Daughters of Zion’s Entrepreneurship and Crime Intervention Saturday Masterclass Takes Crime Intervention in Shelby County to the Next Level
By Staff on March 2, 2025
MEMPHIS, TN – A Revolutionary Approach to Reducing Crime Through Economic Empowerment
Father Gregory Boyle, who has spent over 30 years helping former gang members in Los Angeles, lives by the motto “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” His experience shows that giving at-risk individuals employment and a purpose can literally save lives. This is a focus of Daughters of Zion as well.
Crime among 18-to-35-year-olds isn’t just a law enforcement issue—it’s an economic crisis. This past Saturday, Daughters of Zion took a bold step in tackling this epidemic at their Entrepreneurship and Crime Intervention Masterclass, providing 57 SEDI entrepreneurs with the tools to not only build businesses but also to mentor and employ young adults at the highest risk of economic despair and criminal activity.
What is a SEDI Entrepreneur?
A SEDI entrepreneur is a business founder who comes from a Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual background. In U.S. policy terms, this means someone who has faced systemic barriers to economic opportunity – for example, limited access to credit or capital due to factors like racial or ethnic bias, gender, veteran status, disability, or living in an underserved community. Entrepreneurs in this category often hail from communities that have been historically marginalized or underserved. By starting and growing businesses, SEDI entrepreneurs not only pursue their own success but also bring economic activity to areas that need it most.
Significance in Economic Development: SEDI entrepreneurs play a crucial role in broader economic development. By building businesses in underserved neighborhoods, they create jobs and services where few existed. This inclusive approach to growth taps into a huge well of talent and untapped markets. In fact, a U.S. Minority Business Development Agency analysis found that if minority-owned businesses (one major segment of SEDI entrepreneurs) reached parity – i.e. grew to a share of the economy proportional to their share of the population – they would employ an additional 14 million people in America. That astonishing figure highlights how much potential lies in supporting disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Every new SEDI-led business can mean more jobs, higher incomes, and revitalized local commerce, fueling a cycle of growth.
Daughters of Zion’s event wasn’t just another seminar—it was an economic intervention, an innovative strategy that could redefine community-based crime reduction in Shelby County. By teaching participants how to scale their businesses, secure funding, and hire at-risk individuals, Daughters of Zion is pioneering a sustainable model to disrupt the cycle of poverty and crime.
Entrepreneurs Leading the Charge for Change
Among those in attendance was Tangela Jones, owner of Oak’s Notes, who was deeply moved by the insights shared.
“Kimberly Adams blessed me and did a phenomenal job, and Natalee gave great information,” said Jones, reflecting on the wealth of knowledge presented.
Other business owners echoed similar sentiments, recognizing the Masterclass as not just a business accelerator but a lifeline for communities struggling with economic instability.
“This Master Class helps not only my business, it helps me as a person. I transform my mindset, my perspective, as a professional business owner. It Builds character.” Kim Byrd
From Outreach to Action: The Impact is Immediate
Daughters of Zion’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Kesha Jones, described the energy in the room:
“No one wanted to leave. They were very enthusiastic. It was an amazing event.”
That enthusiasm is what makes this initiative unique—it creates immediate action. Entrepreneurs left not only with strategies to grow their businesses but also with a mission: to create opportunities for young people before they see crime as their only option.
Entrepreneurship as a Crime Intervention Strategy
This event challenges the traditional methods of crime prevention, proving that economic empowerment is the most effective crime deterrent.
- Financial independence keeps young adults away from criminal activity
- Employment provides stability and community engagement
- Mentorship fosters accountability and professional growth
By bridging the gap between economic opportunity and crime intervention, the SEDI Entrepreneurs of Shelby County are now on the frontlines of a movement that has the potential to transform entire communities.
A New Era for Shelby County’s Economic Future
The Masterclass was a powerful step in reshaping the economic landscape of Shelby County. These entrepreneurs aren’t just building businesses—they’re building legacies, breaking cycles of poverty, and creating sustainable pathways to success.
Daughters of Zion has set the standard for what crime intervention should look like in 2025—not just law enforcement and incarceration, but economic empowerment and generational wealth-building.
As SEDI Entrepreneurs take what they’ve learned and apply it to their businesses, the ripple effect will be undeniable—fewer young people turning to crime, more communities thriving, and a future where entrepreneurship is the key to safety and stability.
This is not just a business class. This is an economic and crime intervention revolution.
To reach Daughters of Zion for assistance or any of its programs call 24/7 901-260-9933.
Attendees
Daughters of Zion -Community Entrepreneurship Training & Crime Intervention
March 1, 2025
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