{"id":6745,"date":"2024-12-13T15:44:14","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T15:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=6745"},"modified":"2025-03-20T17:30:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T21:30:41","slug":"wilmington-university-celebrates-the-1000th-graduate-of-the-launcher-entrepreneurship-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2024\/12\/13\/wilmington-university-celebrates-the-1000th-graduate-of-the-launcher-entrepreneurship-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilmington University Celebrates the 1,000th Graduate of the Launcher Entrepreneurship Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column6745_2973ec-46 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column6745_2973ec-46\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image6745_efdce0-42.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image6745_efdce0-42 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:300px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image6745_efdce0-42.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image6745_efdce0-42 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image6745_efdce0-42 figure{max-width:300px;}.kb-image6745_efdce0-42 .image-is-svg, .kb-image6745_efdce0-42 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image6745_efdce0-42 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image6745_efdce0-42\"><figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"838\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kiandra-Parks_Launcher-Program-Grad_12.03.24-838x1024-1.jpg\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-15866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kiandra-Parks_Launcher-Program-Grad_12.03.24-838x1024-1.jpg 838w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kiandra-Parks_Launcher-Program-Grad_12.03.24-838x1024-1-205x250.jpg 205w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kiandra-Parks_Launcher-Program-Grad_12.03.24-838x1024-1-393x480.jpg 393w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Kiandra-Parks_Launcher-Program-Grad_12.03.24-838x1024-1-768x938.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px\" \/><figcaption><em>Kiandra Parks<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wilmington University<\/a> (WilmU<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>) hosted the fall 2024 graduation ceremony for the <a href=\"https:\/\/westendnh.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West End Neighborhood House<\/a> (WENH) Launcher Entrepreneurship Program, which marked an exciting milestone: celebrating the program&#8217;s 1,000th graduate, <strong>Kiandra Parks<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parks, one of 81 graduates in the cohort, was selected as the embodiment of the program\u2019s spirit and success. She leads Heritage Urban Farm and Garden, an initiative inspired by her experience as an AmeriCorps apprentice at <a href=\"https:\/\/westendnh.org\/programs\/brightspotfarms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bright Spot Urban Farm<\/a>, a social enterprise of WENH. Her vision is to tackle food insecurity and empower senior citizens to grow their own food.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Launcher program gave me the tools and confidence to create a solid business plan and pursue my dream. It\u2019s a full-circle moment,\u201d Parks shares.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parks\u2019 initiative showcases the transformative power of the Launcher Entrepreneurship Program, which has helped create or expand nearly 500 businesses and 900 jobs in Delaware since its inception in 2017.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKiandra\u2019s story exemplifies what the Launcher Program is all about \u2014 turning passion into purpose and creating opportunities for economic empowerment and sustainability,\u201d says <strong>Paul Calistro<\/strong>, executive director of West End Neighborhood House.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The program\u2019s success is driven by strong partnerships, including Wilmington University, which hosts the Launcher curriculum and graduation ceremonies while offering graduates mentorship, resources and opportunities to bring their dreams to life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The Launcher program gave me the tools and confidence to create a solid business plan and pursue my dream.<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Kiandra Parks<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWilmington University is honored to partner with West End Neighborhood House to support aspiring entrepreneurs through the Launcher Program,\u201d says the University\u2019s President, <strong>Dr. LaVerne Harmon<\/strong>. \u201cPrograms like this create lasting change, empowering individuals to achieve their dreams while fostering economic growth and sustainability in our communities. Kiandra Parks epitomizes the program\u2019s spirit, and we are so proud of her achievements.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parks seeks funding and a permanent location to bring her urban farm and community garden vision to life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilmington University congratulates all the graduates of the Launcher Entrepreneurship Program and celebrates the positive impact they continue to make in Delaware communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id6745_d78355-69{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id6745_d78355-69 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id6745_d78355-69 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id6745_d78355-69 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px 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{\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col > div,.wu-img-col > div {\tflex: 1;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id6745_d78355-69 alignnone FULL wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > 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.kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b figure.image-is-svg {-webkit-margin-after: 1em;  margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column6745_5e2b35-4b kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image6745_d68e2f-0f:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image6745_d68e2f-0f.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image6745_d68e2f-0f .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image6745_d68e2f-0f image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/wilmu-cta-logo-wu-1.svg\" alt=\"Wilmington University Logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-13075\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 > div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column6745_d5f960-d3 kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em><em>To learn more about partnering with Wilmington University, visit <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/partnerships\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>wilmu.edu\/Partnerships<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, Wilmington University (WilmU\u00ae) hosted the fall 2024 graduation ceremony for the West End Neighborhood House (WENH) Launcher Entrepreneurship Program, which&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":16477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[829,54,830,831,832,14,15],"class_list":["post-6745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-bright-spot-urban-farm","tag-dr-laverne-harmon","tag-launcher-entrepreneurship-program","tag-wenh","tag-west-end-neighborhood-house","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmu"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"ACADEMIC 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