Locations:
SearchFifteen Northeast Ohio businesses have been mentored over last three years through annual initiative
images: 1
video: 0
audio: 0
text: 0
Content is property of Cleveland Clinic and for news media use only.
Graduates of the 2024 DEI Supplier Accelerator mentorship program. from left to right are: Shariq Ali, founder and principal, Algebra AEC Phoebe Lee, chief executive officer, Acumen Apparel Brendan Trewella, president, Small Organization Solutions Josh Maxwell, creative director, Small Organization Solutions Christian Hunter, founder and president, Cleveland Drones James Barnes, founder and president, Immaculate Management
Five diverse local businesses recently completed this year’s six-month Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Supplier Accelerator mentorship program. This annual program, a collaboration between Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, aims to expand the knowledge and impact of diverse-owned businesses based in Northeast Ohio.
Designed to support participants in growing their companies, the DEI Supplier Accelerator has mentored leaders from 15 businesses since the program began in 2022. The program has offered:
Businesses that recently completed the 2024 program are listed below.
Acumen Apparel
Phoebe Lee, chief executive officer
Customer service-focused company that offers modern uniforms, workwear and safety apparel that is both stylish and comfortable.
Shariq Ali, founder and principal
An architectural engineering firm specializing in building systems consulting, providing innovative solutions for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing), audiovisual and IT design for institutions and large corporate clients.
Christian Hunter, founder and president
A drone service provider that offers customized solutions in construction, real estate and media, and educates youth on drone technology.
James Barnes, founder and president
A comprehensive facilities management company providing a full range of building services, including janitorial, landscaping, painting, and more.
Josh Maxwell, creative director
Brendan Trewella, president
A full-service creative consultancy dedicated to crafting narratives and reimagining spaces or experiences that deliver growth, engagement and impact.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Cleveland Clinic:
Katrina Healy, 216.386.0955, healyk@ccf.org
University Hospitals:
Ansley Kelm, 678.313.6525, Ansley.Kelm@UHhospitals.org
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of more than 20 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, Taiwan National University College of Medicine and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.
Editor’s Note: University Hospitals is available to provide images, broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
