Business Start Here

OUR WORK

From Fragmentation to Coordination

Explore Our Racial Wealth Gap Report

Infrastructure for Collaboration

Community Mobilization

When leadership and organizations work together, communities benefit. 

Community Exchange

A shared platform connecting business owners, business serving organizations, and ecosystem partners to streamline referrals, improve coordination, and track collective progress.

Small Businesses Start Here

Exchange Labs

Facilitated convenings where partners align around shared goals, data, and strategy-turning insight into coordinated action. 

Village Institute

Strong ecosystems require strong leaders. Together we will build a pipeline of change agents who can advocate, collaborate, and steward long-term impact.

Legacy Lives Here Luncheon

In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, the Legacy Lives Here Luncheon brings our community together to honor legacy, uplift collective giving, and invest in a future rooted in ownership and generational wealth.

Infrastructure for Economic Mobility

Community Revitalization through Entreprenuership

When we focus on business corridors, business growth and neighborhood stability move together protecting culture, expanding ownership, and building local wealth.

Reimagine the Block

Place-based revitalization strategy strengthening corridors through coordinated business support, ownership pathways, and community stewardship.

DATA & NARRATIVE

Data & Shared Community Narratives

We pair lived experience with shared data to inform smarter decisions and strengthen accountability across the ecosystem.

Racial Wealth Profile

A place-based analysis highlighting gaps in ownership, capital access, and economic mobility across Central Florida.
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Scaling Support for EBO

Key insights and recommendations from community stakeholders on next steps for scaling and strengthening EBO.
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RACIAL WEALTH PROFILE

The Data That Drives Our Work

These numbers surface opportunities for stronger alignment fueling coordinated, ecosystem-wide growth.

3%
  • Black-Owned Business in Central Florida.
$176,000
  • Black Business Owner's Avg. Annual Payroll compared to regional avg.
27%
  • Homeownership Rate in Orlando for Black households
38%
  • Median Household Income Gap below regional median
1 in 10
  • Access to Capital Black entrepreneurs funded

Strong Businesses.

Stronger Communities.

Whether you are a business owner, partner, funder, or community advocate there is a role for you.

Invest in the Work

Rosene Johnson

Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement

Introducing Rosene Johnson – a beacon of innovation, energy, and leadership in the world of nonprofit business. As a distinguished C-suite executive, Rosene’s passion lies in nurturing strong communities and enhancing the lives of girls, children, and individuals with disabilities. Her dynamic approach and unwavering commitment have not only shaped her career but have also made a tangible difference in the world around her.
Rosene’s journey is marked by significant achievements and accolades, including the prestigious recognition by the Orlando Business Journal as a Top 40 under 40 business leader.

Her illustrious career is highlighted by her remarkable ability to spearhead corporate social engagement initiatives, develop and execute impactful grant and revenue strategies that have secured over $10 million in funding and strategic partnerships.

A fervent advocate for children’s rights, Rosene has worked closely with local and state government officials to drive public policy changes that benefit communities at large. Her leadership was instrumental in the seamless transition of a 4,000-square foot facility into a state-of-the-art 15,000-square foot center for individuals with disabilities, amassing over $2,000,000 in community support. Moreover, her expertise and dedication were recognized at the state level with a gubernatorial appointment to Michigan’s Early Education and Investment Committee.
Rosene’s academic contributions as a faculty member at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University have been pivotal in shaping future leaders. Her work in developing curriculum and programs in child development, leadership, and inclusion has left a lasting impact on the educational landscape. Additionally, her role as a program consultant with esteemed institutions such as the University of Michigan and Scholastic Inc. further underscores her versatile and impactful career.
As a published author and researcher in the child development field, Rosene’s insights and findings have contributed significantly to the body of knowledge in the sector. Her expertise and leadership have been recognized at the highest levels, with a notable appointment by Florida Governor Rick Scott to the Valencia College Board of Trustees, a testament to her influence and impact.
Rosene’s dedication to making a difference has been acknowledged by several prestigious platforms, including being named one of the “10 People that Make Orlando a Better Place” by the Orlando Sentinel, one of Orlando Family Magazine’s Super Women, and one of Orlando’s Women of the Year by Orange Appeal magazine and the African American Women’s History Month Project.
With a track record of leading national programs, multi-site organizations, and private non-profits across the United States, Rosene now embarks on a new journey as the Founder and CEO of Your Grant BFF. This consulting firm is Rosene’s latest venture in her mission to assist businesses and non-profit organizations in amplifying their outcomes for enhanced funding and community impact.
Rosene Johnson is not just a leader; she is a visionary whose work transcends the boundaries of business and touches the lives of many. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and profound impact, making her a true inspiration for leaders everywhere.

Linda Engram

Chief of Staff

Meet Linda – the systems expert with a passion for transforming chaos into clarity. With a career forged in the trenches of C-level executive support and over 15 years of operations management, she’s mastered the art of scaling businesses without the growing pains.
Linda’s superpower? Taking the complex world of business operations and making it surprisingly simple. She steps in as a Operations and Project Manager for growing businesses, bringing the perfect blend of strategic thinking and practical, roll-up-your-sleeves implementation that growing teams need.
Armed with a BS in Business Administration and a specialization in Project Management, Linda’s not your typical consultant. She’s the operations partner who actually gets things done, turning “someday” goals into “done” realities.
As a mom of three and avid traveler, Linda believes in creating systems that give you back your time. Whether she’s exploring new countries or transforming business operations, she brings that same spirit of adventure and precision to everything she does. Because if there’s one thing she believes, it’s that good systems create more time for what matters – in business and in life.
Fun fact: She once created a project management system for planning her family beach vacation that worked so well, three other families asked to use it. Yes, she really does bring operations strategy to everything she does
 

Loren Fowler

Director of Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement

Loren Fowler is a dedicated education and nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience in program development, community engagement, and youth advocacy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law Humanities from Michigan State University and earned her MBA with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership from New England College.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Loren began her service journey with AmeriCorps in Jacksonville, Florida, where she developed a strong passion for grassroots community involvement and civic engagement.
Throughout her career, Loren has focused on building strategic community partnerships, leading collaborative initiatives, recruiting and mentoring youth, and designing impactful educational curricula for high school students. Her work is deeply rooted in expanding access and opportunity for underserved populations, particularly those navigating pathways to higher education.
An alumna of both the ATHENA Leadership Program and the Women on the Rise Organization, Loren is a passionate advocate for empowering women and emerging leaders within her community. She currently serves on the committee for the Cloud Family Foundation and is a board member of the Early Risers Foundation—two organizations committed to providing educational resources and support to youth and families.
Loren is also a proud participant in the City of Orlando’s 25th Mayor’s Academy, a civic leadership program aimed at empowering residents to take active roles in shaping their communities.
With a deep commitment to equity, leadership, and service, Loren Fowler continues to be a strong advocate for transformative change through education and nonprofit work.
 

Brandon U. Johnson

Director of Policy & Advocacy

Brandon U. Johnson, a native of Gainesville, Florida, began his journey of service and advocacy during his upbringing. He pursued his academic passions at Florida A&M University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations in 2018. With a fervent desire to effect change, Brandon embarked on a career in Government Affairs, focusing on advancing the interests of the Nonprofit Sector across various levels of governance. His advocacy spans from local municipalities to Capitol Hill, amplifying the voices of communities across Florida.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Brandon is deeply committed to community engagement and leadership. As a member of the Winter Park (FL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Brandon continues to champion the values of service, leadership, and achievement. His commitment to integrating values of compassion and justice into every aspect of his life underscores his holistic approach to leadership. Through his unwavering dedication and multifaceted contributions, Brandon U. Johnson inspires others to join him in shaping a more equitable and compassionate community.
Above all else, Brandon remains steadfast in his calling to ministry and to preaching the Gospel. He is a licensed Minister in the Church of God in Christ and serves faithfully at the Christian Worship Center COGIC in Leesburg, Florida. With over a decade of experience in preaching, Brandon is committed to merging the worlds of social action and ministry—ensuring that advocacy is rooted in faith, and that his ministry reflects the heart of service.

Delroy Waugh II

Director of Community Leadership Development

Delroy Waugh II helps people and teams get to the next level—with intention, heart, and a little bit of rhythm. As the founder of Ramp Up, he focuses on making leadership, culture, and talent development more human and less corporate. His work spans everything from designing community leadership programs to coaching teams through tough transitions. With roots in recruiting and a passion for building spaces where people can show up fully, Delroy brings his signature “people first, results second” approach to the Enterprising Black Orlando team—because growth should feel as good as it looks.
Beyond Ramp Up, Delroy leads Stompin’ Grounds, a fast-growing volleyball nonprofit dedicated to community, wellness, and play, and serves on the Board of Directors for Waste Knot Orlando, a sustainability-focused organization working to reduce food waste and strengthen local food systems. He holds an MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and a B.A. in Organizational Leadership, combining business strategy with behavioral insight to help people and organizations thrive.

Jon Frazier

President & CEO

Meet Jon Frazier, a results-driven CRM consultant with a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in customer service, marketing, and sales. A proud alumnus of Florida A&M University (FAMU), Jon combines his academic knowledge with a passion for fostering meaningful connections in his community. Jon’s foundation is built on core values of love, respect, and growth, which he brings into every professional relationship. Hailing from Orlando, Florida, he is deeply committed to the success of local small businesses. By leveraging his extensive background, Jon offers strategic guidance and tailored support, empowering these businesses to flourish in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Candice Simmons

President & CEO

Candice Simmons is a visionary leader, strategist, and community builder with a distinguished 25-year career in the banking industry. As Co-Founder of Lead Well Solutions, Candice equips leaders and teams through a three-tiered framework for self, team, and organizational leadership helping organizations align people, purpose, and performance for lasting impact. She’s also the Founder of Enterprising Black Orlando, a bold initiative mobilizing capital, capacity, and community to advance Black economic empowerment.
Before stepping fully into entrepreneurship and social innovation, Candice built a distinguished two-decade career in the financial industry, most recently serving as Vice President and Senior Business Execution Consultant at Wells Fargo Bank. During her tenure, she held key leadership roles across multiple areas of the bank including Retail Banking, Learning and Development, Community Development, and Corporate Social Responsibility. She led complex projects and cross-functional teams, managed regulatory compliance (including CRA), and developed initiatives that directly supported underserved communities. She has also served on numerous boards and advisory groups including BBIF Capital, Hope Partnerships, and Orange County’s Housing for All Task Force, contributing to initiatives that advance housing equity, inclusive economic growth, and community investment. Her work in impact investing, philanthropy and community development laid the foundation for many of the equity-focused strategies she champions today. Her professional career has been marked by a consistent throughline aligning business success with social good.
In addition, Candice’s passion for uplifting women and walking with them through real-life transitions inspired her to launch the podcast, Girl Listen with Candice Simmons, a heart-centered space for faith-filled conversations on purpose, perseverance, and personal growth. Through storytelling, study guides, and community engagement, Girl Listen empowers women to embrace every season of their lives, especially the ones that feel uncertain or undone.
A proud Pensacola native, Candice is most grounded by faith, family, and purpose. When she’s not building systems for equity or empowering others, she’s spending quality time with her husband and two children, creating memories that matter.