📅 Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: The Cube Cowork, 4709 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214
💵 Cost: FREE (Registration Required)
🅿️ Parking: Street parking + lot behind Zeke’s Coffee
It’s time to turn barriers into business plans.
Baltimore is a city rich in creativity, hustle, and resilience—but too many of our residents face economic roadblocks due to past incarceration. The RIDE (Returning Citizens Inspired to Develop Entrepreneurial Ventures) Program at Morgan State University’s EDAC is here to change that.
Join us for the RIDE Entrepreneurship Center Summit, a transformative, one-day event designed specifically for formerly incarcerated individuals who are ready to rewrite their story through entrepreneurship.
This isn’t just another summit. It’s a launching pad.
🔹 What You’ll Experience
✅ 3 Powerful Workshop Tracks
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Entrepreneurship Bootcamp – Business fundamentals and startup strategy
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Government Contracting – How to access opportunities and secure contracts
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Business Credit – Build and use business credit the right way
🎤 Pitch Competition
Pitch your business idea for a chance to win funding, mentorship, and visibility.
🌐 Resource Fair & Vendor Expo
Connect with agencies, lenders, and service providers who are ready to support your growth.
💼 1-on-1 Business Counseling
Meet with experienced advisors to create a roadmap for your entrepreneurial journey.
🎙️ Breakthrough Live Podcast Interviews
Hear real stories of transformation and resilience.
🥗 Lunch + Networking + Awards Ceremony
Build community, celebrate wins, and connect with advocates who believe in second chances.
👥 Who Should Attend?
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Returning citizens looking to start or grow a business
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Reentry advocates and mentorship organizations
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Entrepreneurs seeking new tools, networks, and support
💡 RIDE Pitch Competition
Got a bold idea or existing business? This is your chance to shine. Finalists will pitch live during the summit for microgrants, mentorship, and more. Apply at registration.
🏆 The Howard Wicker Awards
Honoring leadership, innovation, and impact among returning citizen entrepreneurs. The deadline has been extended.
Why This Matters
Baltimore—America’s Blackest big city—has experienced the painful consequences of mass incarceration. But we also have more than enough potential, talent, and vision to rebuild lives and communities through business. The RIDE Program helps transform justice-impacted individuals into job creators, changemakers, and leaders.
This is how we break cycles. This is how we build legacies.
Join us. Let’s ride.
Register now: Click here
Learn more about EDAC’s work at https://www.edacmorgan.com/
#RIDEWithUs #SecondChances #BaltimoreEntrepreneurs #EDACMorgan #BlackBusinessMatter
