Mayor's Jumpstart Academy

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Mayor's Jumpstart Academy: Build Credit & Start Your Business!

The MJA Sixth Cohort Is Underway

 

Mayor Keith A. James, center, with the 11 members of the MJA Sixth Cohort

Mayor Keith A. James, center, with the 11 classmates selected for the sixth cohort. All classes are being held at the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches in downtown West Palm Beach.

Major Keith A. James welcomed alumni and the 11 businessmen and businesswomen selected for the Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy sixth cohort at a kickoff reception Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in City Hall.

MJA Graduates Tonia Rich, owner of Rose Trolley and Twawanna Teal, owner of TJSpot, with her daughter

MJA Graduates, Tonia Rich, owner of Rose Trolley, with Twawanna Tea, owner of TJ Spot, and her daughter.

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Mayor Keith A. James, Jumpstart Academy founder, addresses the gathering

MJA Founder, Mayor Keith A. James, welcomed the sixth cohort class and MJA graduates

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Representatives from Related Ross joined these kickoff with budding entrepreneurs. Related Ross donated to help launch the careers.

Related Ross representatives were on hand to support new business owners. Support from the business community is essential to the success of MJA.

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Rose Trolley owner Tonia Rich rode the MJA class to success

Rose Trolley owner Tonia Rich rode the MJA class to success

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Success story: Kaitlynn Kenney talks about her MJA journey as MJA

Success story: Social Media consultant Kaitlynn Kenney talks about her journey as MJA Coordinator Charlotte Wright captures the moment

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Visionary Mayor Keith A. James listens from the doorway as MJA graduate Delroy Lowe speaks about launching his successful beekeeping and bee removal service

Visionary Mayor Keith A. James listens from the doorway as MJA graduate Delroy Lowe speaks about his success

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Michael Zeff, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, and Charlotte Wright, MJA Coordinator

Chamber of Commerce President Michael Zeff with MJA Coordinator Charlotte Wright. The Chamber is hosting MJA classes.

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MJA Dean, Charlotte Wright, right, and ladies listen to speakers at the Sixth Cohort kickoff

Ladies are listening as Mayor James talks MJA

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MJA Graduates, new cohort members and families had plenty to dine on at the kickoff

The sixth cohort kickoff included a buffet dinner.

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Jumpstart 2024

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Lean more about the Mayor's Jumpstart Academy by viewing the video from the 2024 session.

Mayor Keith A. James developed the Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy (MJA) to provide underrepresented and under served communities with credit building and entrepreneurship training. Cohort members who successfully complete the program may access pathways to additional city services and supports. In partnership with the Urban League of Palm Beach County, Justine Petersen and the Co.Starters network, MJA will help starters go from an idea to a business in 90 days.

Every business, every corporation - large or small- started with a dream. The Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy combines credit building with the Co.Starters 10-week, cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all backgrounds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn dreams into reality. Participants enter into a facilitator-led, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of 10 like-minded peers. During the 10 (ten) 2.5-hour sessions, cohort members develop and fine-tune their ideas using the Co.Starters Canvas, by critically examining every component and determining next steps through real-time feedback from in class mentors, guest speakers, and coaches.  

Participants will leave the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business, articulate their models, and repeat the process with the next great idea. Successful participants will receive up to $5,000 to start or grow their businesses.

 

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and give your business a boost? Join our mailing list to learn about MJA and our next cohort.

 

MJA Graduate Teaches the Art of Cooking at GreenMarket

Tyrell Russell, MJA Graduate and owner of the Kookie Box,
Thrills Children in Cookie-making Class 

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