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.
Currently, Dr. Dunn is the principal investigator for four (4) grants: EDA Build to Scale, NSF Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity, JP Morgan Chase|UNCF, and the Howard University|PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship Innovation Grant, totally $1.2 million. She is also an inaugural recipient of the Howard University|PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellowship and a part of the team that championed the $15,000,000 state-funded Initiative for Quantum Computing.
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-elect), 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 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 for non-profit organizations the SC York Rite Foundation, the South Carolina Conference NAACP, and a member of the SC Women in Leadership, and ForbesBlk. Millicent is also expected to be a part of the 2023-2024 Class of Emerge South Carolina. 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 and she participates in the International Service Program, Z-Hope, which provides humanitarian service and civic programs to all communities served. By way of her Masonic Affiliations, Millicent currently serves as the “President” over three of the six Women’s Auxiliary Masonic Houses where she is responsible for strategic and operation leadership/management, fundraising, training, recruitment, marketing, and business development.
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