Former NFL Player Launches Small Business Incubator for Youth in Underserved Neighborhoods

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NFL,Walter Mendenhall,Small Business Incubator

Former NFL player Walter Mendenhall has opened a small business incubator called Co-LLAB in Englewood, aimed at helping young people of color in underserved neighborhoods launch creative endeavors and small businesses in the arts, entertainment, and retail.

Former NFL player Walter Mendenhall attends the April 11, 2024, opening of Co-LLAB, a business incubator in Englewood, founded by his organization Male Mogul Initiative. The incubator’s goal is to help young people of color in underserved neighborhoods launch creative endeavors and small businesses in the arts, entertainment and retail.

Co-LLAB is another branch of the Male Mogul Initiative, which was founded by Mendenhall in 2017. The nonprofit seeks to shape young men through leadership, entrepreneurship and workforce development and has helped over 3,000 people since its inception, according to the organization. A Chicago native, Mendenhall was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals between 2009 and 2010. He also played college football for the University of Illinois and Illinois State University, and grew up in Skokie, playing for Niles West High School.

She said Co-LLAB will not only help her with networking opportunities but also provide space to help run her business. She hopes young people see her work in their communities and get inspired to become their own boss, especially as someone who has lived on the South Side of Chicago her whole life. Jaurice Winston, a graduate of the Male Mogul Initiative, pictured on , Thursday, April 11, 2024, will help manage Co-LLAB, a new business incubator in Englewood.

 

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