Mayor's Jumpstart Academy graduates include city employees and new entrepreneurs

Graduates of the mayor's Jumpstart Academy were featured in the segment, including city staff and residents who said the program helped them apply business lessons to their ventures.

Yoneique Watkins, identified in the segment as a deputy city clerk, said she formed God's Words to Me LLC, a faith-based business selling devotionals, prayer journals, children's books and inscribed candles. Watkins said the academy taught practical skills: "The Jumpstart Academy helped me to price mark my products based off of how much it takes to to make the 1 candle, for example." The broadcast said her two daughters participated in the academy and received certificates at the graduation ceremony.

Terrell Goldwire, a city commission aide, is the founder of the Freckleberry line, which includes children's books and a kids clothing collection; the segment described the line as stemming from Goldwire's experience in modeling and her mother's encouragement. Caitlin Kenny, who works as the city's marketing graphics supervisor and runs a side business selling handmade jewelry, told the segment the academy filled gaps in her knowledge, including finance and LLC registration.

Program participants in the segment emphasized networking and peer support as key benefits; the broadcast did not provide enrollment numbers, program cost details, curriculum documents or the academy's funding sources.