2026 Programming Calendar
Summer 2026 Offering Registration
Reserve your spot in June and July programming at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs — learning labs, capital readiness, sector meetings, Tech Tuesdays, and Think Tank Thursdays built to move your business forward.
JUNE 2026
17 programs
| Date | Program | Description | Who Should Attend | Facilitator(s) | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mon, Jun 1 6:00–8:00 PM | Learning Lab: Transaction Law for Entrepreneurs | — | Stakeholders - All | Michelle Simpson | Register |
Tue, Jun 2 2:30–3:30 PM | Let's Talk Innovation — How Big Companies Scale: Nonprofit Scaling Services Globally (CARE) & The Power of Partnerships | Locally led, globally scaled service models, Lean Service Protocol structure, and CARE's MEL systems. Participants will design a Lean Service Protocol for their services and engage in group discussion and Q&A. | Stakeholders - All | Shakiri Murrain | Register |
Tue, Jun 2 6:00–8:00 PM | AI Data Series — Session 1: Read the Room: How to Thrive in the Age of Data Driven Business | Establish a shared foundation of data literacy. Help entrepreneurs understand what data actually is, why it matters to their business, and how to stop making decisions on gut alone. Make the concept feel accessible, not intimidating. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Markis Piper & Gloriana Zumbado | Register |
Wed, Jun 3 6:30–8:00 PM | Capital Ready Series — Criteria for Capital (Session 3) | Whether seeking a loan or partner, entrepreneurs must speak the language of money. This session helps participants strengthen their books and credit so they can present as a safe bet to lenders and investors. | Stakeholders - All | John Paschal | Register |
Thu, Jun 4 1:00–3:00 PM | Think Tank Thursday: Own Your Audience — From Subscribers to Sales Through Your Company Newsletter | This workshop teaches business owners how to build and use a company newsletter as a direct communication channel. Participants will learn how newsletters can drive consistent engagement and revenue beyond social media. | Stakeholders - All | Jessica Brown | Register |
Mon, Jun 8 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Small Business Preparation Week: Marketing & Branding | Part of Small Business Preparation Week at Symposium @ RICE. This session covers marketing and branding fundamentals for entrepreneurs and small business owners. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Natasha Hall, Brandpreneur | Register |
Tue, Jun 9 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Small Business Preparation Week: Pitch Prep & Capability Statements | Part of Small Business Preparation Week at Symposium @ RICE. This session covers pitch preparation and capability statement development for small businesses. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Village Microfund, Keya Grant | Register |
Tue, Jun 9 6:00–8:00 PM | Real Estate, Construction, & Manufacturing Sector: Commercial Leasing for Small Business | — | General Public | Jarvis Broughton, Travis D. Hughes | Register |
Tue, Jun 9 6:00–8:00 PM | AI Data Series — Session 2: Don't Build on Sand: A Modern Data Platform Strategy for Business Leaders | Help entrepreneurs understand that without the right foundation, how data is stored, organized, and made accessible, every business decision is built on shaky ground. Introduce the concept of a data platform in plain language: what it is, why it matters, and what a solid foundation looks like for a growing business. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Markis Piper & Rod Norris | Register |
Wed, Jun 10 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Small Business Preparation Week: Insurance, Bonding & Legal Fundamentals | Part of Small Business Preparation Week at Symposium @ RICE. This session covers business insurance, bonding, and small business legal fundamentals. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Urban League of Greater Atlanta, JJ Poole | Register |
Wed, Jun 10 6:30–8:00 PM | Capital Ready Series — Connecting to Capital (CDFIs) | This session helps entrepreneurs understand how to position themselves for capital. Participants will focus on strengthening financial readiness and credibility with lenders and investors. | Stakeholders - All | Tamiea Anderson | Register |
Thu, Jun 11 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Small Business Preparation Week: Certification Mastery | Part of Small Business Preparation Week at Symposium @ RICE. This session focuses on MBE/WBE certification mastery for small businesses. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | ACE Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs | Register |
Thu, Jun 11 2:00–3:00 PM | Think Tank Thursday: Know Your Business Scorecard — KPIs, Dashboards & Financial Ratios for Business Growth | A practical finance session to help entrepreneurs understand how their business makes money. Participants will review key metrics such as costs, margins, cash flow, and net profit to make stronger decisions. | General Public, Stakeholders - All | Mark Steward | Register |
Fri, Jun 12 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Small Business Preparation Week: Doing Business in Georgia & Business Planning | Part of Small Business Preparation Week at Symposium @ RICE. This session covers how to do business in Georgia and how to build a business plan. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | UGA Small Business Development Center | Register |
Tue, Jun 16 6:00–8:00 PM | AI Data Series — Session 3: The Proactive Professional: Owning Your Data and Managing Risks | Introduce data governance and risk management in plain language. Cover the real dangers of data misuse, privacy liabilities, vendor risk, and AI errors. Help entrepreneurs understand what it means to treat data responsibly, both legally and ethically, and build guardrails before something goes wrong. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Markis Piper & Rehanna Welcome | Register |
Mon, Jun 22 6:00–8:00 PM | AI Data Series — Session 4: Think Like a Builder: Product Ownership and AI for the Modern Entrepreneur | Shift entrepreneurs from a consumer to a creator mindset. Teach them what it means to own a product or process and how AI tools can be embedded into that ownership to drive smarter decisions, better customer experiences, and faster iteration. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Markis Piper & Monica Bowie | Register |
Tue, Jun 30 6:00–8:00 PM | AI Data Series — Session 5: Human First: How to Lead Your Business with AI Without Losing Control | Help entrepreneurs make the most important decision: where does AI fit in my business, and where does it not? Introduce the concept of human-in-the-loop versus human-on-the-loop, teach a practical decision-making framework for AI adoption, and send them home confident about what to embrace, what to watch, and how to stay in the driver's seat. | Stakeholders - All, General Public | Markis Piper & Abhiram Devini | Register |
JULY 2026
9 programs
| Date | Program | Description | Who Should Attend | Facilitator(s) | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thu, Jul 2 1:00–3:00 PM | Think Tank Thursday: Living a Mature & Disciplined Life — Part 1: Inner Mastery & Mental Alignment | This workshop helps participants develop spiritual maturity, disciplined habits, and purpose-driven execution through Kingdom-centered principles. Attendees will explore inner mastery, mental alignment, and practical tools for personal growth. | General Public, Stakeholders - ALL | Sharnita Gates | Register |
Thu, Jul 2 6:30–8:00 PM | Capital Ready Series — Connecting to Capital (Venture Capitalists/Investors) | Entrepreneurs will learn how to strengthen their financial readiness and communicate effectively with lenders and investors. The session focuses on improving books, credit, and overall investor appeal. | Stakeholders - ALL | Tamiea Anderson | Register |
Wed, Jul 8 6:00–8:00 PM | Real Estate, Construction, & Manufacturing Sector: Bring People, Culture, & High Performing Teams Together | This session explores strategies for building strong workplace culture and high-performing teams within the real estate, construction, and manufacturing industries. Participants will gain practical insights on leadership, collaboration, and team development. | General Public | Jarvis Broughton, Shante' Pumphrey | Register |
Thu, Jul 9 1:00–3:00 PM | Think Tank Thursday: Living a Mature & Disciplined Life — Part 2: Discipline, Expression & Execution | This follow-up workshop focuses on turning disciplined thinking into intentional action and execution. Participants will strengthen habits, self-expression, and leadership skills that support long-term growth. | Stakeholders - ALL, General Public | Sharnita Gates | Register |
Tue, Jul 14 1:00–3:00 PM | Tech Tuesday: TrapGPT — Your AI Book Publisher | This workshop shows entrepreneurs how to turn their experiences, expertise, and systems into published books using AI tools. Attendees will learn how books can build authority, create new revenue streams, and strengthen brand visibility. | Stakeholders - ALL, General Public | Malcolm Ali | Register |
Thu, Jul 16 1:00–3:00 PM | Think Tank Thursday: Big BIDness — Know Your Numbers | A practical finance workshop designed to help entrepreneurs better understand costs, profit margins, cash flow, and overall business performance. Participants will learn how to make informed decisions using real financial data instead of guesswork. | Stakeholders - ALL, General Public | Malcolm Ali | Register |
Thu, Jul 16 5:00–7:00 PM | Stakeholder Community Hour | A networking and engagement session designed for stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and share updates. Participants will have the opportunity to strengthen relationships and build community partnerships. | Stakeholders - ALL | Paul Mayberry | Register |
Tue, Jul 21 2:30–3:30 PM | Let's Talk Innovation — Personal Financial Planning & Wealth Building for Entrepreneurs (ACE Capital) | This session explores personal financial planning strategies for entrepreneurs, including emergency funds, retirement planning, investments, and financial stability. Participants will complete practical exercises and discuss ways to strengthen household resilience during revenue fluctuations. | Stakeholders - ALL | Shakiri Murrain | Register |
Tue, Jul 28 2:00–4:00 PM | Tech Tuesday: Bulletproof Your Tech Build — The Tech Vendor Playbook for Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs will learn how to effectively work with developers, designers, and technology vendors to avoid costly mistakes and delays. The workshop provides practical guidance for managing tech-enabled projects and getting the results you expect. | General Public, Stakeholders - ALL | Mark Lawson | Register |