September 2025 | See What's Happening at RIBBA

Greetings!

We are excited to highlight our upcoming events and programs designed to support Rhode Island small businesses, communities, and professionals.

Join us for our Fall Business Expo this Saturday, September 20th, from 11 am to 3 pm at RIBBA's Hub in Providence, RI. This free event offers excellent networking opportunities, vendor showcases, and resources to help your business grow. There will be free backpacks filled with school supplies, plus, DJ Cam Bells will be there to keep the energy up, and Inner City Hair Design will be providing free haircuts for the kids! Don't miss out on this exciting day of community and connection.

Applications are open for our statewide Emerging Leaders Development Program, designed to provide participants who live or work in Rhode Island with additional knowledge, skills, and tools they need to advance. Additionally, our Skill Up Program is now accepting applications from Pawtucket residents in the early stages of their careers.

Share these exciting opportunities with your network and keep reading to learn more about what's going on at RIBBA! ↓

Business Development Updates

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of our Young Adult Business Pitch Competition!

The energy was high at our Young Adult Business Pitch Competition last month! Held at our Hub, this inspiring event brought together bold, young entrepreneurs from across Rhode Island who pitched their big ideas. We are proud to announce our 2025 winners:

🥇 1st Place: Joahluis Molina, That Junk Removal Company

🥈 2nd Place: Vedjee Belin, Vee Natural Care

🥉 3rd Place: Joely Ilarraza, All Things Tropical

Congratulations to all the finalists, and thank you to our expert judges, David Ferreira with Bristol County Savings Bank, Carlos Vargas from Navigant Credit Union, and Cynthia Scott, our former board chair, who brought the idea to life. We appreciate the community members who were in attendance to support the next generation of business owners.

Need Business Support?

Read Full Press Release

Join us for JoRo's Grand Opening on Friday, September 19th at 4 PM

RIBBA is proud to announce and celebrate the grand opening of JoRo, a fine dining Liberian restaurant and lounge located in Providence’s historic Federal Hill area at 114 Spruce Street. This new addition to the city’s food and nightlife scene highlights the power of RIBBA’s mission—helping entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality by providing access to capital, technical assistance, and trusted guidance.

Founded by brothers Joel and Roland, seasoned hospitality professionals with over 13 years of experience and a love for music, JoRo was born from their dream to blend authentic Liberian cuisine with a sophisticated dining and lounge atmosphere. With RIBBA’s support—including $13,000 in funding for kitchen and bar equipment, web design services, marketing services, and hands-on technical assistance—the duo transformed challenges into opportunities and brought their dream to life.

The grand opening celebration will take place on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 4:00 PM to late at 114 Spruce Street, Providence. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, remarks from community leaders including Mayor Brett Smiley, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and an unforgettable evening of food, music, and celebration. We invite community members, media, and supporters to join us in celebrating this milestone!

Don't Miss our Fall Business Expo!

Join us for the Fall Business Expo this Saturday, September 20th, from 11 am to 3 pm at RIBBA's Hub, located at 220 Smith Street in Providence, RI. This exciting event is open to all and free to attend.

Kids will enjoy free haircuts, and DJ Cam Bells will be spinning! Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or community member, you will enjoy vendor showcases, networking, and refreshments.

Legal Services Clinic

As part of RIBBA’s Learning Series , join us for an informative legal clinic on Tuesday, September 30th from 5:30 pm - 7 pm at our Hub, where we will explore important topics, including the differences between contractors and employees, common Rhode Island tax issues and effective solutions, and key guidelines on when to file your taxes. Don't miss this opportunity to clarify your legal and tax questions with expert advice.

RIBBA Small Business Clients: Share Your Experience to Help Us Serve You Better

We would greatly appreciate your participation in a brief survey. Your feedback will help us understand your progress over the past year, assess the support you have received from RIBBA, and identify any challenges you are facing so we can assist you.

Let your voice be heard! Your input is invaluable to us. Your responses will guide us in improving our programming and services to meet your needs, which is essential to demonstrating our positive impact on your business and the state's economy. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. We look forward to better serving you.

Submit Your Feedback

Attention Providence, RI residents and business owners!

If you are a resident of Providence, RI, and a business owner, we are here to empower you and help your business thrive. Whether you are starting, looking to boost your growth, expand, or revive your business, our services are open to all — no matter where you are in your business journey.

Our services include:

Personalized One-on-One Business Support & Counseling
Marketing & Branding to elevate your visibility
Website Design & Digital Tools to modernize your operations
Credit & Financial Health Assessments to build financial resilience
Business Planning Strategies tailored to your growth stage
Access to Capital Resources and guidance on funding readiness
Networking Opportunities with local entrepreneurs and resource providers

Apply Today

Workforce Development Updates

Skill-Up Program Designed for Pawtucket, RI Residents

Applications are open for our new Skill-Up Program — designed to empower individuals ready to elevate their careers! The RIBBA Skill-Up Program is specifically designed for residents of Pawtucket, RI, who are in the early stages or at the entry level of their professional careers. The program aims to equip participants with the essential tools and confidence necessary to secure meaningful employment.

Here's what you will gain:

Soft Skills: Communication, leadership & teamwork, adaptability, self-reflection, problem-solving, professionalism, and confidence building.
Hard Skills Training: Clifton Strengths Assessment, negotiation techniques, emotional intelligence assessment, public speaking, and professional presentation.
Job Search Strategies: Resume building, networking, leveraging online tools, LinkedIn training, and goal setting.

Participation is free, thanks to funding from the city of Pawtucket.

Apply Now

Applications are open for our Emerging Leaders Development Program

There's still time to apply! Ready for that push to take your career to the next level? The Emerging Leaders Development Program is a 7-month cohort-based program designed to provide participants who live or work in Rhode Island with additional knowledge, skills, and tools they need to advance their careers. Share this opportunity with those in your network.

The application deadline is Friday, September 19, 2025.

Apply Now

Organizational Updates

You are Invited!
Tickets for our Annual Awards Gala are now available.

Join us as we celebrate 15 years of empowering Rhode Island’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals at our premier black-tie fundraising event.

Date: Friday, November 7, 2025

Time: 6 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, RI

Our signature event sold out last year, so we encourage you to secure your tickets or full table early! If you have any questions about tickets, donations, or partnerships, contact us at info@ribba.org. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Buy Tickets

Interested in Making an Impact?

RIBBA is currently seeking dedicated Board Members to support our mission of closing the wealth gap in Rhode Island through initiatives centered on small business development, financial empowerment, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. We particularly invite candidates with expertise in human resources, accounting, tax, and marketing to contribute their skills and insights. As a nonprofit organization, we value committed members who are eager to actively engage in shaping our strategic direction and advancing our organizational goals.

Apply Today

Are you seeking ways to elevate your business or career to the next level?

Join RIBBA and become a part of a community dedicated to supporting Rhode Island's small businesses, career professionals, and families.

Whether you are an individual or student looking to connect with like-minded professionals, a small business seeking increased visibility and support, or a corporate entity interested in investing in the local economy, we have a membership option that is right for you. Make a difference and join RIBBA today! Fill out the application by clicking the button below to become a member.

Becoming a Member: Unlock Exclusive Benefits

As a member, you will gain access to a range of benefits, including:

The Hub: Our state-of-the-art coworking space is available for rent, perfect for entrepreneurs, remote workers, freelancers, and small business owners.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and thought leaders in your industry through exclusive events and workshops.
Resources to Thrive: Stay ahead of the curve with access to expert advice, industry insights, and valuable tools to help your business grow and succeed.

Become A Member

Key Links

Hosted by Bank Forward RI in partnership with community organizations across Rhode Island.

Searching for the Perfect Space to Host Your Next Event or Meeting? Whether you are a nonprofit needing a consistent meeting spot, a business organizing a training session, or a community group seeking a friendly space, we have exactly what you need. Plus, RIBBA members can take advantage of exclusive discounted rates! Learn more, book a tour or submit a request to rent a space today .

Explore Careers in Banking! Join us for Bank Forward: Career Connect on Tuesday, September 23, from 4 PM – 7 PM at CCRI’s Liston Campus in Providence. Click here to register.

This free event connects job seekers with:

Hiring managers from local banks offering pre-qualifying interviews
Career-building workshops on resumes, networking, and more
Direct pathways into a rewarding banking career

Stay Connected with RIBBA Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube for updates, exclusive content, and more. We love hearing from you. Join our community and be part of the conversation!

If you are a Rhode Island professional in the STEM, design, healthcare, or teaching professions and have student loan debt, you could be eligible to receive up to $6,000 per year in refundable tax credits for up to four years to help defray that debt burden.

Learn more: https://wavemaker.commerceri.com/