The Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator and, thus the proposed Alumni Initiative, has an embedded racial equity lens to address the needs of high-need populations in Richland County. This includes women and BIPOC entrepreneurs. The mission of the Accelerator is to create opportunities for all South Carolina residents to pursue entrepreneurship by cultivating an innovation pipeline that touches each corner of the state. It is in alignment with the institution’s mission which states, “Benedict College is committed to providing transformative learning experiences characterized by high quality academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programming, intentionally designed to develop superior cultural and professional competencies for a diverse student body.” The College values excellence, accountability, collaboration, professionalism, transparency, and diversity (in people and thought). The institution seeks to provide an unsurpassed, student-centered learning experience to a globally diverse student body led by engaged, thoughtful, culturally competent faculty and staff. Moreover, the College’s guiding, 5-year strategic plan, B2: Focused on the Future, lists “Success of Our Students – Students First” as the number one priority. This priority specifically addresses our most vulnerable students or those considered high need. They are supported through a comprehensive student support model that is specifically tailored to their unique needs.
Millicent Lann is a multifaceted lead consultant, accomplished life with extensive experience as a business strategist, strategic collaborator, business developer, entrepreneur, consultant, and community activist and philanthropist. She has impacted many lives, businesses, and organizations with her innovative and engaging leadership acumen and style. She is a visionary with a track record of inspiring and mobilizing others to achieve extraordinary results. Millicent serves as the Program Director for the Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator and is the co-lead the program’s grant budget of $1million, from the Build to Scale Initiative. Additionally, she has secured over $160,000 in funding for non-dilutive grants and programs for the programs cohort participants and alumni.
Millicent holds a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Leadership/Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications degree. Previously she served as a certified faculty member with the University of Phoenix utilizing her 27+ years of professional experience in areas of: Business Development, Leadership/Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education and Training and, Marketing, non-profit fundraising/fund development.
As Chief Dream Aficionado (owner) of DreamMakers Consulting Group, she guides the organization’s mission to empower individuals (dreamers) pursuing strategic business endeavors. DreamMakers Consulting Group began January 2017, with an initial vision to help to help create as many African American female millionaires as possible. In this endeavor, she began with 4 Dreamers who have been successful in achieving their business goals. The initial objective of the group has been expanded to helping anyone who has a vision/dream that needs help making it a reality in areas of strategic, operational, and event planning, assisting with P a g e | 2 Millicent Lann Biography writing business plans, resource development, and any other professional services to assist a Dreamer to reach their visionary goals.
Millicent passionately serves as a community activist through her ministries, Masonic, Sorority philanthropic and service outreach. She currently holds National and local Outstanding Service and Leadership awards. Millicent was named as a Woman of Influence 2024, Emerge SC Graduate, and is currently in the Palmetto Leadership Academy/SC Electric Cooperative Leadership Programs. She has also held and continues to hold appointed seats on Executive and Foundation Boards for non-profit organizations, with tenures that span over decades to include SC York Rite Foundation and South Carolina Conference NAACP, a member of SC Women in Leadership, and ForbesBlk.
Millicent is a 31-year member of a National Panhellenic Greek Organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, incorporated which represents the cornerstones: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. This International organization has chapters on College and University campuses, as well as post graduate membership for women, locally and globally. Through this sorority, Millicent participates in the International Service Program, Z-Hope, that provides humanitarian service and civic programs to all communities served. Other engagements include Chair of Grant Committee, Zeta State Coordinator for Partnerships and Sponsorships, legislative matters, voting initiatives, healthcare accessibility March of Dimes, Minority Health Outreach, Micha Speaks- Autism awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness, Storks Nest, Domestic Violence, and more.
Millicent maintains a healthy work/life balance consisting of outreach ministry, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and fulfilling the pursuit of happiness through her quest to make all things around her, a better world to engage in. Her personal mantra is to live by three core principles: to know her Purpose, know her Priorities, and always know her Place. 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.