CALS Rock It! lab graduates new class of entrepreneurs, gets $75,000 Walmart grant
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Rock It! Lab had several accomplishments to celebrate during its event honoring the program’s latest graduates.
The Rock It! Lab is a partnership between the Central Arkansas Library System and Advancing Black Entrepreneurship that provides resources for entrepreneurs. On May 30, the organizations came together to celebrate the graduation of 18 entrepreneurs.
During the event, Whitney Easterling, owner of The Guideline by WhitneyE, received a $5,000 prize after pitching her business idea to a panel of judges.
“Don’t give up on yourself; hold on… I love my classmates, you’re beautiful, you’re amazing, keep going,” Easterling said during her acceptance speech.
The program’s youngest graduate, 16-year-old Morgan Perry, also received a $700 prize. Perry is the owner of clothing line Me.Marie Style.
The Rock It! Lab program was awarded a $75,000 grant from Walmart.org.
Monique Carswell, Director of the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, gave the graduates words of advice as they continue their entrepreneurial journey.
“The great thing about being part of a cohort is that you are not alone,” Carswell said. “You have people with you on your journey. Don’t let others place limitations on who you can be.”
To learn more about Rock It! Lab and its mission, visit CALS.org.
