The R.I.D.E. Center is funded by a grant from the Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce


About RIDE
Returning Citizens Inspired to Develop Entrepreneurial Ventures (R.I.D.E.) Center

Fact Sheet
​
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
The Entrepreneurial Development & Assistance Center (EDAC) has played a major role in introducing entrepreneurship across campus and within the community for over 19 years.  EDAC was established to offer entrepreneurship education to the Morgan community while providing resources to help individuals within the community start, operate and scale a business. Serving about 1,000 individuals each year with workshops, one on one business counseling, specialty training, live events, and media exposure through its varied podcasts. The mission of the Entrepreneurial Development and Assistance Center (EDAC) is to connect budding and existing entrepreneurs to resources for venture management and growth. EDAC is a unit of the Office of the Provost at Morgan State University.  
​
Morgan State University through the EDAC received a grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Entrepreneurship Education Program for Formerly Incarcerated Persons. MBDA is committed to leveraging its capabilities to help increase opportunities that formerly incarcerated minority persons face in trying to reenter the workforce. The Entrepreneurship Education Program for Formerly Incarcerated Persons will focus on funding innovative projects to support and equip formerly incarcerated individuals with the skills, resources, and network to start their own businesses.
ACTIVITIES ​

  • Workforce Development. 3 hour entrepreneurship boot camp (all participants receive access to an online tool to help with business planning) learning the basics of starting, operating, and growing a business.
  • Continuing Education. Popup Workshops to further help individuals with creating an entrepreneurial mindset and business.
  • Resources. Monthly podcast, monthly video podcast highlighting formerly incarcerated individuals who are now exploring entrepreneurship or finding new ways to grow their enterprise and resources from other organizations. 
  • RIDE University, monthly videos on starting, operating and growing your enterprise.   
  • One on One Business Guidance.   Budding and existing entrepreneurs will have access to one on one business counseling. 
  • Room to Grow Initiative.   Ten individuals will be selected to participant in and advisory board initiative that meets monthly for 10 months.  Selected individuals will have an opportunity to create goals and receive feedback monthly from an advisory board. 
  • Event. Annual Symposium, testimonies from individuals participating in the 2-day boot camp, research on what’s working, and workshops to further consider ways to make money for life and business.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected].
Stay Connected!
​Morgan State University
4100 Hillen Road
EDAC, Suite 302B
Baltimore, MD 21218
​443-885-3663
www.edacmorgan.com
[email protected] ​