27 January 2025 2 minute read
Mia Palmore (Class of 2027), the visionary founder of Cultivate has embarked on a mission to enhance the skills of aspiring leaders, helping them unlock the full potential of their endeavors. Cultivate is a skill cultivation and knowledge sharing platform, dedicated to support individuals with innate talents by providing them with structured support to elevate their capabilities.
Through a thoughtfully designed 12 week curriculum or semester long passion, project, participants engage in a transformative journey of personal professional growth. Whether someone is a gifted dancer or needing guidance to transform their art into sustainable business or an entrepreneur refining their brand, Cultivate offers the essential tools, mentorship, and community support to turn their visions into reality. A cornerstone of the program is the vision board exercise, an intentional practice encouraging participants to curate their dreams, using tangible physical media. This capsule serves as a reminder to embrace the highest potential And unique identity with confidence and certainty. The goal is to foster self-awareness, ensuring that when participants shape policies for their business, they align seamlessly with their core values and aspirations. Palmore herself embodies this philosophy as reflected in her personal affinity for collecting white and gold items— symbolic of her identity and aesthetic preferences.
The mentorship model at Cultivate is tailored to the unique needs of each participant and adapts to the evolving needs of its members. Ultimately, it fosters a dynamic and supportive environment, staying true to the overarching mission: to build a network of individuals committed to growth and excellence.
Palmore's inspiration for Cultivate stems from her deep seated purpose of connecting people and helping them recognize their true potential. Before her freshman year at swimming college, Palmore played a pivotal role in reviving Spelman's presence at the Black college expo. At the time, Spelman had not participated in the event for several years, but Palmore's efforts engaged over 350 young women and brought the institution back into the spotlight. These milestones solidified her commitment to not only creating opportunities, but fostering meaningful connections.
However, her journey was not without challenges. She encountered obstacles such as a cease and desist order which only strengthened “my resolve to provide access opportunities and comprehensive understanding to individuals beyond traditional audiences,” she recalls. Palmore firmly believes that growth and knowledge should not be limited to certain demographics, but should be available to all who seek it.
Palmore's decision to attend Spelman College was largely influenced by watching Beyonce‘s homecoming documentary. Inspired by the film celebration of Black excellence and culture, she began to see Spelman as the ideal environment to cultivate her ideas and turn them into actionable initiatives. Her work within the small community has created a ripple effect, inspiring many to pursue their passions with intention and purpose.
Currently a sophomore at Spelman, Palmore is majoring in mathematics with a minor in philosophy. In addition to our entrepreneurial pursuits, she is an active member of Spelman LadyBugs, a mental organization that focuses on empowering local youth girls to advocate for themselves and others.
Commitment to personal growth is further evident in her roles beyond Cultivate. Since June 2024, she has served as a data researcher and analyst for the City of Berkeley where she has been helping develop a service aimed at bridging language barriers between patients and medical professionals hospitals by providing real time translation. In this capacity, Palmore is responsible for securing donors and building a robust network to drive the platform success. Additionally, her experience as a logistics coordinator further honed her abilities in cross functional team, leadership and public speaking. “All of these experiences have equipped me with invaluable skills that I plan to continue to leverage in both our entrepreneurial and academic pursuits,” Palmore asserts.
Through Cultivate, Mia Palmore is not just fostering school development; she is creating a movement that empower individuals to embrace their identities, nurture their talents and build a legacy of impactful leadership.