Tri-C Celebrates Seventh Graduating Class From Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will honor 32 Greater Cleveland small-business owners graduating from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Advanced Technology Training Center, 3409 Woodland Ave. in Cleveland.

10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million initiative to unlock the growth and job creation potential of small businesses across the United States by providing greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. 

The newest class is the seventh to complete the program since it debuted at Tri-C in May 2012. Participants must demonstrate a commitment to growing their business and creating jobs within their community.

“Our economy hinges on the success of small business owners like these graduates,” said Alex Johnson, president of Tri-C. “Lessons learned through the 10,000 Small Businesses program can help create a better tomorrow in Northeast Ohio.”

Graduating business owners represent a variety of regional industries and businesses. Each graduate spent 12 weeks at Tri-C studying a business and management curriculum designed by Babson College, a top-ranked school for entrepreneurial education.

The curriculum is customized by Tri-C faculty and covers topics such as accounting, human resources, negotiation and marketing. The program also includes one-on-one business advising, accounting workshops and advice from Goldman Sachs professionals.

A graduate nominated by his peers — Manohar Daga, president of Dingus and Daga, Inc., an accounting firm in Shaker Heights — will share his story during Saturday’s ceremony.

The keynote address will be delivered by Allen Lucarelli, Tri-C’s founding lead faculty member of 10,000 Small Businesses who will be retiring at the end of the year. A message also will be shared by Terrance McGowan, vice president of the Goldman Sachs Investment Division in Washington, D.C.  

10,000 Small Businesses launched in Cleveland nearly three years ago with $15 million committed for small business loans, business education and grants for supporting community partners. The program runs through 2018.

For information about the program, go to www.tri-c.edu/10ksb or call 216-987-3220. Applications are being accepted for the next session beginning in May and are due by Feb. 17. Future applicants should attend A Glimpse Inside 10,000 Small Businesses from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Corporate College West, 25425 Center Ridge Road in Westlake.

December 11, 2014

Diana White, 216-987-4704 diana.white@tri-c.edu