FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2026
MIDLANDS BUSINESS ACCELERATOR ANNOUNCES 2026 COHORT
Class of 2025 Cohort Graduates Seven Local Business Leaders.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Chamber’s Midlands Business Accelerator program recently graduated 2025 program participants and announced the 2026 class.
The Midlands Business Accelerator (MBA) helps scale high-potential firms through targeted training, dedicated business coaching, and direct access to large corporations. Participants complete an intensive program built around a rigorous curriculum developed by Wendell Jones. Participants collaborate closely with financial experts, business coaches, and peer cohorts to create a customized three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan. This plan is tailored to each business and outlines the specific strategies and tactics the owner and team will implement to drive revenue growth, strengthen financial management, and improve access to capital.
Graduating from the 2025 program were seven local, small business owners:
Isaiah and Jessica Carswell, The Food Academy
Kelly Simmons III, Empowered To Win
Keyosha Oree, TrueLight
Luis Serrano, Arion Construction
Michael Eargle, M.E. Contracting
Pelham Myers, P&B Promotionals
At the December 3rd graduation ceremony, Kelly Simmons III received the MBA Excellence Award for his dedication and growth throughout the program.
The 2026 class will kick off their program in January:
M. Lee Hughes, Ace Handyman Services
James Glover, Complete Comfort Air
Noralba Hurtado, Clean and Fresh
Crystal Masincupp, Agent, Edward Jones
Delanore Troupe, Emryn Virtual Solutions
Quan Jenkins, Eunoia Soul Apothecary & Wellness
Michael Parkins, GreenGuard Commercial Cleaning
Kristen Javis, Javis Financial Services
Karen Erinfolami, Karen's Kitchen and Catering
Joni Floyd, Magic Touch Alterations and Embroidery
France Jackson, Rice & Gravy Studio
The Midlands Business Accelerator is a program of the Columbia Chamber in partnership with the South Carolina Business Accelerator. The South Carolina Business Accelerator is a statewide initiative formed by Greenville Chamber, Charleston Metro Chamber and the Columbia Chamber.
Funded with a seed grant from Bank of America, the initiative was designed to advance economic inclusion across the state of South Carolina by helping to reduce the economic disparities. The initiative provides opportunities for economic growth and prosperity for high-potential owned firms. MBA is a major economic development tool of the Columbia Chamber and is designed to make businesses more competitive.
Learn more at www.columbiachamber.com.
About the Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, nonprofit, partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural, and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy, and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.
To become a partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs, and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.
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