Charlotte’s AMP Up Program Celebrates 10th Graduating Cohort

Published on July 31, 2025

Charlotte’s Economic Development Department recently celebrated a major milestone: the graduation of the 10th cohort from its AMP Up Charlotte business accelerator program.

Since AMP Up launched in 2018, 141 small business owners have completed the program.

“Reaching our 10th graduating class is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit in Charlotte and the city’s commitment to lifting up small businesses as a vital part of our economy,” said Shahid “Sha” Rana, director of economic development. “With this milestone, we celebrate all the entrepreneurs who have completed the program and are driving growth throughout our city.”

The newest graduating class includes 14 business owners who completed Interise’s internationally recognized StreetWise “MBA” curriculum, designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses through strategic planning, access to capital, and procurement opportunities.

Cohort 10 graduates are:

·       Alexander Arguello, Argüello Family Investments

·       Travis Bradford, Brown Box Recycled & Courier Services

·       Carlos Calzadilla, SunSouth Carolinas

·       Lance Carter, Phoenix Management Group LLC, who also provided the keynote

·       Yessenia (Yessi) Cordero, Universal Solutions Contracting LLC

·       Sharon Easterling, Upskillz, LLC

·       Coretta Livingston, QC Infobroker LLC

·       Ebone’ Lockett, Harvesting Humanity LLC

·       Monique McGrant, McGrant Tax & Bookkeeping

·       Dr. Kareem Puranda, Self-Talk Counseling & Consulting

·       Reyna Rodezno, Commercial Cleaning Masters

·       Tehetina (Tina) Tedla, Enat Ethiopian Restaurant

·       Darius Walker, Walkers Next Generation Transportation & Logistics

·       Firehiwot (Nunu) Zebane, La Costenita Inc.

Graduates were honored at a ceremony at Skyline Terrace on July 15. Among those attending were the families of graduates and program alumni.

Recent AMP Up Charlotte graduates have experienced 24% average revenue growth, with 91% reporting profitability — well above the national small business average. In addition, 77% of businesses are following a strategic growth action plan, and 94% would recommend the Interise curriculum to fellow business owners.

The curriculum includes business development, mentoring, targeted training and access to large corporations for relationship-building and procurement opportunities. 

The City of Charlotte will start recruitment for AMP Up Cohort 11 in the coming months. For more information, visit the AMP Up website. For questions, contact Anika Ellis (anika.ellis@charlottenc.gov).