ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louisan Cami Thomas is usually behind the camera.
But now her business is in the limelight.
Thomas' business is one of six startups recently selected for UMSL's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Accelerator cohort.
The other winners are B Juiced, FYSIQ, JAKAPA, Mr. Fresh, and Posie Pots.
"I am the founder and director at My Friends and I, which is a St. Louis based production company," Thomas said. "My Friends and I is the only black woman-owned production house here in St. Louis. We do commercial work, film work, documentary work here in St. Louis and we serve clients outside of St. Louis."
Founding Executive Director Dan Lauer learned a program like this was missing.
"There is no one doing this as a university. The number of applicants and the quality of applicants demonstrated we have a lot of talent here. It's that first check, that first breakthrough that's so hard that we're facilitating," Lauer explained.
The goal was to find six underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Each owner goes through a rigorous elimination process, which includes a pitch competition.
The winners then participate in an eight-week course and receive a $50,000 grant.
The course offers paid interns, goal sessions, accountability coaches, faculty assistance, and connections to investors.
In the program's first year, it received 437 applications in the midst of a pandemic.
Now, in its third year, it continues to see success with 200 applications.
Lauer believes there are fewer applications this year because of the stiff competition.
While the quantity has gone down, the quality has not.
"We want the best, whether it be tech or retail, we have a wide variety," Lauer said.
Thomas believes this opportunity will move her company into its next role.
"To make it to the next level to go from where we are now to where we want to be, which is a medium production powerhouse here. When we bring people in, recruit them in, it causes a ripple effect here in St. Louis," Thomas said.
Thomas was born and raised in St. Louis.
This opportunity only motivates her to do more.
"I feel very rooted to this community and it’s important to me to build something here and employ people that are from here," she added.
As for future applicants, Lauer said, act now.
"Work on your business. Every year we'll do this, so plan now," he said.
He also shared a tip.
"A lot of people don’t work on the finance part. If you can’t describe it, why would we invest if you don’t have that figured out?" Lauer explained.
On April 6, the six business owners will present their progress in a demonstration day.
Customers and investors can come out to show support.
Primary sponsors include Ameren, Edward Jones, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and private donors to make this all happen.
The Anheuser-Busch Foundation also stepped in this year and pledged $100,000 to fund a sixth spot.
Past applicants include Flipstik, Pop Pop Hurray! Gourmet Popcorn, and The Fattened Caf.
All of them have surpassed revenue goals, opened new locations, and expanded their presence nationwide.
More than 800 entrepreneurs have applied to participate in the DEI Accelerator since it started.
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