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Worcester group expands business reach: EforAll helps underrepresented individuals realize dreams of starting their own companies

By Jennifer Toland, Telegram & Gazette, November 23, 2020

 

During his 20 years as a director at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Ike McBride was a mentor, role model, coach and father figure to thousands of area kids.

In his new position as executive director of EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All) Greater Worcester, McBride continues to bring his passion, devotion and advocacy for the community that he has always called home.

“It was one of those moments,” said Elaine Vescio, director of entrepreneurship at Worcester State University and an EforAll Greater Worcester founding committee member who was among those who interviewed McBride for the position, “that once you just started talking, I could envision him in the role of (executive director). He’s been a part of Worcester. He has an outgoing personality. He’s been a coach. He knows how to bring people up and give them the confidence to do things.”

Since 2013, EforAll, a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts, has partnered with communities to help underrepresented individuals, with an emphasis on women, people of color, immigrants and those previously unemployed, successfully start businesses through free mentorship, education and networking.

EforAll Greater Worcester, which launched in September, is among nine EforAll programs in the state. In addition to Berkshire County, Cape Cod, Fall River/New Bedford, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn and Roxbury, EforAll also operates in Longmont, Colorado. Programs are available in both English and Spanish.