FAMU’s Small Business Week Connects Entrepreneurs with Tools, Resources and Opportunity
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders gathered last week for the 43rd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week, a multi-day event designed to equip small business owners with the knowledge, resources and strategic connections needed to thrive in today’s evolving marketplace.
Hosted by the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida A&M University, the annual event brought together emerging entrepreneurs, established business owners, corporate partners and community stakeholders for workshops, networking opportunities and discussions centered on practical business growth.
Business professionals connect during the Florida SBDC at FAMU’s 43rd Annual Big Bend
Regional Small Business Week celebration, highlighting the power of collaboration,
entrepreneurship and regional economic development. (Photo by: Jasmine Mason, ItsMasonProductions)
“This event provides the opportunity for networking and education,” said Tangela Lofton, regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center at FAMU. “We have 13 workshops covering marketing, agriculture and technology development, leadership development, and a wealth of information being provided to entrepreneurs to help them scale and grow.”
Lofton said the week is designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of business ownership.
“Every business and industry is unique,” Lofton said. “But what we hope founders take away is the confidence and understanding that they are part of a community that is here to support their growth through business development, training and education.”
Sessions focused on financial management offered guidance on budgeting, forecasting and maintaining healthy cash flow—critical factors in business sustainability. Marketing workshops explored strategies for increasing brand visibility and customer engagement, while cybersecurity discussions highlighted the importance of protecting digital operations and customer information.
Strengthening Community Partnerships
Lofton said one of the event’s greatest strengths is its ability to foster meaningful connections across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“An event like this brings the community together,” Lofton said. “We have elected officials, business leaders, local government and private partners, but most importantly, we have entrepreneurs.”
That spirit of collaboration was reflected in formal recognition from local leaders.
On Tuesday, Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson, J.D., and Lofton accepted
proclamations from Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson and Commissioner Nick Maddox recognizing
the Florida SBDC at FAMU’s 43rd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week and its
longstanding impact on economic development throughout the region.
Leaders and community partners gather during the 43rd annual Big Bend Regional Small
Business Week celebration, recognizing the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs
across the region. (Photo by: Jasmine Mason, ItsMasonProductions)
For returning attendees like Bryant Shaw, founder of Sovereign Roots, co-owner of Halisi Africa and vendor coordinator for C-4 Outreach, the event remains a valuable opportunity to connect and learn.
“I’ve done so much with FAMU SBDC. They are huge in the community, and when they do something like this, you just have to attend because you never know what you’re going to learn,” Shaw said.
Dana Dudley, executive director of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce, said partnerships like these are essential to helping businesses succeed across the broader region.
Supporting entrepreneurs at every stage. Leaders and community partners came together
during the Florida SBDC at FAMU’s 43rd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week
celebration, reinforcing a shared mission to connect business owners with the tools
and resources needed for success. (Photo by: Jasmine Mason / ItsMasonProductions)
“We love being able to connect new business owners, established business owners and
those trying to relaunch,” Dudley said. “It doesn’t matter what stage of business
they’re in,we bring people together and provide the resources they need for success.”
Also present were community partners like FAMU Federal Credit Union, which attended the event to connect entrepreneurs with financial resources designed to support business growth.
“We’re here to let people know that we have small business lending available to support local businesses in the community,” said Jerry Clerveaux, CEO of FAMU Federal Credit Union.
Clerveaux said the credit union offers startup-focused small business lending aimed at helping entrepreneurs establish a financial foundation while accessing initial funding to launch or expand their operations. He added that the institution is also preparing to launch additional financing initiatives supporting businesses in Griffin Heights.
“The overall benefit of being connected to the university is that we can provide support for faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community,” Clerveaux said. “We may be small, but we offer a lot of options when it comes to lending, financial services and being a supportive financial institution.”
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence
The week concluded with an awards luncheon recognizing four standout entrepreneurs and businesses making a measurable impact across the region.
This year’s honorees included:
- Small Business of the Year: J.P. Moore Mortuary & Cremation, led by Jamarien Moore
- Community Champion of the Year: Akbar Thomas Personal Injury Attorneys, represented by Mutaquee Akbar
- Innovative Business of the Year: Legacy Greens / City Greens, led by Daniel Miranda
- New Startup of the Year: Midtown & 3rd Restaurant and Lounge, led by Apryl Lynn
The recognition highlighted the resilience, creativity and leadership that continue to define the region’s entrepreneurial community while underscoring the vital role small businesses play in strengthening local economies.
The Florida SBDC at FAMU team poses following recognition during the 43rd Annual Big
Bend Regional Small Business Week celebration, honoring its leadership and lasting
impact on the region’s entrepreneurial community.(Photo by: Jasmine Mason / ItsMasonProductions)
Looking Ahead
Lofton said the Florida SBDC at FAMU remains committed to helping business owners access the resources needed to succeed.
“My message to business owners is that the Small Business Development Center at Florida
A&M University is here to provide no-cost services through consulting, research, training
and market research tools that give entrepreneurs the capacity and knowledge they
need to grow,” Lofton said.
Networking and collaboration took center stage during the Florida SBDC at FAMU’s 43rd
Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week celebration, where attendees connected
with experts and organizations committed to supporting small business success. (Photo
by: Jasmine Mason / ItsMasonProductions)
For more than four decades, Small Business Week has served as a cornerstone event for the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, reinforcing FAMU’s commitment to economic empowerment, innovation and community advancement.
Through the Florida SBDC at FAMU, the university provides aspiring and established business owners with mentorship, consulting, training and strategic guidance designed to strengthen local economies through small business success.
For more information on how to get involved with the Florida SBDC at FAMU, click here: https://www.sbdcfamu.org
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
