Many who know Thomasville will agree it is an incredibly special and beautiful community. What seems to set it apart is a spirit of commitment by its citizenry to provide opportunities in all facets of life to those who wish to participate. One important contributor to this commitment is the Rotary Club of Thomasville.

This year Rotary Club President John Brown has chosen to direct the club’s $1,500 District Grant funds to do good locally. John tapped SPARK Thomasville to receive these funds which will assist budding minority entrepreneurs to launch their businesses from a solid foundation. Also highly involved in SPARK Thomasville are Rotary past presidents Andre’ Marria and Teri White, as well as a host of other local Rotarians who serve the program as mentors, coaches and judges.

SPARK Thomasville, which is the brainchild of several local leaders, copies tried-and-true programs such as LAUNCH Chattanooga. According to respected Thomasville businessman Harry Jones, “SPARK Thomasville addresses challenges specific to low-wealth individuals who are launching businesses and who live in economically disadvantaged communities.” Jones explained to the first graduating cohort of 19 in 2019 that the SPARK Thomasville tagline had become “A business incubator for the underestimated.”

Jones noted that this undertaking was born of a community effort to change negative public emotions following a tragic 2017 local police incident. He and Rotarian Nathanial Abrams and others discussed ways to derail the destructive undercurrent before it boiled over. The group decided the best approach would be to provide the pillar of economic viability to an underserved and underestimated segment of the community. True to the spirit of commitment, several Thomasville families, individuals, and churches provided the seed money to establish the SPARK initiative.

Sybol Rembert, a graduate of the first SPARK Thomasville cohort, enthusiastically credits the program with putting her on the right track by offering resources and mentors who have encouraged her to leave her comfort zone to grow her cosmetology and barbering school, Top Notch Training Institute. Sybol does not hesitate to return to the program to seek advice and guidance as her business grows. https://topeducationtraining.com/

Statistics show that most new businesses fail within their first few years. Under 50% make it to the fifth year and only 40% turn a profit. Thus, it makes perfect sense to offer a program like SPARK Thomasville which provides a range of resources and support to launch credible business proposals. SPARK Thomasville offers a twelve-week cohort-based program to approved candidates that equips them “with insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn ideas into action and a passion into a sustainable and thriving endeavor.” In the current environment of Covid-19 SPARK Thomasville’s CEO, Sharon Edwards, like everyone else, has had to be creative. The organization continues to rebuild curriculum to safely offer its mission to its consumers. Sharon and her team refuse to be stymied, especially now with support of the Rotary Club of Thomasville.