharpen my business strategy, expand my impact, and continue to build a wellness brand that serves our community from the inside out,” Smith said.

The Prepare to Prosper program is funded through Living Cities, a national collaborative of philanthropic foundations and financial institutions focused on advancing equitable economic opportunity through initiatives such as entrepreneurship and homeownership.

City officials say the academy reflects a broader strategy to invest in local business owners as a pathway to economic stability and inclusive growth in Rochester.