Our Founder and Award-Winning Strategist Earns $10,000 Business Grant

Article By: Keontá Ramsey​ of  Eloquence Unlimited
Photos By: Megan Foster of Mnfotographs

​After 5 years of serving more than 250 entrepreneurs and philanthropic executives, Lake View native, Tabitha D. James, earned the distinction of being the 2021 recipient of a $10,000 business grant from the South Carolina Community Loan Fund’s Local Entrepreneur Acceleration Program (LEAP).

Following completion of an intensive ten-week course, in which business owners expand their business knowledge and create a refined business plan with an accompanying presentation, the three strongest business plans receive $5,000, $10,000, or $30,000.  James’ stellar business plan and presentation earned her the 2nd largest capital grant as the proprietor of SHEAM Strategic Consulting Group. SHEM is a boutique firm on a mission to create strategic marketing plans and solutions for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs, thought leaders and those that serve them. Tabitha humbly boasts an undeniable track record of consistent wins, not only for herself but for scores of others she’s been trusted to lead. 

With that in mind, she has a well-developed plan underway to leverage the grant funding provided through LEAP to support the official expansion of SHEAM. Through countless speaking engagements, publications, and presentations she has helped hundreds secure funding, streamline business practices, and skyrocket profitability, a trend she intends to continue through SHEAM’s expansion. The seed funding for LEAP was made possible through support of Wells Fargo’s Diverse Community Capital program, TD Bank, and Truist. LEAP aims to support diversity in small business ownership across South Carolina by providing minority and women entrepreneurs with business plan development support, technical skills, and the chance to compete for a startup capital award.
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As a highly accomplished strategic powerhouse, international speaker, and 5-time published author, James has touched the lives of over 50,000 men, women, and teenagers through national engagements, training, virtual events, and mentorship. Her name is synonymous with unapologetic advocacy for long-term empowerment of black/brown women and young girls across the deep South, where the positive voices of African Americans are stifled or non-existent. Her philanthropic efforts are most evident through her impact-driven non-profit organization, SHE is Me, where she’s raised closed to $80K in grant funding and individual donations in a few short years. With the additional funding provided through LEAP, James will have the backing to not only build a more diverse small business in her home state of South Carolina but also provide proven resources to a rising community of BIPOC generational business leaders.

​​For more information on booking Tabitha for an interview, engagement or speaking event, please visit https://www.tabithadjames.com.

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