The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) announced a $100,000 grant from Bank of America to support RICE programming for Black business owners.

The bank has given a total of $400,000 to RICE since 2020 for its Big Ideas learning platform, which provides guides to help entrepreneurs from ideation to scale.

"In a short window of time as a stakeholder at RICE, I have accomplished my two- to three-year goals in just a few months," said Natasha Simmons, RICE stakeholder and CEO of Yacht Club Access, LLC. "The Big Ideas curriculum and coaching have drastically transformed my business."

Launched with the idea of turning fashion into art, Yacht Club Access is a way of life as much as a high-end, eco-friendly swimsuit company. Every item in Yacht Club's unique collections features a variety of styles, from classic pieces that radiate carefree elegance to daring and avant-garde designs that push the limits of swimsuit trends.

Simmons also participated in the Columbia Trade Mission, organized by RICE and sent 20 Black business owners from the Atlanta area to Cali, Columbia, to foster international investment opportunities, partnerships, and economic growth.

"We are immensely grateful for Bank of America's continuous support," said Jay Bailey, CEO of RICE. "This grant will enable us to expand our impact and provide even more entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance they need to turn their visions into reality."

RICE is the largest business incubation hub dedicated to nurturing Black-owned businesses in the United States, at 54,000 sq. ft. Over the past four years, RICE has expanded its reach, serving over 350 full-time stakeholder entrepreneurs and impacting over 10,000 individuals.

"Since 2020, our partnership with RICE has helped empower Atlanta's dynamic business community," said Alfred McRae, president of Bank of America, Atlanta. "This grant represents our steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and supporting the visionary entrepreneurs at RICE who are driving innovation and opportunity in our city."