Hustle To Scale
Redefining the Black Founder Experience in Miami’s Overtown
The Film
Hustle To Scale is a short form documentary that showcases the journey of Black founders who intentionally chose to build their ventures in Overtown -- the once thriving economic epicenter of Miami’s Black community. The film chronicles their experiences with systemic barriers, access to financing, finding community and building a legacy as they each, in unique ways, redefine their hustle to scale.
Hustle To Scale exists to inspire others through the untold stories of Overtown’s resilient entrepreneurs and share insights for replicating a unique model of support in similar communities in the United States and around the world.
Redefining the Hustle to Scale
Dream it.
At a time where over 41% of black owned small businesses failed in the wake of the COVID pandemic, Miami remains a case study in black economic inequity: almost 25% of Miami’s Black population fall below federal poverty lines and 79% live with negative liquid assets and 37% have zero net worth.
Build it.
In its heyday, Overtown was celebrated as the “Harlem of the South” where jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker were lodged after performing in Miami Beach’s segregated nightclubs. After the interstate highway systems decimated this thriving black community and forced the relocation of upwards of 10,000 residents, it remains but a shadow of its former self.
“Power is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political and economic change.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Featured Founders
Jamila Ross.
Jamila Ross is the co-owner of Copper Door B&B. Along with her husband Akino West, she revitalized the once abandoned 22-room hotel in the heart of Historic Overtown. Jamila is breaking barriers and setting examples for the next generation of hospitality and F&B entrepreneurs.
NOTE: On August 31, 2021, Copper Door B&B permanent closed the doors on its Historic Overtown location.
Derrick Turton.
Derrick “Teach” Turton is the founder of World Famous House of Mac, a music and entertainment talent manager turned chef. His culinary creations, including the famed lobster mac-n-cheese, have found their way to screens across the country with stints on local news stations, the Today Show, Rachel Ray and features in Forbes. Chef Teach shares more about this passion and the journey through Overtown.
Trina Harris.
Ultrina “Trina” Harris is the owner of Suite 110 Urbanwear, a retail clothing store. Throughout her journey, she has battled bias, racism and the stigma of building a business in Overtown— particularly when seeking loans or financing from banks and other institutions. Trina details her struggles and digs deep into the roots of Overtown (the neighborhood she's called home since birth).
Denzel Currie.
Denzel Currie, CEO of HighTops Miami, is a former Teach for America educator turned startup entrepreneur who transformed his passion for sneakers into a professional sneaker cleaning business. Denzel’s family roots in Overtown fuel his passion to build alongside a community of peers, particularly in a community that has been neglected for far to long.
Nicole Gates.
On the brink of eviction and not knowing what the future had in store for Lil Greenhouse Grill, Nicole Gates and business partner Karim Bryant powered through a tough period. Despite frequent publicity, including a special visit from Oprah and features on ESPN and the SuperBowl, Nicole speaks to the complexities of doing business in a predominantly Black neighbourhood and why Overtown is special.
Andre Williams.
All Andre Soul Williams needed was a little confidence and support that has thrusted him into leading a premier community internet broadcasting company located in the heart of Overtown. Andre's story demonstrates how he's changing the narrative of Black business in Overtown.
Opportunity Connect
Each founder featured in Hustle To Scale is part of the Opportunity Connect — a place based entrepreneurship development network that seeks to break systemic barriers to economic mobility through a model that centers the individual needs of underestimated, BIPOC founders and provides wrap-around support.
During its initial pilot , Opportunity Connect attracted 36 business support partners, served 61 founders, facilitated over 750 hours of 1:1 consulting and training, launched a $50,000 (and growing) loan fund and measured $1,893,500 as the annual aggregate economic impact of at least 21 reporting businesses served.