Jacksonville has launched a new Entrepreneurship Program for Individuals with Disabilities, developed by the city's Disabled Services Division in partnership with the Mayor's Disability Council, the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business (JSEB) Program, and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). The program focuses on providing education, mentorship, and access to business resources to support individuals with disabilities in pursuing entrepreneurship.
The program held a recent graduation ceremony where eight individuals with disabilities were awarded their Entrepreneurship Certificates of Completion, according to the City of Jacksonville. Among the graduates, Mayor Donna Deegan remarked, "We are well on our way to becoming the Small Business Capital of the Southeast, and this groundbreaking new program is another exciting step towards that goal." The program complements the city's ongoing focus on diversifying economic opportunities, as it also rolled out the Professional Animal Workers (PAWS) Program earlier this year, further highlighting its commitment to inclusive development.
The program is hosted at FSCJ’s Downtown Campus, where participants have access to modern facilities equipped with accessibility features to support inclusive participation. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including business planning, financial literacy, and branding, aiming to provide participants with foundational skills for entrepreneurship. Gregory Grant, EBO/JSEB Administrator for the City of Jacksonville, said in the city's announcement, "Entrepreneurship is an inclusive social science, and this program ensures that individuals with disabilities are empowered to be entrepreneurial leaders within the community."
