By By Taiwo AKINLAMI
On June 11, 2026, community leaders, entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and immigrant families gathered at the offices of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS) in Columbus, Ohio, not merely to attend another graduation ceremony but to celebrate a remarkable story of economic empowerment, resilience, and community transformation. The occasion marked the culmination of the B.E.G.I.N. with CLAS Initiative, a two-and-a-half-year entrepreneurship and small business development program implemented by ETSS in partnership with Elevate Northland and sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.
The program’s mission was straightforward but ambitious: help immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, strengthen their economic futures, and contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of Central Ohio. The results suggest that mission is being realized. More Than a Training Program, B.E.G.I.N.—an acronym for Build, Educate, Grow, Invest, and Nurture was designed to provide immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, technical assistance, and networks often required to succeed in business but frequently inaccessible to newcomers.
Over the life of the initiative, the program served 105 entrepreneurs across eight cohorts, creating pathways to entrepreneurship for individuals whose talents and ambitions often outpaced their access to resources. Program participation increased dramatically over the last year, rising by 84 percent, from 37 participants in 2024 to 68 in 2025.
Demand became so strong that every 2025 cohort reached full capacity, with waiting lists forming as more aspiring entrepreneurs sought access to the program. The initiative also fostered a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. More than 210 individuals joined networking groups, approximately 90 percent of whom were immigrants, creating relationships and support structures that often prove as valuable as financial capital.
Measurable Success
Perhaps the most striking statistic shared during the celebration was the program’s completion rate. According to ETSS, 100 percent of participants completed the program, developed and delivered elevator pitches, engaged in business planning activities, and connected with peer-support and networking opportunities. Participants also reported significant gains in confidence, business knowledge, and community connectedness. For many, those gains translated into tangible business outcomes.
Businesses That Are Changing Lives
The June 11 celebration highlighted several participant success stories that illustrate the program’s broader impact. Among them was Kitchen Delicious, whose founder, Michelle Saleh, earned recognition through a feature in The Columbus Dispatch. The Kool Kidspiration Mentorship Program expanded to a second location in 2025, extending its reach and influence. Ephata Family School LLC strengthened support systems for immigrant families through relationship coaching and family-centered services. Jimmy’s Car Cleaning Service successfully launched a mobile detailing business with technical support provided through the initiative. Additional participant-led ventures, including Lumina Arts Space and Al Misbah LLC, demonstrated the diversity of businesses emerging from immigrant communities in Central Ohio. Together, these enterprises reflect a powerful truth: immigrant entrepreneurship is not confined to one industry, one culture, or one economic sector. It is a driver of innovation, job creation, and community development.
Building More Than Businesses
What distinguished the B.E.G.I.N. initiative was its recognition that entrepreneurship does not occur in isolation. Through its Community Business Ambassadors program, ETSS assembled experienced entrepreneurs and community leaders who provided mentorship, technical assistance, networking opportunities, and multilingual support. For many participants navigating unfamiliar regulatory systems, financial institutions, and business environments, these relationships became critical sources of encouragement and practical guidance. The result was not simply the creation of businesses but the strengthening of social capital across diverse immigrant communities.
A Model for Economic Inclusion
As policymakers, civic leaders, and economic development professionals across the United States search for effective strategies to support immigrant integration, the B.E.G.I.N. initiative offers a compelling case study. Rather than viewing immigrant and refugee communities through a deficit lens, the program recognized them as reservoirs of talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial potential. The June 11 celebration demonstrated what can happen when that potential is intentionally cultivated through strategic partnerships between community organizations, corporate sponsors, and local stakeholders.
Looking Forward
While the gathering marked the formal conclusion of the B.E.G.I.N. with CLAS initiative, speakers throughout the event emphasized that the graduates’ journeys are only beginning. The businesses launched, expanded, and strengthened through the program will continue contributing to economic growth, neighborhood vitality, and community cohesion across Central Ohio. In a time when public discourse often focuses on the challenges associated with immigration, the stories celebrated on June 11 offered a different narrative. They told the story of people who arrived with dreams, acquired tools and opportunities, built enterprises, and in the process strengthened the communities they now call home. For ETSS, Elevate Northland, JPMorgan Chase, and the 105 entrepreneurs whose achievements were celebrated, the event was more than a graduation ceremony. It was evidence that when investment meets determination, communities flourish.
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