REDF

A big welcome to the final 4 entrepreneurs and 2 enterprises that make up our 2025 #REDFAccelerator cohort! 💫 Chana Makale’a Dudoit Ane & Kaulana Thibedoux hail from Maui and represent LIVING PONO PROJECT. Grounded in their values of ohana (family), kuleana (responsibility), and being pono (doing the right thing), The Living Pono Project’s social enterprise includes sustainable livestock production, a native nursery, crop production, nutrient and mulching, and landscape restoration. Nate Stone & Shane Schachere join the cohort from Spír Candle Co.. Each item sold by Spir Candle Co. is handmade by young men with periods of incarceration. On the job, they receive mentorship, a space to breathe, and the opportunity to become who they aspire to be. We cannot wait to watch this cohort of employment social enterprises tackle the challenges of growing a business together - and to witness the ripple effect their success has on their communities and our economy.

Meet our 2025 #REDFAccelerator entrepreneurs leading employment social enterprises across the Eastern Seaboard. 👏 Dusty Cooper, MBA, CEC & Yael Reichler join us from DC Central Kitchen, where hands-on culinary job training leads to living wage jobs delivering farm-to-school meals, supplying fresh produce to corner stores, and operating fast-casual cafes through DC. Christina Biandola & Mahlia Lindquist lead the team at Dragonfly Thrift Boutique in Miami, a social enterprise thrift boutique that employs women returning home from incarceration and connects them with housing and other wraparound support as they return home. Cooper Blackwell & Mysha Holland of OIC of Rocky Mount join the cohort from eastern North Carolina. Their health center social enterprise has delivered comprehensive healthcare, construction services, and high-quality career training for untapped talent for 50 years.

Join us in welcoming six entrepreneurs representing three Midwest employment social enterprises to our 2025 #REDFAccelerator cohort! 🚀 Danielle S Parker & Dion Dawson join us from Dion's Chicago Dream, an employment social enterprise revolutionizing food equity through last-mile delivery and logistics. Dion’s expands access to fresh produce for Chicago families and creates living-wage jobs for people overcoming barriers to employment. Elvis Eneh & Reda Ibrahim represent us from RK Contractors LLC, a construction employment social enterprise operating in Kansas City, MO. RK Contractors delivers master-level services to the community while creating employment and training opportunities for immigrants and Missourians overcoming barriers to employment. Chris Santillan & Rosa Mayer join the cohort from Unlocked Labs, a social enterprise founded by justice-impacted technologists dedicated to improving access to education for those still incarcerated. Based out of St. Louis, they operate a digital learning platform for incarcerated students to deliver web development and coding education programs.

Time to meet our 2025 #REDFAccelerator cohort. Today, we’re kicking it off with the leaders from California! ✨ Jakki Bedsole & Laura Hackney join us from AnnieCannons in Oakland. At AnnieCannons, coding training and job readiness prep are paired with community connection to support individuals who have experienced human trafficking launch sustainable tech careers. Andrew Nishimoto & Liz Luevano are crafting community and opportunity at Wrigley Coffee in Long Beach. At this coffeehouse, individuals overcoming barriers to employment brew up specialty coffee in a trauma-informed workplace, and receive coaching and training to grow as skilled leaders. Learn more about the Accelerator: https://lnkd.in/gixMu3YR

We are wrapping up our first week in Austin with the 2025 #REDFAccelerator cohort - and we know you can’t wait to meet them too!  This year, we’re bringing together pairs of entrepreneurs from 10 employment social enterprises for our six-month Accelerator program. Together, and with the support of a network of coaches, these 20 leaders will develop strategies and plans for action to grow and strengthen their businesses. Stay tuned—starting next week, we’ll be introducing you to the inspiring entrepreneurs and impact enterprises that make up this new cohort.  Until then, here are some highlights from our first convening. ✨

Celebrating Black Entrepreneurs and Leaders Creating Lasting Change ✨ This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating a handful of Black entrepreneurs in the REDF Community who are redefining business and shaping a more inclusive economy. Through their vision, resilience, and leadership, these changemakers are not only creating jobs but strengthening communities, and proving that talent is everywhere— opportunity should be too. From leading innovative employment social enterprises (ESEs) to providing individuals with the services and resources needed to thrive - their impact is lasting. Join us in celebrating their contributions and drop some love in the comments!

Bayron (right): “I think we have to start leading with love. I think we have to start looking at each other as connections. We watched the world isolate, and that didn't work for a lot of people. So we know we really need connection. We know we need community. We know we need people. We know we need each other, and we got to start with that.” Ian (left): “ The work that we do is very hard. I don't want to say that's exclusive to Urban Alchemy. I think that’s the work of social justice and social equity, I believe that we're walking uphill. And so, it's important that we stay rooted in those missions and stay together. You know, we're stronger together.” Bayron (right): “And if we lead with love and there's more people on that side, not only will we continue to win, we'll continue to change…I think it's not a moment, it's really a movement. And I think we got to be a part of that change, that movement.” Bayron Wilson, Chief of Operations, and Ian Clark Johnson, Chief of Talent and Development, Urban Alchemy More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

Our “In Community” series is back—spotlighting the bold entrepreneurs driving the employment social enterprise movement. Inspired by Humans of New York, we handed them the mic at last year’s annual retreat to share their journeys, the power of community, and the wisdom they’ve gained. Enjoy! Bayron (right): "We transform spaces that are [at] an intersection between mental health, substance use, and addiction. There's no short to this work. The work is extremely hard. Heart work. Not hard. But it's God's work. Let's be clear on that. Urban is not a code word for black it just means inner cities and communities. Alchemy means transforming something from a base model to a gold, and that's what we've done.” Ian (left): “After 14 years in prison for a life sentence on a crime I did commit that I take accountability for, I worked hard to turn my life around. I came home with a goal to give back to my community [and] Urban Alchemy was [the] first job I've ever had in my life as a practitioner. …It's about opportunity and understanding that if I…do my best every day and continue to do the work and put my head down and focus and communicate, and just support with an open heart, open arms and love I'm not only creating more opportunities for myself, I'm creating opportunities for other people like me who are coming home with the same goals to give back to the community.” Bayron Wilson, Chief of Operations, and Ian Clark Johnson, Chief of Talent and Development, Urban Alchemy More on our “In Community” Series: https://bit.ly/47xLRSa

Invest in What Works: Protect Jobs & Economic Opportunity in Los Angeles❗ LA:RISE creates pathways to stability—helping over 9,500 Angelenos gain employment, skills, and economic independence. But despite Measure A’s passage, which was meant to increase resources for homelessness solutions, the LA County Homeless Initiative is proposing a 78% budget cut to this vital program. Why It Matters: ✅ Jobs are key to long-term stability & housing security ✅ LA:RISE strengthens businesses, communities, and the local economy ✅ Everyone deserves the tools, resources, and services needed to thrive A comprehensive approach to ending homelessness includes workforce and employment solutions. Let’s ensure LA:RISE continues to create opportunity, stability, and success for our communities! How can YOU help? 📢 ➡️ Share this post to amplify awareness ➡️ Take Action: Contact your LA County Supervisor & urge them to restore funding. https://bit.ly/3WXTzks ➡️ Stay Updated and Engaged: Check out our latest blog post for current and ongoing LA:RISE updates: https://bit.ly/42O1ggP #LARISE

What a night to remember! ✨ We had the privilege of hosting The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP) at our San Francisco office last week for a screening of Firebreak, telling the story of Accelerator fellow, Chief Brandon N. Smith, and Chief Royal Ramey, two men changing lives through firefighting!  From board members, staff, and partners to legislators, funders, and the filmmakers— a massive thank you to the powerful group of people who came together to witness the power of employment social enterprise. FFRP, thank you for all you do behind the scenes to create impactful change!