Vanguard Development Collective

10/30/2026

After 14 years of living in Woodlawn and raising her family in the community, Vanguard Development Collective founder, Alycia Levels-Moore, began to see an opportunity to contribute to a neighborhood she knew personally.

Vacant spaces presented a possibility, not just for a new business, but for something that could bring together food, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity.

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After 14 years of living in Woodlawn and raising her family in the community, Vanguard Development Collective founder Alycia Levels-Moore began to see an opportunity to contribute to a neighborhood she knew personally. Vacant spaces presented a possibility, not just for a new business, but for somet...

10/28/2026

Good conversations, new connections, and fresh ideas! ⚡️ Last Thursday, we brought Birmingham’s entrepreneurial community together at Polaris Birmingham () for an evening of learning, networking, and sharing what’s working in business.

From insights shared by Teasha Cable, CEO of Cmodel, to lessons from Tiffaney Strayhorne and Tierra Jeter of Café Noir and Dr. Glinda Mauldin of A by G Therapy, the evening was a reminder that we don’t have to figure it all out alone.

10/26/2026

Capital access starts with connection. 🤝🏽 Vanguard Development Collective’s 4C Accelerator Capital Roundtable brought our participants and banking professionals together for meaningful conversations about financial resources, funding opportunities, and the tools available to help businesses grow.

Because building a business isn’t just about having the right idea. It’s also about knowing your options, asking the right questions, and building relationships that can open doors.

A heartfelt thank-you to the bankers and financial professionals who joined us, shared their expertise, and invested their time in our entrepreneurs. Your willingness to show up and share your knowledge makes a difference.

With the , we believe that when we connect entrepreneurs to the right resources and relationships, we create more opportunities for businesses to thrive and our communities to grow. That’s the power of bringing the right people to the table.

10/19/2026

You know that business idea you’ve been thinking about? That connection you’ve been meaning to make? 👀 This Thursday is a great time to get out, mix, mingle, and pour into your business!

We’re bringing entrepreneurs together for an evening of good food, drinks, new connections, and insights you can take back to your business. And trust us, you’ll want to be in the room!

👉🏽 Here’s what you can also look forward to:
• Record a quick 60-second promotional video for your business ($75).�
• Get a professional headshot ($75).

Both are optional, so feel free to come camera-ready if you’d like to take advantage of these opportunities!


📅 This Thursday, October 22
🕠 Doors open at 5:30 PM | Event: 6–8 PM
📍 Polaris Birmingham

Haven’t RSVP’d yet? There’s still time to save your spot: https://partiful.com/e/HF4oeHdRBkqFuVeHOTkj?c=3NEi_94N

10/15/2026

👉🏽 We’re just ONE WEEK away from bringing Birmingham’s entrepreneurial community together at Polaris Birmingham!

Join us for an evening of networking, food, drinks, and real business talk. Hear from Teasha Cable, CEO of Cmodel, as she shares tools to help you grow your business, plus get insights from local entrepreneurs Tiffaney and Tierra of Café Noir and Glinda Mauldin of A by G Therapy.

🔗 Join Us! LINK: https://partiful.com/e/HF4oeHdRBkqFuVeHOTkj?c=hI9wsKvK

10/12/2026

Launching a food business shouldn't require entrepreneurs to shoulder every financial burden on day one. 🌱 For that reason, provides accessible retail environments that allow food entrepreneurs to test, refine, and grow their concepts in a supportive setting before committing to the long-term costs of a traditional brick-and-mortar location.

By lowering the barriers to entry, entrepreneurs can focus on what matters most:
➖ Refining their products
➖ Understanding customer demand
➖ Building
➖ Strengthening their business model
➖ Growing revenue with confidence

Instead of asking entrepreneurs to take the biggest risk at the very beginning, accessible create space for learning, iteration, and sustainable growth.

10/08/2026

⚡️ Entrepreneurs, this Pre-Classic Mixer is for you! Ready to learn what’s working, discover new tools, and connect with other entrepreneurs?

Join us for an evening of networking, food, drinks, and real business insights featuring special guest Teasha Cable, CEO of Cmodel, who will share how entrepreneurs can use Cmodel to transform their businesses.

You’ll also hear directly from entrepreneurs including their success stories (feat. Tiffaney Strayhorne and Tierra Jeter of Café Noir and Glinda Mauldin of A by G Therapy).

Come ready to learn, connect, and leave with ideas you can put to work in your business. ⚡️

📅 Thursday, October 22
🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🕕 Mixer: 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Polaris Birmingham
*Food & Drinks while supplies last.


via Partiful: https://partiful.com/e/HF4oeHdRBkqFuVeHOTkj?c=sKIsKAl7

10/02/2026

A celebration of women, purpose, leadership, and the impact that happens when meaningful work is recognized. 💚

Our Founder, Alycia Levels-Moore, was honored at the Birmingham Business Journal’s with a Women to Watch award. This is a meaningful reminder that the work we pour into our communities truly matters.

The Women’s Summit brought together inspiring women and leaders from across Birmingham to celebrate accomplishments, connection, and the continued impact women are making in business and beyond.

We’re grateful to the Birmingham Business Journal () for creating a space that recognizes and celebrates women like Alycia who are committed to serving others and making a difference.

09/30/2026

“To win a Women to Watch award means a lot to me. You do a lot, and your goal is to help as many people as you can. Sometimes, in the hardest and toughest moments, you don’t really know if what you’re doing matters. So, in this moment, it was a little ‘wink’ that it does matter. That lives are being impacted.”

Alycia Levels-Moore shares that she could not be more thankful to the Birmingham Business Journal () for acknowledging the work she has the privilege of doing.

She continues:

“I would tell any woman who is working or doing things, especially when it gets hard, and you don’t know if it’s working… just remind yourself that you are built for this, that your life matters, and that what you are doing is important.” 💚

09/24/2026

For many food entrepreneurs, opening a brick-and-mortar location represents more than a milestone. It represents stability, visibility, and the opportunity to build lasting wealth. Yet for many early-stage businesses, getting there can feel out of reach.

The cost of commercial leases, equipment, renovations, staffing, inventory, and operating expenses often requires entrepreneurs to take on significant financial risk before they've had the opportunity to fully test their concept or build a loyal customer base. 🌱

Read More:

For many food entrepreneurs, opening a brick-and-mortar location represents more than a milestone. It represents stability, visibility, and the opportunity to build lasting wealth. Yet for many early-stage businesses, getting there can feel out of reach.