When Jabrille Brown moved from Dallas, Texas to Danville in 2022, she brought with her a lifelong dream: to create a space where people could gather, laugh, and connect. That vision became reality with Sundae School Selfie Studio, an interactive space filled with...
Yvonnia Bryant
Laura Brent
When life didn't go according to plan, Laura "Muff" Brent found her path to entrepreneurship in an unexpected place – her kitchen. After stepping away from her 22-year counseling career to homeschool her twins in 2018, she struggled to re-enter the workforce despite...
2024 Annual Report
CIC Celebrates 13 Years of Empowering Small Business Growth The Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) is proud to share our 2024 Annual Report, showcasing another year of meaningful impact across Central and Southern Virginia. Over 13 years, CIC has deployed more...
Ciearia Alexander
When Ciearia went on maternity leave with her fourth child in early 2024, she found herself contemplating life beyond her regular job. Drawing from her experience planning birthday celebrations for her children, she recognized a persistent challenge many families...
Robin Criscuolo
“The blueprint for the rest of your life is formed in the early years.” Robin Criscuolo’s belief in education is founded in her own upbringing in rural Virginia. Her passion for exploration and early childhood education led her to create Robin’s Nest — an...
Maya Hairston
Maya is pictured in the middle. In February 2023, Maya Hairston launched LabeledLex with a clear vision – creating affordable, high-quality handbags for those who appreciate luxury but can't always afford premium designer brands. Today, her business stands as a...
Happy 2025! A message from our President
Dear CIC Community: I am pleased to announce key additions and changes to Community Investment Collaborative's leadership team as we begin 2025. These changes strengthen our ability to serve entrepreneurs across our regions and reflect our continued growth and...
Melissa Hill
Melissa Hill capturing photos for another CIC Grad, Harley Gentry, Wiley's Street Food Every photograph tells a story, and for Melissa Hill, that story is about perseverance, self-discovery, and the power of capturing human dignity. What began as a childhood...
2023 Annual Report
Our 2023 Annual Report is here! Discover the impact we made together last year, be inspired by the stories of local entrepreneurs, and see how we’re fueling small business success. If these stories resonate with you, we encourage you to share with a friend and...
Renata Miller
Renata Miller carries a piece of everywhere she’s been and everything she’s done within her. A deep connection to her Brazilian culture and a willingness to create beautiful memories anywhere inspired her to create Viva la Nosh, a booming boxed tea-time business...
