Yelitsa Jean-Charles of Healthy Roots Dolls was awarded $25,000 as recipient of Main Street Ventures first winner of the Wendy S. Lea Female Founders Grant.
Healthy Roots Dolls is the creation of Rhode Island School of Design and Venture for America Fellow Jean-Charles. A lifestyle brand, it develops and sells dolls and companion books that instruct on natural hair care, as well as clothing and a curl care kit.
“Receiving this award is another step forward for black female founders and another opportunity for young women to see themselves in me,” Charles told Cincy Inno. “To see the possibilities that exist for them to achieve great things.”
The award was created to honor former Cintrifuse CEO Wendy Lea, who departed from the position last March. The grant will receive matching funds from The Robert A. and Diane J. McDonald Family Foundation, and will be given annually to a startup or small business in the Greater Cincinnati Region. To qualify, the startup must have first-time female founder or founders and includes female ownership of 51 percent or more.
Beyond this criteria, judges chose winners from startups with a passion and drive that echoes the entity's own values.
“Healthy Roots was chosen for a Main Street Ventures grant because the company and its founder embody so many aspects of the Main Street Ventures’ mission,” said Main Street Ventures CEO Pete Brown said. “Yelitsa Jean-Charles is a motivated entrepreneur whose company is leading positive social change. She is champion for growing the diversity and experience in Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem.”
Jean-Charles said that she plans to use the funds for an as-unnamed partnership later this year.
In a Healthy Roots Dolls newsletter, she added that, "Wendy is one of the biggest inspirations I had early on in Cincy and I appreciated any moment she took to listen to my half-baked ideas and offer wisdom."
This isn't the first award for Healthy Roots Dolls. In 2018, the company received $100,000 worth of professional services from Durham-based advertising agency McKinney, the event’s co-sponsor.
As for the grant, Brown said it will continue to bolster area innovators.
“Main Street Ventures is committed to empowering female entrepreneurs in Cincinnati and the initial Wendy S. Lea Female Founders Grant is an exciting milestone,” he continued.“I’m excited to keep building partnerships and expanding our impact.
Editor's Note: Jean-Charles was named to Cincy Inno's "25 Under 25" list, and Healthy Roots Dolls made its 2018 "Startups to Watch" roundup.
