Camden, NJ- Thursday, October 23, 2025- LAEDA celebrated their annual graduation ceremony for the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program and The Women’s Business Academy. The graduation was held at The Salvation Army Kroc Community Center in Camden, NJ. The graduating classes included the sessions from Fall 2024-Session 100, Winter 2025- Session 101 and Spring 2025-Session 102.

As the room filled with excitement to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s graduates, Raymond L. Lamboy, President & CEO of LAEDA, expressed his pride in each graduate’s hard work and dedication. He highlighted their achievements, reflected on their class sessions and seasons, and extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to LAEDA, Inc. professionals, Board Members, faculty, supporters, corporate and public partners, and individual donors for providing the resources and opportunities that helped these entrepreneurs reach their goals and position their businesses for success.

Following Mr. Lamboy’s opening remarks, the microphone was passed to Jonathan Young, Camden County Commissioner, Angel Fuentes, Camden City Councilman, and Jose Mercado, Board Chair and Board Member of LAEDA, each of whom shared inspiring words with the graduates.

Commissioner Jonathan Young congratulated the graduates, saying, “Congratulations to each and every one of you. I am looking forward to our conversations, and we are excited for each and every one of you.”

Councilman Angel Fuentes added, “Congratulations! We are proud of you, and your dream will become a reality because LAEDA is your mentor. The city of Camden and LAEDA want each and every one of you to prosper.”

Board Chair Jose Mercado encouraged the graduates to trust themselves and their resources, noting, “We hear the stories of your businesses, and it is wonderful to see the growth of your first ventures through LAEDA. Build your network, keep growing your business, and remember that LAEDA is part of that network. Think of your business as a marathon — you may stumble, but you get back up and keep running. Congratulations!”

Merfred Feliz, Special Programs Coordinator – Women’s Business Center, shared, “Students make LAEDA what it is today — its spark, its energy, its motivation. I want to invite you to Buy Camden First. Your success is our success.”

Buy Camden First Initiative, a partnership between the City of Camden and LAEDA, connects local businesses with anchor institutions and government procurement opportunities. Through BuyCamden1st.com, Camden Verified businesses can confidently access collective purchasing power, supporting small business growth and strengthening the local economy.

Jamila Powell, Program Director – Women’s Business Center, addressed the graduates, saying, “Each of you allows us to be part of your dreams. You trust us, and we celebrate your growth, potential, successes, and connections.”

She then welcomed the session representatives to the stage:

• Fall 2024 Entrepreneurial Development Training Program, Session 100: Candace Tatem
• Winter 2025 Women’s Business Academy, Session 101: Shakira Davis
• Spring 2025 Entrepreneurial Development Training Program, Session 102: Jennifer Ortiz

Candace Tatem reflected on her experience, saying, “Class 100 is not just a number — it is a milestone. LAEDA helps us sharpen our skills, build our foundation, grow our businesses, expand our knowledge, and make valuable connections. We learned to be better than we are today.”

Shakira Davis introduced each classmate in her session and emphasized that “connections, collaboration, and working together — both with each other as a community and with LAEDA — are vital and valuable. These are some of the key lessons we gained through our time in the classroom with LAEDA.”

Jennifer Ortiz reflected on her experience, saying, “LAEDA turned out to be so much more than a class — it was my mirror, my support. Asking for help is power, not a weakness. LAEDA reminded me that I am not alone. The instructors gave us more than knowledge — they gave us support and resources. We made sure we didn’t just dream; we lived. We came in as strangers, but left as a community. We came in with ideas and left with plans.”

Michelle Phillips, Program Support Coordinator, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to our dedicated instructors who shared their real-life experiences and gave our students the extra support they needed to move forward. Each of you brought insight, wisdom, and heart into helping our students pursue their dreams. Thank you for everything you do to support LAEDA’s training programs and for helping turn our students’ dreams into realities.”

Jiao Xu, Program Manager – Business Services Center, shared his appreciation, saying, “At this time, we would like to once again thank all of our instructors and introduce this year’s Instructor of the Year Awards. One is presented to Trina Allen, our Marketing Instructor, and the other to Megan Balne, our Business Law Instructor.”

Annabel Soto, Office Administrator, then invited the graduates to the stage to receive their certificates and take photos with the LAEDA staff. She shared, “These individuals have dedicated 75 hours to instruction. We all worked together as a team to set goals, stay focused, and prepare for this moment — graduation.” 

Sehrish Khan, Training Coordinator – Business Services Center, joined Annabel on stage and shared a heartfelt message with the graduates, saying, “Congratulations to everyone, and please stay connected — to each other and to us here at LAEDA.”

Raymond L. Lamboy, President & CEO of LAEDA, highlighted a major milestone, noting that in June 2025, LAEDA celebrated its 100th session of the nine-week Entrepreneurial Development Training Program. He encouraged the graduates to keep pursuing their goals, saying, “Think about your dream and keep working on it. Your success is our success — and remember to keep in touch with us.”

Katie Mayock, Assistant Program Manager – Women’s Business Center, shared the many ways graduates can stay engaged after completing the nine-week business training program. She said, “After this program, we offer alumni business counseling, networking events, and one-night seminars. We encourage you to join our alumni Facebook group page, LAEDA Alumni Connections, to stay in touch with one another. And don’t forget — our 5th Annual Pitch Competition with Citizens Bank is coming up!”

The night concluded with endless applause from the audience and pictures that captured these valuable moments.

LAEDA prepares entrepreneurs for the entrepreneurial world and the doors within LAEDA help toward building upon your goals and climbing those steps toward success one-step at a time because each step is valuable and essential in building that successful business venture and setting up a sustainable business. The classes teach students the building blocks of opening up and operating a business.

The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program and Women’s Business Center have graduated 1,523 students, created 679 businesses and created 1,835 jobs in the City of Camden and throughout South Jersey. LAEDA has been empowering people and revitalizing the community to start and grow businesses in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Atlantic and Cumberland Counties in New Jersey. If you are ready to become an entrepreneur and or business owner, Call LAEDA at (856) 338-1177 or visit us on the Web at: www.LAEDA.com for more information and to help you get started and going on your entrepreneurial journey.

Before the night ended all attendees enjoyed food from our alumna Aunt Berta’s Kitchen and the pictures of the evening were taken by another alumna, TeresArt Photography.