Women for Women International has a famous slogan that it abides by in its mission to move women around the world from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. They believe, “By investing in women, we create a better world for all of us – a world that’s more equal, peaceful, and prosperous.”
It is a sentiment that Theresa Randleman, founder of The T. Rose Foundation, embraces. The organization’s mission is to reach youth, primarily girls, early in their social developmental years to promote positive self-esteem and self-image.
Providing support in personal development through social etiquette, health and wellness, and life skills; advancing a sense of self-mastery while building a meaningful relationship with their personal and professional gifts and talents, embracing entrepreneurship and leadership as future leaders and courageous changemakers.
Through her foundation, Randleman has successfully sponsored the Annual Girlpreneur Expo; a forum that provides female entrepreneurs ages 18 and under the opportunity to showcase their craft and attend workshops teaching the foundation of entrepreneurship and business plan development.
She lends her philanthropic support to the I A.M. H.E.R. (Influencing, Achievement, and Maximizing, Hope, Excellence, and Resilience) for the young ladies of the Abeadeze Kyeakor Village in Ghana, Africa. And she has helped to increase awareness of the educational, judicial, and societal disparities faced by African-American girls through her support, panel discussions, and promotional viewings of PushOut: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools.
Recently, Randleman and the T. Rose Foundation expanded its partnership with Comerica Bank for several small business spotlight events in Jackson and Battle Creek.
Comerica Bank Vice President and External Affairs Market Manager Hasaan Melhem notes, “This effort is to highlight local businesses and provide business information providing a platform to recognize businesses in the community.”
The events featured an onsite interview and speaking session with participating business owners, a welcome and presentation from the Comerica team on the community work, and solutions offered for small businesses that included volunteer collaborations between Vice President and Senor Banking Manger Retail Jessica Thomson, Vice President Small Business Banking Lee Hotchkiss Melhem.
Randleman notes that she is committed to her passion for empowering youth and assisting in the development of their sense of self-mastery as they build meaningful relationships with their gifts and talents, embrace their natural beauty, and step into their journey as future leaders and courageous change makers.
She adds that her commitment has brought forth several awards from local and national organizations; her most recent and prominent award is the President Biden Lifetime Achievement Award; previously she was awarded for Business Excellent and Career Mastered Leadership; to name a few.
- Rose Foundation’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy has provided numerous children across the state of Michigan to showcase their business ideas and Comerica proudly offers them valuable information on how to make their ambitious dreams come true.
From 2020-23, the Comerica Charitable Foundation has supported the Young Entrepreneurs Academy with grants totaling $22,500. This year’s financial support more than doubled that with $25,000 in funding to support the nonprofit.