So Fresh & So Clean
August 19, 2026
THE BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH
While it may be known as a tourist destination anchored by boardwalks, amusement parks, and beach life, the Island of Galveston is deeply rooted in Black history. Most famously, Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, where the last enslaved people were informed of their freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years after its signing. This distinction is displayed by the historical sites along the Freedom Walk, the path Union soldiers took to announce the abolishment of slavery.
Due to shifts in innovation and gentrification, the Black population has steadily declined. Residents feel that “Black residents are being pushed out by forces beyond their control, without help from institutions that don’t care whether they stay or go.”
Galveston was once hailed as the “Wall Street of the South” and is primed to become that once more. The opportunity exists for entrepreneurs to capitalize on the fact that the island is home to the fourth busiest port for cruise ships. MORTAR wants local, Black-owned businesses to be in a position to leverage their skills to capitalize on opportunities like this. For this reason, we’ve partnered with Vision Galveston in 2023 to present the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy.
our
academy
The MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy is a fifteen-week course designed for those who are starting or growing their businesses. It will challenge you. It will inspire you. It will force you to confront your limitations and help you identify and develop your strengths. You will be exposed to new information and you will be reminded of what you already know. You will be asked to work hard inside and outside of class. You will be asked to think abstractly; to imagine something that does not yet exist. You will be asked to think concretely; to work with data and information and to make decisions about your business. But most of all, you will be asked to make some REAL decisions. If at any point you decide that this entrepreneurial journey isn’t for you—come and talk to us. Chances are we can talk you off of the ledge;, but if you choose to walk away, understand that everything you’ve learned will still help you on your journey to wherever you’re headed.
our
academy
The MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy is a fifteen-week course designed for those who are starting or growing their businesses. It will challenge you. It will inspire you. It will force you to confront your limitations and help you identify and develop your strengths. You will be exposed to new information and you will be reminded of what you already know. You will be asked to work hard inside and outside of class. You will be asked to think abstractly; to imagine something that does not yet exist. You will be asked to think concretely; to work with data and information and to make decisions about your business. But most of all, you will be asked to make some REAL decisions. If at any point you decide that this entrepreneurial journey isn’t for you—come and talk to us. Chances are we can talk you off of the ledge;, but if you choose to walk away, understand that everything you’ve learned will still help you on your journey to wherever you’re headed.
program
FLOW
Before taking flight, even before stepping onto the plane, a pilot consults her preflight checklist. This is to ensure that when she’s soaring 30,000 feet above the clouds, nothing surprises her, nothing throws her off her course. Read below to get a taste of a typical class and the week-by-week outline.
ELEMENTS OF A MORTAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY SESSION
MEETS WEEKLY FOR THREE HOURS
‘PUTTING IN WORK’ OUTSIDE OF CLASS
GUEST SPEAKERS
WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH MENTORS
ACTIVITIES
VIDEOS
REFLECTION
CELEBRATING SUCCESS AND LEARNING FROM FAILURE
WEEK BY WEEK
ORIENTATION:
Get your books, meet your facilitators, connect with your peers in the cohort, and familiarize yourself with the structure and expectations for the upcoming classes.
WEEKS 1-4 : FOUNDATIONS
The first part of the MASTERS curriculum focuses on setting a strong foundation for you as an entrepreneur, helping you understand yourself, your current situation, and your readiness to pursue your business goals.
WEEKS 5-8 : THE CORE
We delve into the essential technical aspects of launching or expanding a business, focusing on what we call The CORE - This phase explores key business fundamentals: Branding and Networking, Sales and Distribution, Competitive Analysis, Cost Structure, and Storytelling.
WEEKS 9-11 : REALLY REAL
Learn how to apply what has been learned in this course to real-life situations.
WEEKS 11-15 : BEYOND MORTAR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACADEMY
Exploring life beyond this course. Embracing the art of storytelling, crafting compelling pitches, and forging ahead with goal-setting and planning for the future.
Interested in
learning more?
To apply for the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy program in Galveston, please click APPLY NOW at the top of this page.
For more information or to donate, visit VISION Galveston.
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