Atlantic City Graduates 27 Aspiring Entrepreneurs through Small Business Academy

Twenty-seven Atlantic City residents celebrated a major milestone this week, completing the City’s Small Business Academy, a free, eight-week training program that prepares residents to start and grow successful businesses.

The program, a partnership between the City of Atlantic City and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), featured expert-led workshops covering essential business topics such as licensing and registration, business planning, goal setting, marketing, and more. The course concluded with a pitch competition where participants presented their business ideas to local professionals for feedback and scoring.

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Tabriah Taylor was named the top presenter for her plan to expand her catering business and received a $15,000 grant from the Inlet Community Development Corporation (CDC). Lonniyell Sykes and Paidra Lucas were awarded second and third place, respectively.

Established in 2021 under the leadership of Mayor Marty Small Sr., the Small Business Academy is part of a larger effort to promote inclusive economic development and equip residents with practical tools for long-term success. The Mayor has prioritized investing in residents as a way to grow the local economy from within, focusing on initiatives that build self-sufficiency, innovation, and opportunity.

The City’s Economic Development Department, led by Bruce Weekes and Pam Fields, coordinated this latest cohort alongside Carmen Gates, AACCNJ Vice President of Community Development and External Affairs. Their efforts reflect the City’s ongoing work to cultivate entrepreneurship at the neighborhood level.

This graduation comes as part of a broader strategy to support small businesses across Atlantic City. Earlier this month, the City launched the Keep it Local campaign and declared May Small Business Month, encouraging residents and visitors to support locally owned businesses and showcasing the vital role these businesses play in the city’s growth and culture.

Together, these efforts signal a clear focus: Atlantic City is committed to being a place where people can thrive, work, and invest. The Small Business Academy is not only helping individuals pursue their dreams, it’s helping to build a stronger, more resilient Atlantic City.

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Photo Credit: Ed Lea / City of Atlantic City