The shelves are shifting. So are the stories behind the products.
At the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, we are committed to equipping Black-owned consumer product companies with the strategy, support, and confidence to succeed in national retail. Through our Retail Readiness Academy™ (RRA), we help entrepreneurs move beyond the dream of being in stores and into the reality of being shelf-ready, sales-driven, and sustainable.
RRA isn’t just a program. It’s a full-scale retail readiness experience designed to position founders for long-term success. From refining packaging to mastering the art of the buyer pitch, this intensive learning journey helps product-based entrepreneurs understand what it really takes to thrive in retail environments across the country.
And the impact speaks for itself.
Just ask the team behind Reddrop, the first Black-owned, eco-friendly feminine care brand carried at Target. After completing RRA, Reddrop went on to win the prestigious Black Ambition Prize, a national competition led by Pharrell Williams. The brand’s rise is a powerful example of how strategic preparation and access can transform a business.
Now, a new class of founders is stepping into that same opportunity.
We are proud to introduce the 2025 RRA Cohort; a dynamic group of creators, innovators, and retail visionaries who are building brands rooted in culture, excellence, and longevity.
RICE Proudly Presents the 2025 Retail Readiness Academy Cohort:
- Ahriana Edwards, Vaila Shoes | vailashoes.com
A corporate-inspired footwear brand for women with extended sizes ranging from 9 to 14.
- Antoine Davenport, Aromex Air, LLC | aromexair.com
An aromatherapy company offering natural scents for home, car, and business. The first Black-owned manufacturer of wall plug-in fragrances.
- Monique Bell, Bell’s Master Blend Sauces | bellsmasterblendsauces.com
Handcrafted sauces that add bold, high-quality flavor to every meal.
- Khadijah Muhammad, Kay’s Cookery / Habeeb’s Gourmet Sauces | habeebssauce.com
Chef-crafted sauces using locally sourced ingredients to make home-cooked meals creative again.
- Brian Reynolds, Just for Teens | justforteens.biz
An organic skincare line made specifically for preteens and teenagers with safe, sustainable ingredients.
- Cassandra Rhodes, The Gumbo Gourmet Roux | thegumbogourmet.com/
A New Orleans-inspired culinary brand serving up authentic gumbo base with premium ingredients, cultural pride, and Southern flavor that speaks to the soul.
- Sonya Gilkey, Wrapaloc Products Inc. | wrapaloc.com
A patented, two-in-one styling tool for curling and maintaining locs with ease.
- Sway Jones, Sway Art | soswayed.com
A six-figure creative brand merging culture, color, and community into immersive art experiences.
- Jennifer Barbosa, International Supply Partners, LLC | internationalsupplypartners.com
A global procurement firm helping businesses source top-quality products through international connections.
- Jennifer Kanyamibwa, Plant Lady Juice Co. | plantladyjuice.co
A wellness brand offering organic cold-pressed juices, herbal teas, and small-batch botanical remedies.
- Kristen Dunning, Gently Soap | gentlysoap.com
Herbal skincare for sensitive skin and eczema, made sustainably with deep roots in agricultural science.
- Melissa Scott, Loc Em Up Products LLC | locemup.com
All-natural hair and body care solutions made with love for the loc-wearing and natural hair community.
- Asia Martin Ingram, No Label Candle Company | nolabelcandlecompany.com
Eco-friendly candles and fragrance products, handmade in Atlanta with purpose and care.
- Omari Anderson, The Best Dirty Lemonade | thebestdirtylemonade.com
A bold, hemp-infused, non-alcoholic drink brand redefining what a lemonade experience can be.
- Jon Dabney, Rocketsport-1 | rocketsports-1.com
Performance gear built to support and empower athletes through innovative, high-quality design.
This year’s cohort is ready to grow, ready to pitch, and ready to place their products in major retailers. Over the coming months, they will explore every angle of the retail process from branding and packaging to pricing, merchandising, and strategic growth planning. They are building retail-ready brands, and they are doing it with intention.
We want to extend a special thank you to our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Terri-Nichelle Bradley and Stefan Miller, for guiding this experience with purpose, patience, and unmatched industry expertise. Their leadership and insights are key to helping founders make the leap from local hero to national brand.
At RICE, we don’t just celebrate access. We build the pipeline that makes Uncommon Access™ possible. We don’t just talk about success. We equip entrepreneurs to achieve it and sustain it.
The shelves are waiting, and this class is ready to rise.
Follow their journey on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and across all RICE digital platforms.
This is retail done differently. And it starts right here.
