We are excited to welcome 80 AAPI, Black, female, and Latinx entrepreneurs from across the United States. These entrepreneurs are joining a community of passionate and innovative individuals who are breaking down barriers and creating solutions to today’s business problems.

Entrepreneurship has always been a challenging and rewarding journey, but it can be even more difficult for members of underrepresented communities. That’s why Bunker Labs, created Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship program to provide resources, mentorship, and community to minority veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.

Join us as we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship, and welcome the first cohort for 2024! We present the newest members of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship program cohort 24A.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Entrepreneurs

• Alvin Velasco, CocoNifty® 
• Anthony Brown, Natures Healer Self Reflection Center Temple of Indigenous Science 
• Greg Stroud, Greg Stroud Liberated 
• James Martin Schlauch, Apply, Co. 
• Maria Madsen, Infinite Possibilities Coaching 
• Mudassar Sayeed, Gleam Solar Cleaning 
• Sandra Nam, QiqoChat Inc. 
• Waiann Mai, Warhorse Education Company

Black Entrepreneurs

• Alonzo Wright, Gardens Harvest Media Company 
• Brian Gibbs, The Web We Weave 
• Carla Antoine, Garden Harvest Chicken Soup 
• Carlton Johnson, Spectrix Metaphysical Institute, Ltd. Co. 
• Chandler Thomas, EV Mobile Connect 
• Charles Henry, Henry & Co. 
• Clarice Nelson, Proclaren Solutions 
• Desmond Kirton, Dēz Kids Construction Education Program 
• Dondre Lawson, Emerald Technical Solutions 
• Dorothea Johnson, DRJ Concepts, LLC 
• Dwight Lamont Brake, Aidan 
• Edward Whittle, PlayByHeart, LLC 
• Elizabeth Reid, Tiny Human Skincare 
• Kenisha Ortiz, Career Peak, LLC 
• Leslie Elston, Maraq Gourmet Soup Shop LLC 
• Linda Williams, Groove and Move 
• Luvina Sabree, Bomb Azz Lemonade 
• Maurice Sloan, LIV Strategic Consulting 
• Melanie Harleaux, Unconscious Beaute Studio, LLC 
• Melissa Rowe, Nerdabee 
• Michael  Smith, MLS Consulting Services, LLC 
• Mildred Diggs, Journiy 
• Robert Woods, Banneret 
• Scottie Cuff, S.Cuff Hybrid Swimwear 
• Shavonne Simmons, PR1ME Candidate LLC 
• Sididq Sweet, S.W. Sweet & Associates, LLC 
• Simone Gully, ALSIGE Foundatio Inc 
• Steve Dixie, Gateway Integrated Solutions, LLC 
• Sydney Matthes, Apprentice 
• Sundania J. W. Wonnum, Center 4 Balance (C4B) 
• Tamia Parker, Play Problems Inc. 

Female Entrepreneurs

• April Pacca, Lenddit 
• Arnalda Magloire, Revitalized Palate 
• Beth Benike, Busy Baby 
• Christina Hudson, Functional Fitness LLC 
• Donna Bibbs, Certified Belief Therapy 
• Gabrielle Pickens, Pickens Creative 
• Kayla Bryant, Ground Breaking Changes, LLC 
• Keena AlexanderLagard, Kingdom Health Now 
• Kelly Thompson, Ethos Administrative Group 
• Kim Howell, HealthBezzie 
• Krystalore Crews, The Crews Coach 
• Lakecia Whimper, WHB Management Co 
• Laura W. Bingham, Laura Bingham Creative, LLC 
• Lisa Benson, DeBella DeBall Designs 
• Lisa Marie Zoellick, 1 OAK Fiber Art 
• Lola Robinson, Lola & Shaye 
• Mamie Pack, Mamie L. Pack Media 
• Melanie McCoy, Koenig Williams Consulting LLC 
• Natasha Mueller, R&R Farms, 1904 
• Natasha Weems, Care First Wellness Med Apa 
• Nicole Zettlemoyer, Wreaths By Nicole P 
• Olivia Telles, Freedom Property Solutions LLC 
• Paden Sickles 
• Rachael A Koehler, Radiant Stardust 
• Rejane Tisby, Dare to Care Home Care 
• Rosalyn Smith, Treasures of Rose Coaching & Consulting 
• Samantha Leigh Sargent, Connecting Communities 
• Samantha R Kennedy, Pups and Pints Las Vegas 
• Tamara Charles, Keystone Concessions and Novelties 

Hispanic & Latinx Entrepreneurs

• Carolina Hernandez, Veteran Couture 
• Cesar Mayorga, Bluberry Technologies Inc. 
• James Lucas, Smart Farm Tools 
• Jeffrey David Camacho, TexInterlink Contracting, LLC 
• Jose Zaragoza, Code 1 Maintenance 
• Katherine Ramirez, Golfing Buddy 
• Kimberly Grieser, Fix and Flip Construction Inc 
• Leah Stiles, SEA WAVES 
• Luis E Morales, Victory Property Management 
• Ricardo (Rick) Cruz, Consolimate Inc. 
• Rosa Ramirez, Honey Baked Ham 
• Will Sokolowski, South Fulton Recording Studio 

Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship Program

Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship is an 8-week virtual program that facilitates business growth and support within AAPI, Black, Latinx, and female veteran and military spouse communities. The program is designed to create an immediate impact for early to growth-stage businesses by providing access to business tools, resources, capital opportunities, mentorship, and a stronger peer network. Learn more about the program or fill out an interest form for future application windows here. A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this program cohort possible: PwC Charitable Foundation, General Motors, Macy’s, Wells Fargo, and Empower by GoDaddy.

Bunker Labs is Now Part of IVMF

As of January 2024, Bunker Labs is now a part of Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). In addition to ongoing Bunker Labs programming, we’d encourage you to browse IVMF’s deep wealth of entrepreneurship programming, much of it available virtually or at locations across the country. Find the program to help your business take the next step today!