Propeller Announces 2012-2012 Social Venture Accelerator Fellows

Propeller (formerly SENO) today announced twelve new fellows for their annual Social Venture Accelerator class.  The program is a ten month business accelerator focused on both non-profit and for-profit companies that aim to solve social challenges.

According to Andrea Chen, Propeller’s Executive Director, last year’s nine fellows, “generated an economic impact of 40 new jobs and $2.2 million in external financing and revenues; in addition, Fellows’ social impact ranged from increased economic opportunity for local farmers to blight reduction and increased housing for teachers.”

 2012-2012 Propeller Accelerator Fellows

AMPS
AMPS designs, builds, and operates aquaponic and hydroponic farms that sustainably grow greens and other vegetables, onsite for grocers, educational institutions, and community groups. AMPS recently announced a rooftop farm at the Rouses in downtown New Orleans and an installation at the Hollygrove Farmer’s Market. The founders are Douglas Jacobs & Kevin Morgan-Rothschild.

Birthmark Doula Collective
Birthmark Doula Collective, led by Latona Giwa and Dana Keren, supports, advocates for and empowers women and families by providing birth and postpartum doula services, teaching classes and providing access to water birth.

BreakOUT!
BreakOUT! organizes LGBTQ youth who are directly impacted by the criminal justice system for concrete policy changes to build a safer and more just New Orleans. The organization was founded by Wesley Ware.

Derrell Talent
Derrell Talent, run by Ashley Cash & Dustin McMahon, increases diversity in the public education leadership pipeline by providing direct coaching, skill development, and networking opportunities for educators of color at points where they are most likely to leave the field.

The Fine Arts & Wellness Center
The Fine Arts & Wellness Center is a community cultural center devoted to providing access to arts enrichment and improving the mind and body of all who live, work, worship, and attend school/programs in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans. Latoya Cantrell & Emily Wolff are the fellowship recipients.

Gay It Forward
Gay It Forward, run by Kevin Farrell & Nicholas Vivion, is a locally-driven gay tithing movement that builds a strong, healthy and supportive LGBT community through a series of events and online discussions that pairs funds with those in need.

Global Health Services
Global Health Services provides oral health care services to disadvantaged children and senior residents of New Orleans by Dr. Yaye Fatou Sarr.

Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana (JAC)
JAC’s mission is to tackle deficiencies in the post-conviction phase of the criminal justice system while creating a supportive and collaborative space for attorneys and advocates. The organization was founded by Ameca Reali and Adrienne Wheeler while the two women were in law school.

Louisiana Lost Lands Environmental Tours
Louisiana Lost Lands Environmental Tours, run by Marie Gould and Lindsay Pick, provides educational boat and kayak tours to show and teach visitors and policymakers the beauty and destruction of the Louisiana coast.

Nola Tilth
NOLA Tilth is a flower and community supported agriculture farm utilizing vacant and blighted land to provide the residents of New Orleans with healthful produce and beauty. NOLA Tilth was founded by Megan Webbeking.

VEGGI Farmers Cooperative
VEGGI Farmers Cooperative, the product of  Daniel Nguyen & Khai Nguyen works with local Vietnamese farmers to sell and market local produce to restaurants and markets in the New Orleans area.

The Well Integrative Medicine, Sarah Mason & Arwen Podesta:
Using a team approach, The Well Integrative Medicine unites psychiatry, primary care, behavioral health, and evidence-based complementary medicine (i.e. massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutrition), housed in a space specifically designed to foster wellness, and support healing. The Well was founded by Sarah Mason and Dr. Arwen Podesta, and the organization won first place at the 2011 PitchNOLA elevator pitch competition.