KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 24, 2026

As the FIFA World Cup 26™ continues throughout the summer, host cities like Atlanta now find themselves stepping onto the global stage. Thanks to Kennesaw State University, MUST Ministries, the University of Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, and the Coca-Cola Company, the world will see much more than soccer when they look at Atlanta this summer; it will also see the power of community-driven entrepreneurship.

It will see stories of people like Sara Rose Davenport, who channeled her personal health struggles into a nonprofit that distributes art supplies as a tool for healing; David Blake, whose passion for martial arts led him to open his own studio; or MyEichia Jackson, who grew her small residential cleaning service into one that now accepts commercial contracts.

Kennesaw State University’s and MUST Ministries’ Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs (ACE) program has helped these entrepreneurs and many more transform their desire to improve their lives and the lives of others into successful, sustainable ventures.

The ACE Program is part of the national network of programs under the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI), housed within the McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs. ACE supports early-stage entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to build strong, sustainable businesses.

Inspired by the FIFA World Cup 26™, and as part of its commitment to economic empowerment, The Coca-Cola Company supports the UPBI as it expands its work through local institutions such as the ACE Program in Atlanta. The collaboration between UPBI and Coca-Cola means ACE and other programs like it across the country can continue to lift entrepreneurs and strengthen communities.

The Healing Power of Art

For Sara Rose Davenport, her entrepreneurial journey began during a time of personal struggle. After contracting COVID while working as a nurse’s assistant in 2023, she found herself suffering physically and emotionally. Making art lifted her spirits, and she imagined ways to help others benefit from the healing power of art. It was during her recovery that Davenport received an email inviting her into the ACE program’s inaugural cohort.

“It was very exciting and daunting at times because I realized there was so much that I didn’t know,” she said. “Everybody was very welcoming and they provided me with so much information.”

Through ACE, Davenport connected to mentors who taught her the importance of resilience.

“I learned not to become dejected when things don’t go exactly how you expect them to go,” she said. “The journey of entrepreneurship is full of unexpected surprises. Sometimes there are hurdles that you have to jump over and you have to adapt.”

Today her nonprofit, Comeback Kid Studios, provides essentials to people facing hardship: winter clothing, hygiene items and even art supplies, which Davenport views as critical for emotional healing.

“It gives this true sense of purpose and fulfillment to express yourself artistically,” she said. “I think everyone is an artist in their own right, and everybody should be creative and have access to art supplies. That’s our vision for Comeback Kid Studios.”

Changing the World One Black Belt at Time

For David Blake, entrepreneurship runs in the family. His mother owned a restaurant, and Blake always envisioned starting a business of his own. He also developed a lifelong passion for martial arts. Before joining the ACE program, he was working as an instructor for a local martial arts studio and teaching some classes independently in homes, schools, and daycares.

“I knew I wanted to go further,” Blake said. “That’s what brought me to the ACE program. I was looking for guidance on how to do that. I wanted to get some more information, meet some mentors, and make contacts to help guide me.”

The ACE program came at just the right moment. While Blake was enrolled in ACE, the studio owner decided to retire and offered him the chance to take over the business. ACE mentors taught Blake to secure financing, structure contracts, and manage operations. Critically, the ACE program taught him the importance of tracking metrics: something neither Blake or the previous owner had ever done.

“If you don’t have the numbers, you don’t really have a business plan,” Blake said. “You don’t have a solid foundation of what’s working, what’s not, and where is all your money coming from.”

Blake has since relaunched the studio as Royalty Martial Arts, focused on building confidence, discipline, and leadership. He also hopes to eventually open a nonprofit school for children in the foster care system.

“Now I’m able to have such a great effect on children’s lives,” he said, “helping build confidence, focused leadership, and discipline. We want to change the world, one black belt at a time. And it is all due to the ACE program.”

Accountability, Connectivity, and Encouragement

For MyEichia Jackson, she was already an entrepreneur before entering the ACE program but needed help taking her business to the next level. Her venture, Bird’s Eye Eco Cleaning Services, was built largely on trial and error. When she learned about the ACE program, she saw an opportunity to develop a plan that would allow her to grow intentionally.

“My biggest challenge was scaling the business and knowing about the opportunities, where they are, and how to get them,” Jackson said. “A lot of us jump out there and don’t know what to expect. When I saw their email that said, ‘we give you the 80 steps of successful entrepreneurship,’ I was like, ‘yes, I need that!’”

The ACE program bootcamp and consulting phases introduced Jackson to financial management, strategy development, and other elements of entrepreneurial thinking. It also helped her address real challenges, such as making improvements to her financial management system.

The impact was immediate. With new tools and confidence, Jackson expanded beyond residential cleaning into commercial contracts, dramatically increased her revenue by 600 percent.

Still a student in the program, Jackson encourages anyone thinking about starting a business to enroll.

“Being an entrepreneur doesn’t mean you know everything,” she said. “If you’re willing to learn, ACE is definitely the program for you. To me, it stands for Accountability, Connectivity, and Encouragement, because that’s what I get from it.”

Building Momentum

With The Coca-Cola Company’s continued support of the UPBI and its partner programs, ACE is empowered to continue advocating for entrepreneurs like Davenport, Blake, and Jackson. Coca-Cola's support has bolstered new initiatives like a pathway for entrepreneurs who were unable to complete the program to return, and a post-program coaching and professional development track to help graduates sustain and grow their ventures.

While the FIFA World Cup 26™ has turned the world’s attention to Atlanta, ACE and the UBPI are inspiring change that will last for years to come.