During National Women’s Small Business Month, the American Heart Association will award $65,000 in grants for innovative solutions at national business accelerator finale

(Black PR Wire) DALLAS — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, will host the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Finale on October 21, 2021, at 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST/ 4 p.m. PST. This exclusive event starts at noon EST/11 a.m. CST/9 a.m. PST and registration is required .

During the finale, eight female entrepreneurs will present their innovative business models to a panel of judges for a chance to receive up to $65,000 in grants. EmPOWERED to Serve™ is an initiative that accelerates change in education, business, and communities in order to help overcome structural racism and achieve health justice. The 2021 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ candidates are working to address food access, physical activity, maternal health, access to medical care, economic development and job training:

• Shireen Abdullah, Yumlish, Dallas, TX
• Bahby Banks, Pillar Consulting, Durham, NC
• Victoria Beaty, Growing Places, Indianapolis, IN
• Kimberly Brown, Get Up and Get Moving, Minneapolis, MN
• Maya Page, Carry, Portland, OR
• Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals, Inc., Rochester, NY
• Cynthia Wallace, Bible Center Church, Pittsburgh, PA
• Cornelia Williams, EMTomorrow, Essex, MA

Daymond John, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, will share his personal entrepreneurship journey and his top tips for social entrepreneurs in an exclusive one-hour interview with Sharon Epperson, senior personal finance correspondent for CNBC.

The American Heart Association believes that every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The pursuit of health equity has become a top priority. By 2024 the organization has committed to advancing cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality. Already this year, the American Heart Association announced plans to invest more than $230 million over the next four years to support a series of targeted initiatives and programs addressing health equity, while leading additional efforts to drive systemic public health change focused on improving the social determinants of health and tackling issues of health justice and structural racism. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™  is a critical component of these continuing efforts. Since 2017, 100 entrepreneurs have received business training through the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™, and the Association has awarded more than $570,000 in grants.

Visit empoweredtoserve.org/BA2021 for more information and to register for the finale events.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.