ABOUT BCSIA
Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator
Benedict College is determined to create opportunities for all South Carolina residents to pursue entrepreneurship by cultivating an innovation pipeline that touches each corner of the state. Through the BCSIA, the College ensures that early-stages companies have access to the necessary fiscal investments to kickstart their business ventures. As a strong and reputable anchor in the community with over two decades of economic development experience, Benedict College is uniquely qualified to offer this investment accelerator to the state.
What is an Investment Accelerator?
An investment accelerator is a program designed to accelerate the growth and development of startups or early-stage companies by providing them with access to capital, mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities.
Meet the Staff
Tracy Harrell Dunn, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Tracy Harrell Dunn, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dr. Dunn also serves as the dean of the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Benedict College. In her role as dean, she has created synergy between the academic and economic development units in the business school. In 2022, she founded the award-winning Burroughs Enterprise, Startup, and Technology (B.E.S.T.) Innovation Lab. In June 2023, the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab was awarded the Rising Star Award for Excellence in Student Engagement in Entrepreneurship at the Deshpande Symposium. In June 2024, the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab was named as a finalist in the category “America’s Most Impactful Initiative of the Year” by the 2024 ACEEU Americas Triple E Awards in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Currently, Dr. Dunn is the principal investigator for five (5) grants: EDA Build to Scale, NSF Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity, JP Morgan Chase|UNCF, the Howard University|PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship Innovation Grant, and VentureWell’s Course & Program Grant, totally $1.2 million. She is also an inaugural recipient of the Howard University|PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellowship.
Over the years, Dr. Dunn has received numerous awards for service and excellence from Benedict College. She holds a PhD and MBA from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she received a BA degree in German from Wofford College and a MS degree in Journalism from Boston University. Dr. Dunn currently serves on the board of directors for the National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable Board of Directors (president), Richland One Middle College (vice-chair) and InnoVision Awards (member).
- Email:tracydunn@bc-sia.org
Millicent B. Lann, MBA
Program Director
Millicent B. Lann, MBA
Program Director
Millicent holds a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Leadership/Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications degree.
Millicent passionately serves as a community activist through other service and community endeavors. She currently holds National and Local Outstanding Service and Leadership Awards, and she continues to hold appointed seats on Executive and Foundation Boards such as: SC Commission for Minority Affairs and SC NAACP State Conference. Milllicent is also one of the recipients for the 2024 Woman of Influence Award from the SC Biz News, 2024 Emerge SC Alumna, SC Women in Leadership member, and ForbesBlk. She is also an active member of the Columbia Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the SC Democratic Party.
Millicent is a 31-year member of the National Panhellenic Greek Organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated where she holds leadership roles as Undergraduate Advisor, and Grant Committee Chair, and State Coordinator for Sponsorships and Partnerships. She participates many of the sorority’s community outreach initiatives, providing humanitarian service and civic programs from local to international levels. By way of other nonprofit affiliations, Millicent currently serves and has overseen four other local organizations as the “President” where she is responsible for strategic and operational leadership/management, fundraising, training, recruitment, and marketing.
Millicent maintains a healthy work/life balance consisting of her outreach ministry, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and fulfilling her version of the ultimate pursuit of happiness. Her goal is to leave the world, her space, her community, better than it was when she found it. With an ambitious determination to educate, serve, share wisdom, build opportunities, pay it forward, and give back, Millicent Lann is a force to be reckoned with and has a heart with much to share. She lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her family.
- Email:millicentlann@bc-sia.org