Russell Innovation Center For Entrepreneurs Partners With Disney Institute For 3-Day Supply Chain Accelerator Program

Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) made its mark at Walt Disney World Resort.

Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) made its mark at Walt Disney World resort in December. Over 80 Black entrepreneurs and RICE stakeholders out of Atlanta descended onto Disney’s Yacht Club Convention Center for a 3-day intensive programming session that included pitch practicing and presentations, networking and Disney immersion, and a panel of small business experts and speakers in the supply chain industry.

RICE’s program participants—referred to as “stakeholders in order to build a sense of ownership, covenant and belonging,” according to the organization’s website—were front and center, sharing their personal journeys navigating entrepreneurship, collecting nuggets on scaling their businesses, and securing corporate contracts.

These experiences were the result of panels on social media best practices, Disney Institute quality service sessions, and a Disney small business vendor panel with Michael D Young, president and CEO of ACY Constructors, and Dr. Lisa Williams, founder and CEO of World of Epi, as well as through inspiring closing executive remarks.

From stakeholders to speakers, executives, and program leaders, each participant expressed the varying rhyme and reason for attending.

Dr. Lisa Williams | Courtesy of RICE — Dr. Lisa Williams and Michael D Young (Photo courtesy of RICE)

Ralph Sagaille, executive director of Supplier Diversity & Strategic Sourcing for the Walt Disney Company, spoke about the company’s intentional involvement with helping small business grow by giving them that extra push of encouragement and inspiration.

Williams, who is the creator of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever collectible dolls and speaker on the small business vendor panel, shed light on the benefit of preparedness.

“I didn’t know but we have been preparing for decades to work with Disney,” Williams told BE. “What I was really doing was just making the best product, the best dolls I could, that empowered our children and adults, but when the Wakanda opportunity came forward, we were ready.”

Williams continued: “We got that knock from Disney…they were asking if we had distribution, international distribution, software, certification, insurance.”

The answer to each ask was “yes,” Williams shared. Her company was so prepared, the next best step was to take the opportunity and begin to collaborate and “create this magical doll.”

Williams’ message resonated with stakeholders because hers was a great feat for a small business. The same was possible for every stakeholder in attendance.

“I’m here on this Disney Institute trip because I am a part of the RICE accelerated program,” Charmaine Gibbs-West, founder and CEO of Essence Tree, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“It has been life changing. It has been so impactful for my business. I have a goal to impact women at a deeper level of their healing and wellness journey. Learning from Disney that at every single touch point you can bless and give and sprinkle magic on everybody and touch all of your clients—I cannot wait to implement a lot of the things I learned.”

“It’s critical for us to create an environment where, if you literally just got an idea, this morning and you want to turn into business, we have a place for you as well as a business owner that may have been in business for 10 years,” Paul Wilson told BE about the work RICE does and in its partnership with Disney.

Wilson, vice president of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at RICE, continued.

“Maybe [a company] already has $10 million…and they’re past the program stage and they don’t have a place to go, either. Billion dollar corporations still hire consultants, right? And so even when you think about our businesses that hit a plateau—even at those large numbers— they’re still small compared to the overall economy. So we want to create a place that’s unique, but also individualized, at no matter what stage of business.”

Disney had several engaging experiences that pleased the senses including a Disney Institute tour of Epcot Center, a candlelight procession, a dessert reception at Terrace Des Fleurs, and a presentation of “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” fireworks. RICE’s Supply Chain Accelerator Program Partnership with Disney Institute struck the perfect balance of leisure and learning. The takeaways were priceless.

To learn more about the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, check out the history and mission at russellcenter.org.