The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) and The Hanover Insurance Group are proud to officially announce our formal partnership. The announcement event held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at the Russell Center featured a presentation highlighting exclusive insurance-based programming in Digital RICE. Senior Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer, Basil Morris, shared The Hanover’s commitment to supporting the growth of our diverse business community, along with his sentiments for being at the original home of HJ Russell Co. and the importance of property and casualty insurance for small business owners. In conjunction with the announcement was a check presentation of The Hanover’s generous gift of $250,000 by Kim Salmon, Assistant Vice-President of Community Relations and President of the Hanover Foundation. Photos taken of the event by RICE Stakeholder Adrian Shelby can be viewed here: RICE X THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP :: Adrian Shelby Photography (sproutstudio.com)
RICE’s partnership with the Hanover has led to the development of a 3-part self-paced video series to be housed within Digital RICE, our unique AI-powered platform that serves as a resource hub tailored exclusively for Black entrepreneurs to help them navigate business opportunities and challenges. Launched in April 2023, Digital RICE was accessible exclusively to RICE Stakeholders; however, the free, online platform will expand availability to all entrepreneurs in Atlanta and beyond by Summer 2024. This new content enlightens entrepreneurs on the importance of commercial insurance and basic coverages, managing risks, and the value of working with an independent agent to address evolving insurance needs.
With quality partnerships and collaborations, RICE, Atlanta’s home for Black entrepreneurs, serves as an economic mobility engine for the community, driving innovation, growth, job creation, and wealth building. Inspired by the legacy of Herman J. Russell, RICE is dedicated to building Black businesses and stands as the largest center in the world dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.RussellCenter.org and follow @RICEAtlanta on social media to see the recap of the Hanover announcement.
