photo by steed media service

Jamell Meeks yearned for a more powerful and intimate spiritual impact on the women who attend Salem Baptist Church. Already the director of the women’s ministry, Meeks yearned to minister in an even greater capacity. After much prayer on the matter, Meeks created the A.R.I.S.E Entrepreneur Program, a platform designed to awaken the dormant entrepreneurial spirit that sleeps in many women.

“A.R.I.S.E. started as a dream of mine to help women in our congregation, and in the city of Chicago to launch their own personal business[es],” says Meeks. “I knew women who had dreams of starting their own business and I wanted to help them. I want women to come to A.R.I.S.E for inspiration. Without inspiration, you will find it difficult to move on after you hit that first brick wall. The program also offers resources [that] teach, encourage and show the right way to start [a] business. We have classes every Tuesday night for six weeks. During the course of the class women learn how to market their business, name their business[es] and finance their business[es].”

Meeks also stressed the importance of developing certain qualities that will contribute to their entrepreneurial success. “Male or female, you need three basic qualities: drive, because there will be some days that you will not get to bed on time; passion, [because] if you don’t believe in your dream no one else will; and a support system. That is what we give. Support.” – adrienne gadling


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