2022-2023 Impact & Annual Report
Part 1: Maroon Inc.’s Mission Part 2: Message from our Leaders
Report Highlights
Part 3: Programs HBCU Corporate Partnerships BLK MKT Small Business Cohort Sponsors/Funders Fund Raising Goals Education Support Fund Raising Goals Partners
Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
Our Mission Maroon is an ally for communities, advocates, experts and organizations who fight for equity. We ensure that equity remains a matter of ongoing concern – not just a trend or buzz word. We take on issues that are central to the lives of our most vulnerable communities through public policy, research and accountability. Most of us know Maroon as a beautiful rich color...but it is also the name associated with people of African descent who are known to live in all parts of the world including Jamaica. In Jamacia, the Maroon people fought for their freedom and “built their own communities”. That is our mission - to guide people of color as they improve their communities, scale their businesses, and build generational wealth through training, resources, and development. Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
Founder & Founding CEO As Founder and CEO of Maroon, Inc., Jade and Jawan are poised to continue pouring into the New Orleans Metropolitan community and beyond. Their goal is to continue to develop leaders in the fields of education, business, and governmental affairs. With more than 50 collective years in education, law, leadership development, consulting, strategic planning, and equity work between the two New Orleans born leaders, their national and global reach has allowed them to bring researched based best practices to their hometown. With the launch of Maroon in 2021 and the grand opening of Maroon Workspace in 2022, these women on continuing their mission driven objective, which is to make certain they continue to carve out space for underrepresented groups including African American business owners, educators , and leaders - and more specifically making certain that women of color have a place at the table as well! Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
Our Work As the CEO of Maroon Inc., I am immensely honored to welcome you to an organization whose mission transcends beyond mere business objectives. At Maroon, we embody the spirit of power through alliance and kinship. Our name is more than a color; it's a symbol of perseverance and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve--to be steadfast allies in the fight for equity, ensuring it remains a focal point for small businesses and BIPOC leaders.
Dr. Jawan Brown Alexander CEO of Maroon
My experience in nonprofit leadership and education for over 25 years and the combined power of the amazing Maroon staff serve to lead Maroon's educational outreach. We have formed partnerships that empower and build lasting stability in budding entrepreneurial enterprises while driving sustainable change for black businesses across New Orleans, all over Louisiana, nationally, and globally. We understand that achieving equity requires a variety of strategies, including community partnerships, research depth, accountability in practice, and proactive policy guiding us toward equity. This critical understanding allows us to help businesses enrich their communities and lay the groundwork for future local prosperity. Our commitment goes beyond words - it is reinforced by leadership training programs, educational support and mentorship, and targeted growth efforts. Welcome to Maroon!
Board of Directors Jade Brown-Russell (Board Chair) Kendra L. Alexis (Secretary) Bishop Tyrone Jefferson (Board Member) Dr. Alex Johnson (Board Member) John A. Brown, Sr. (Board Member)
Our Executive Team
Our Support Team
Brooklin Warner Junior Exec. Assistantt
Folami Jenkins Events Advisor/Coordinaotr
Honree Alexander Director of Operations
Mandi Cambre Development Advisor
Adrienne Blanco Financial Advisor, CPA
Our Interns - Fall 2023
Zalikha Holloman Philadelphia, PA Major: Mathematics
Jada Blocker Frisco, TX Major: Biology Pre-Med
Kennedy Shanks Chicago, IL Major: Mass Communications
Starting in 2022, Maroon has curated an internship program. For the 2023 fall semester, Maroon’s internship program has been designed for undergraduate students in the New Orleans area. The program allows the development and enhancement of a variety of skills, such as community engagement, communication, adaptability, and collaboration, to name a few. All majors are welcome since we provide knowledge that can apply to any field of study. We strive to prepare our interns as they take the next steps in their careers.
Small Business & Education Support
HBCU SUMMER CORPORATE BUSINESS INTERNSHIP TRANING PARTNERSHIP
In addition to our cohorts, Maroon has designed and hosted a vendor Marketplace in partnership with Caesars’ Harrah’s Casino during the 4th of July weekend.. The 2023 event took place along Fulton Street in downtown New Orleans and spread into Manning’s restaurant, encompassing both floors and the courtyard of the building in order to host 30 New Orleans entrepreneur vendor booths; panel discussions on financial mobility, real estate, education, and small business panel discussions; musical performances; Mardi Gras Indians; and more.
Our BLK MKT
Maroon has partnered with Ashe Cultural Arts Center and will draw from its deep connections and work with the entrepreneurial and small business community to ensure this event is a success for New Orleans’ cultural performers and vendors, as well as our residents and guests to the city. The BLK MKT is about showcasing important national and local community conversations, showcasing our culture bearers, and showcasing our small businesses!
The Maroon small and micro business development training program was designed with each prospective participant in mind and aims to prepare and equip them with the tools that they will need in operating a business to address complex issues while also developing sound business strategies. The modules offered through this training program will include courses that will be facilitated by professional business education and industry experts and will introduce participants to areas including topics such as Financial Health & Organization, Becoming Bankable, Lendability, Operations & Organizational Management, Insurance, Marketing, Certifications, and more.
Small Business Cohort Focus
The Maroon curriculum provides the opportunity to learn the small business landscape and ecosystem while equipping participants with the necessary tools to meet the business challenges faced today with a sense of confidence and discipline. In addition to the training curriculum, Maroon will offer participants and guests access to the organization’s Expert Panel Leadership Series; which includes prominent business leaders and executives and feature-proven entrepreneurs. The Maroon small and micro business development-training program will be offered to no less than twenty (20) participants within the cohort.
Our Impact & Fundraising Goals Small Business
Maroon works with small businesses with budgets ranging from $250,000 - $5,000,000 as part of an 8week, 25-person cohort. As part of the program, clients complete a robust readiness assessment both during and after the 8-week program that allows our team to pinpoint strengths and opportunities. In 2022, Maroon launched its first Small Business Cohort in connection collaboration with JDR Consulting and the firms partnership with Essence Festival. During 4th of July weekend. JDR and Maroon hosted the first small business cohort pilot outside of the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Funded partially through Essence and LED, the organizations worked with EverythingAdmin and The Jae Impact to build out the infostructure for what would be a marketplace and small business support hub. Over the three day event, small business vendors got an opportunity to engage with thousands of visitors and guests. This pilot was the impetus for the Maroon Small and Micro Business Cohort Support Program.
Small Business Support Cohort 1 Pilot
“I had a lot of my future business ideas in my head, but Maroon pushed me to develop a plan and put it down on paper.” ~Summer Swafford Summer Said
“I am always doing something for other micro businesses... this cohort was an opportunity for me to learn how to invest in my own business.” ~Latasha Hales Paradigm Shift
“The Maroon Cohort experience helped me to really step into my ability as a small business owner.” ~Karen Morgan KISS Kreations
SMALL BUSINESS COHORT 2
SMALL BUSINESS COHORT 3
2024 SMALL BUSINESS COHORT 4 COMING SOON!
OUR SMALL BUSINESS COHORTS 2022-23
3
SMALL BUSINESS COHORTS
65
SMALL BUISNESS OWNERS SUPPORTED - Cohorts 1, 2, & 3
A quartet of cohorts have benefited from an array of 8 targeted Learning Modules, with access to our ondemand coaching and strategic Executive Coaching over six transformative months.
Applauding the entrepreneurial spirit of 65 business owners from Cohorts 2 and 3, who have completed our program and are now equipped to scale new heights in business and community development. (Almost 100 small businesses supported when including Black Market vendors and HBCU Corporate Internship Support)
$240K
MAROON 22-23 SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT Our strategic investment of $240,000 during 20222023 exemplifies our dedication to steering the success of small businesses, the linchpins of community and economic resilience.
Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
$240K INVESTMENT IMPACTING “65” BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESS COHORT EMBEDDED COACHING SMALL BUSINESS & CORPORATE NETWORKING POST PROGRAM EXECUTIVE COAHCING SMALL BUSINESS ASSESSMENTS & SURVEYS
FULL ACCESS TO SMALL BUSINESS EXPERTS PANEL DISCUSSIONS LEGAL SUPPORT COHORT RETREAT PITCH COMPETITION & INVESTMENT PRIZES ACCESS TO MAROON MEETING SPACE
Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
CULMINATING SOCIAL & NETWORKING EVENT
100% ENGAGEMENT Key statistics - 50% of businesses in the startup phase, 50% in growth; 66.6% learned of the program through referrals, 33.3% via social media. Key findings - Participants showed a high satisfaction rate, with the majority rating the program content and the Maroon team at 9 out of 10 for effectiveness and helpfulness. Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
Small Business Cohort Trends In Cohort 3 alone, we've observed a notable upward trajectory in key performance metrics during the program and as the program ended. The graph reflects the variable significant boost in the confidence levels of business owners to apply new knowledge and skills—33% feel extremely confident, and 42% feel very confident.
92%
52%
92% of small business owners implemented changes in their business based on the program's teachings, indicating a high rate of practical application and impact.
An average profit margin increase of 52% was reported by businesses after completing Maroon’s small business program, showcasing the financial growth facilitated by the program.
Confidence Level
Business Bank Accounts Established
Profit Margin Improvement
Customer Base Expansion
Additionally, 92% have implemented changes based on the program. 50% have adopted a new bookkeeping method with a 52% average increase in profit margins, and a 17% expansion in customer bases. These trends are a testament to our program's effectiveness in providing actionable insights and tangible benefits to small businesses. Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
Bookkeeping Methods Established 0
10
20
30
40
50
5
Small Business Support "GOALS" Summary 2022- 2023
Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
125
$500K
SMALL BUSINESS COHORTS
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SUPPORTED Cohorts 4-8
MAROON 22-23 SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT
C O U N C I L M E M B E R
Senator Regina Barrow
Senator Royce Duplessis
Helena Moreno
C O U N C I L M E M B E R
Freddie King
Our Small Business & BLK MKT Partners/Sponsors
FUNDRAISING GOAL 2024: $500K INVESTMENT IMPACTING “125” BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESS COHORT EMBEDED COACHING SMALL BUSINESS & CORPORATE NETWORKING POST PROGRAM EXECUTIVE COACHING SMALL BUSINESS ASSESSMENTS & ADDITIONAL SURVEYS FULL ACCESS TO SMALL BUSINESS EXPERTS ADDITIONAL PANEL DISCUSSIONS LEGAL SUPPORT 2 DAY COHORT RETREAT PITCH COMPETITION & LARGER INVESTMENT PRIZES ACCESS TO MAROON OFFICE SPACE, MEETING, AND PODCAST SPACES FACILITIES
Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
INCLUSIVE CULMINATING SOCIAL & NETWORKING EVENT
Our Education Impact & Fundraising Goals
Maroon, Inc. Educator Cohort will help New Orleans’ education leaders, specifically BIPOC women, create and execute strategies for equitable outcomes through training school leaders to use data and examine practices and policies to reorient schools towards DEI. Maroon’s work with school leaders and teachers helps to ensure that schools are building educator capacity, while enhancing a citywide academic, student-facing equity framework that includes high-quality state approved supports and social emotional/trauma supports for classroom teachers. In doing so, Maroon gives educational leaders who support underserved and underrepresented communities the tools they need to step into their power and create transformative change within their schools.
Our Education Support Focus
With the proper funding, Maroon plans to launch an Ed Leadership Collaborative between 2024 and 2025. This leadership collaborative will allow school leaders to learn from experts in the areas of: Data Disaggregation, Learning Walks, Leadership Best Practices, Classroom Researched Based Best Practices, Equitable Supports, and Strategic Planning.
Working with some of our Educational Partners...
Thank You To Our 2023 Education Partners! Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
Direct Local Impact
Education Support Local and National Summary 2022- 2023 Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
1000
25+
13K
Faculty and Staff Impacted
Leaders Impacted
Students Impacted
National Partner Touchpoints
400+
2M+
National Partner School District Touchpoints
National Partner Student Touchpoints
GOAL 2024: $350K INVESTMENT IMPACTING 40 Local Schools/ Educational Organizations Maroon 2023 | Impact Report
TRAUMA INFORMED SUMMIT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING MODULES EDUCATOR PODCASTS EDUCATOR LEADER COHORT 2 DAY COHORT RETREAT EDUCATOR COACHING SUPPORT PANEL DISCUSSIONS INCLUSIVE CULMINATING SOCIAL & NETWORKING EVENT
Contact
Phone: 1-877-504-1206 www.themaroon.org | www.maroonworkspace.com Maroon, Inc. and Maroonworkspace 1206-1208 St. Charles Ave. | New Orleans, LA 70130