By Al King

Marie Johns congratulates graduate Jewrena Sims. (Photo by Robert A. Bell)

On March 15th at the Milwaukee Jobs Corp Center located at 6665 N 60th St. nine students sat nervously as they waited to receive their certification for completion of “The Start Young Milwaukee Initiative Program” sponsored by the SBA resource partner.

The graduation, presented by the Milwaukee Job Corps Center and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), featured students ranging in age from 18 to 25. Through the seven week course, students were given the opportunity to work with SBA’s resource partner experts and develop their own business plans.

Marie C. Johns, Deputy Administrator of the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) highlighted the ceremony by speaking to the graduates and handing out their certifications.

Since Johns’ appointment to the position by President Obama, there has been a record level of funds awarded to not only stimulate the economy and community, but also to fulfill DREAMS!! Johns believes that in these economic times “Empowering” our youth, who are the future will help establish a more stable economy for the country.

The SBA and the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) recognize the important contributions that young people make to our economic growth and are committed to providing them with tools and knowledge needed to one day start their own business. This is why SBA and ETA partnered to launch the Start Young Initiative. Through the program, SBA’s resource partner network, including Women’s Business Centers, SCORE chapters and Small Business Development Centers, partner with local Job Corps sites to provide entrepreneurship curriculum and specialized training to groups of Job Corps youth in 13 cities across the country.

The SBA has loans available for small start-ups up to $50,000., but for those having a bigger vision than merely seeking a job. There is a whole network that guides you step by step: from business plan to recommendation of banks.

Marie Johns takes a group shot with the graduates and some staff following the ceremony. (Bell photo)

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Popular Interests In This Article: Jewrena Sims, Marie Johns, Robert Bell Photography, Start Young, Start Young Milwaukee Initiative