The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance awards $150,000 to 75 Local Creative Entrepreneurs, Fueling Growth & Innovation across the region

Philadelphia, PA – The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (“Cultural Alliance”) is pleased to announce the final round of grants made through the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator, a program of PA Creative Industries (powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts). In this final round, 75 creative entrepreneurs received a total of $150,000 in grants to support their small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia region. Since 2021, the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant program has provided 359 creative entrepreneurs with small business consulting and up to $2,000 in critical financial resources to grow businesses and revenue, totaling just over $700,000.

This program is administered by the Cultural Alliance on behalf of PA Creative Industries (powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts), a state agency. In 2025, PA Creative Industries adopted a new strategic framework and updated its mission to strengthen the Commonwealth through the arts. As part of this transition, the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) program will sunset, concluding the Cultural Alliance’s role as the southeastern region’s administrator at the end of FY26. PA Creative Industries is working to revise the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program and will launch in a new form. You can visit their website for more information.

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2026 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grantees 

• A.B. Wren
• Aaron Harel, a.j. zone design
• Akira Gordon
• Anabella Atach, Atach Language Coach – Canticuentos
• Andres Perez Correa, POR APC DESIGN
• Angeliza Johnson, Zavage Guru in Venuz
• Anthony Cordero, Outcasts Dance Complex
• Armstead Dickerson, ADSS Creative Studio
• Asia Pembleton, Ann King Visions
• Bobby Williams, Bobby Williams
• Brandon Straus
• Caitlin Brady
• Chloe Glynn, Playhouse Lounge Research Institute
• Christian Harper
• Christiana Manson, Artpreneur Kids Club
• Christine Wright, Christine Wright, DBA Pretty Shiny Beads
• Claire Fukuchi, Claire Fukuchi
• Danielle Wilson, Golden Afternoon Media LLC
• Dean Greenstreet
• Destiny Cox, WANO Studios LLC
• Elise Mark, Creative Becoming
• Eric César Morales, Wanderlings LLC
• Genevieve Dean, Toucan Enterprise, LLC
• Jada Jackson, Last Call Games
• Jerard James, Journey Creative Studios 
• Jia “Yidi” Outhier, Art by Yidi
• John Creighton
• John Walthausen, Filament
• Jose Ortiz-Pagan
• Joseph Garcia, Semoske LLC
• Joseph Iacona, Iacona Arts LLC
• Joshua Lim
• Kate Crankshaw
• Keeshawn Nicholson, TAME FIbers
• Kenya Bullock, The Ken Cloth
• Kyhawnia Jackson-Pinckney, Vivre La Vie Pleinement (VLVP)
• Lauren Lark, Lark Music Inc.
• Lauren Mohr
• Lauren Settles
• Lesly Tiong, LUV Creations LLC
• Matthew Goldberg, Fountain Studios LLC
• Mauricio Perez
• Michael Jones
• Michael Mahoney, Soft World Studios
• Minda Reves, Minda Honey
• Nicolo Gentile, Nicolo Gentile
• Nina Grier, Historical Dream,LLC
• Nyah Bell, goodfoot design and consulting
• Pairie Mallory (Harper), Mallory Arts Center
• Patricia Noonan
• Quinton Bowen, Rebel World LLC
• Raymond Bailey, Ray Bailey Photography
• Renee Kirby, Westside Framing Studio
• Ruby Gertz, Slow Fashion Academy
• Samuel Johnson, SMJ Media, LLC
• Sarah Mason, Visionary Connections LLC
• Saul Jonatan, Pixel Grove Studio LLC
• Shaina Selvaraju, House of Slate
• Shameka Sawyer, Sunkissed Group LLC
• Sierra Harvey, Shop.SNH
• Steven Martinho, Stereo Flavors LLC
• Steven Page, SoundofPage
• Stivaly Frias, Stivaly
• Tamika Ryant, Verses & Vibes LLC
• Tania Leon, Tenangos Philly LLC
• Teresa Flood, Spirited Moon Inspirations LLC
• Terrell Halsey, Terrell Halsey Art LLC
• Tira Kelly, TIRACOOKS
• Tshay Williams, Three Aces Consulting Group LLC
• Vallyn Murphy, Armwood Tigercub LLC
• Victoria Crenshaw, Torileigh Productions LLC
• Winter Scarlett, nothing unwanted
• Yamilet Martinez, Yamsonthedaily LLC
• Zita Mvula, Mwaya Consulting
• Zoe Marchiano, Wynonna Metals