CEL graduates 37 emerging entrepreneurs

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Thirty-seven entrepreneurs are now equipped to elevate their businesses after completing the M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs program, presented by the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL). 

The certificates of completion were presented at a graduation ceremony for two CEL programs on June 11 at the UB Center for the Arts on the university’s North Campus.

Sponsored by M&T Bank, the Emerging Entrepreneurs program helps socially or economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs take their companies to the next stage of development with business development seminars twice a month, networking events and one-on-one mentoring. 

The graduates completed a peer-based, mentor-driven program to help grow, refocus or better manage their businesses. During the intense, 10-month course, the entrepreneurs performed an in-depth analysis of their businesses, while developing expertise in such key areas as strategic planning, financial management, employee relations and marketing. 

The 2026 graduates and their companies are:

• Kiesha Adamczyk-Bennett, Christ in Merch
• Joseph Bianco III, Philomath Cleaning Solutions LLC
• Robert Blue, Blue Image Photos
• Nicole Brown, Ten Minute Touch LLC
• Rolando Cercone, Master Builders Buffalo
• Rebekah Chriss, AuraAthletic Fit
• LaKishia Collins, LMCPhoto LLC
• Roslyn Collins, Community Healing All Together Inc.
• La Shawn Davis, Walking Through Solutions LLC
• Antonella DiGiulio, Musica IQ
• Sara Emhof, LEAP Year
• Phyllis Gunning, Phyllis Gunning LLC
  
• Teawna Hemphill, Teawna Hemphill, Nurse Practitioner in Family Health PLLC
• Tricia Ilogu, Knowble Planning & Logistics
• Indea King, Contoured Health and Beauty
• Liza Lennarz, Spoonless Inc.
• Brittany Manchester, Hope and Healing Wellness Services PLLC
• Bonnie Martin, Code and Craftworks LLC
• Shaun Maxwell, Max Relocation Partners
• Daykeyla McGee, Keyla McGee LLC
• Antonius Melton, Project CKC
• Keesha Miller, WNY Mobile DNA Solutions LLC
• James Mosely, KC Custom Contracting Inc.
• Lexiana Odom, Diamonds in the Buff
• Syreeta O’Neil, SweetX2 LLC
• Antonéo Page, Freight God Inc.
• Tia Palermo, Policy Research Solutions
• Kelly Picone, Ceallaigh Leadership Consulting
• Andrea Pierce, HCOC Mental Health Corp.
• Halle Sauer, Dr. Halle Sauer PT, DPT, MPH
• Kelly Smith, Vollie Inc.
• Adria Swain, Release & Refocus Inc.
• Catherine Waterman-Kulpa, On the Side Design LLC
• Jazmin Wiggins, Baby SOS Co. LLC
• Shala Wright, Shala Wright – Realtor
• Tariq Young, Lavie Factory

Each participant had access to a mentor from the local business community to help develop realistic business goals and create timetables and strategies for achieving them. Mentors met regularly with participants, providing advice in strategic and tactical thinking, marketing, long-range financial planning and more. The class also met in person twice a month for workshops and to develop their business model canvases and business plans.

The CEL is accepting applications for the next Emerging Entrepreneurs program. To learn more about the curriculum or apply, contact the CEL office at 716-885-5715 or mgt-cel@buffalo.edu.  

Established in 1987, the CEL provides participants with individualized and interactive education in entrepreneurship. More than 1,700 CEL alumni employ more than 23,000 Western New Yorkers, and their businesses are worth more than $2.3 billion to the local economy. For more information, visit management.buffalo.edu/cel.