At the September 18th Transform Westside Summit, Jay Bailey, President & CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, spoke on the importance of community, culture, and covenant in regard to Black-owned businesses in America. The Russell Center (RCIE), named in honor of Herman J. Russell, “is in two businesses: the readiness business and the access business,” said Bailey. Part incubator, accelerator, innovation lab and even museum, RCIE is teaching entrepreneurs of color how to turn dreams into thriving enterprises on a scale not seen before in American History.

Jay Bailey, President & CEO, Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Primarily, Jay Bailey hopes to see the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship raise the collective prosperity of Black Atlantans, who currently suffer from one of the worst income disparities in the nation. In the future, RCIE aims to have an impact that extends beyond the southeast region, as many African Americans across the country experience similar income disparities. Once fully constructed, RCIE will house 50,000 square feet of affordable coworking, convening, meeting and maker space; along with a robust offering of educational, mentoring, networking, and capital resources.

See Jay Bailey’s full interview below.