Eastern Florida State in Melbourne will Host the Bernard Simpkins Entrepreneurial Speaker SeriesEastern Florida State College (EFSC) is gearing up to host a transformative event for the community’s future leaders. The EFSC EmpowerU: Explore Next College & Career Symposium is set to take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, promising a dynamic day of inspiration, networking, and practical guidance. To register in advance, CLICK HERE.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Eastern Florida State College is gearing up to host a transformative event for the community’s future leaders featuring a live virtual keynote address and Q&A session with legendary coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer’s insights on leadership and success are expected to be a major draw for students seeking a competitive edge in their future careers.
This EFSC EmpowerU: Explore Next College & Career Symposium is scheduled for Friday, April 17.
Located at the EFSC Melbourne Campus (Bldg. 16), the event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is specifically designed to bridge the gap between education and the professional world for high school and college students.
Urban Meyer is a 3X National Champion college football coach. Meyer will deliver a live virtual keynote address and Q&A session. The EFSC EmpowerU: Explore Next College & Career Symposium is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026. (Image: Captain Teebs)
The event is made possible through a collaborative effort by Brevard Public Schools, 321Empowerment, and the Bernard Simpkins Entrepreneurial Speaker Series.
Notably, the Simpkins series has been bringing the nation’s top business innovators to EFSC since 2001, continuing a legacy of entrepreneurial excellence.
There is tremendous excitement leading up to this event. 321Empowerment founder, Ray Herring II, described it, saying, “This should be a great event for Brevard County students to find opportunities.
Ray Herring II (pictured) is the founder of 321Empowerment, one of the organizations involved with this event. When talking about EFSC EmpowerU, Herring said, “This should be a great event for Brevard County students to find opportunities.”
EmpowerU isn’t just about listening; it’s about active preparation. The program features:

College & Career Fair: Connect directly with vendors and educational representatives.

Scholarship Recognition: Celebrating student achievements through presentations from 321Empowerment and the Simpkins Series.

Networking: A boxed lunch will be provided, offering a casual setting for students to connect with community partners and peers.

The symposium offers five targeted breakout sessions designed to provide practical “real-world” advice:

Making College Affordable: Navigating the financial side of higher education.

Adulting 101: Mastering the essential power of soft skills.

Interview & Resume Skills: Polishing professional presentations.

FL Direct Connection Options: Exploring streamlined paths to further education.

Support in College: Learning about the resources available to ensure student success.

This event is a unique opportunity for Brevard County students to take charge of their future. Interested attendees can find more information and register by scanning the QR code on the official event flyer.
Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) is gearing up to host a transformative event for the community’s future leaders. The EFSC EmpowerU: Explore Next College & Career Symposium is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026, promising a dynamic day of inspiration, networking, and practical guidance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.