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Newswise — CLEVELAND -- Five diverse local businesses recently completed this year’s six-month Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Supplier Accelerator mentorship program. This annual program, a collaboration between Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, aims to expand the knowledge and impact of diverse-owned businesses based in Northeast Ohio.

Designed to support participants in growing their companies, the DEI Supplier Accelerator has mentored leaders from 15 businesses since the program began in 2022. The program has offered:

• Business development coaching and navigation of the large corporate sourcing process.
• One-on-one access to leaders and subject matter experts from Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
• Networking opportunities with decision makers and suppliers from Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.
• Multidisciplinary business review process that provides actionable feedback to develop and grow their business.
• A $10,000 cash prize upon successful completion of the program.

Businesses that recently completed the 2024 program are listed below.

• Acumen Apparel
  Phoebe Lee, chief executive officer
  Customer service-focused company that offers modern uniforms, workwear and safety apparel that is both stylish and comfortable.

• Shariq Ali, founder and principal
  An architectural engineering firm specializing in building systems consulting, providing innovative solutions for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing), audiovisual and IT design for institutions and large corporate clients.

• Christian Hunter, founder and president
  A drone service provider that offers customized solutions in construction, real estate and media, and educates youth on drone technology.

• James Barnes, founder and president
  A comprehensive facilities management company providing a full range of building services, including janitorial, landscaping, painting, and more.

• Josh Maxwell, creative director
  Brendan Trewella, president

A full-service creative consultancy dedicated to crafting narratives and reimagining spaces or experiences that deliver growth, engagement and impact.

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About Cleveland Clinic
is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many , including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at . Follow us at News and resources available at 

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About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of more than 20 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, Taiwan National University College of Medicine and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on , and . For more information, visit .

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