TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders gathered at Florida A&M University
\n this week for the 43rd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week, a multi-day event
\n designed to equip small business owners with the knowledge, resources and strategic
\n connections needed to thrive in today\u2019s evolving marketplace.<\/p>\n
Hosted by the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida A&M University,
\n the annual event brought together emerging entrepreneurs, established business owners,
\n corporate partners and community stakeholders for workshops, networking opportunities
\n and discussions centered on practical business growth.<\/p>\n
![\"Business](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_SBDC3.jpg\")
Business professionals connect during the Florida SBDC at FAMU\u2019s 43rd Annual Big Bend
\n Regional Small Business Week celebration, highlighting the power of collaboration,
\n entrepreneurship and regional economic development. (Photo by: Jasmine Mason, ItsMasonProductions)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis event provides the opportunity for networking and education,\u201d said Tangela Lofton,
\n regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center at FAMU. \u201cWe have
\n 13 workshops covering marketing, agriculture and technology development, leadership
\n development, and a wealth of information being provided to entrepreneurs to help them
\n scale and grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lofton said the week is designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of business
\n ownership.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery business and industry is unique,\u201d Lofton said. \u201cBut what we hope founders take
\n away is the confidence and understanding that they are part of a community that is
\n here to support their growth through business development, training and education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sessions focused on financial management offered guidance on budgeting, forecasting
\n and maintaining healthy cash flow\u2014critical factors in business sustainability. Marketing
\n workshops explored strategies for increasing brand visibility and customer engagement,
\n while cybersecurity discussions highlighted the importance of protecting digital operations
\n and customer information.<\/p>\n
Strengthening Community Partnerships<\/p>\n
Lofton said one of the event\u2019s greatest strengths is its ability to foster meaningful
\n connections across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn event like this brings the community together,\u201d Lofton said. \u201cWe have elected
\n officials, business leaders, local government and private partners, but most importantly,
\n we have entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n
That spirit of collaboration was reflected in formal recognition from local leaders.
\n On Tuesday, Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson, J.D., and Lofton accepted
\n proclamations from Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson and Commissioner Nick Maddox recognizing
\n the Florida SBDC at FAMU\u2019s 43rd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week and its
\n longstanding impact on economic development throughout the region.<\/p>\n
![\"Leaders](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_SBDC2.jpg\")
Leaders and community partners gather during the 43rd annual Big Bend Regional Small
\n Business Week celebration, recognizing the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs
\n across the region. (Photo by: Jasmine Mason, ItsMasonProductions)<\/p>\n
For returning attendees like Bryant Shaw, founder of Sovereign Roots, co-owner of
\n Halisi Africa and vendor coordinator for C-4 Outreach, the event remains a valuable
\n opportunity to connect and learn.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done so much with FAMU SBDC. They are huge in the community, and when they do
\n something like this, you just have to attend because you never know what you\u2019re going
\n to learn,\u201d Shaw said.<\/p>\n
Dana Dudley, executive director of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce, said
\n partnerships like these are essential to helping businesses succeed across the broader
\n region.<\/p>\n
![\"FAMU\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_SBDC4.jpg\")
Supporting entrepreneurs at every stage. Leaders and community partners came together
\n during the Florida SBDC at FAMU\u2019s 43rd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week
\n celebration, reinforcing a shared mission to connect business owners with the tools
\n and resources needed for success. (Photo by: Jasmine Mason \/ ItsMasonProductions)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love being able to connect new business owners, established business owners and
\n those trying to relaunch,\u201d Dudley said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what stage of business
\n they\u2019re in,we bring people together and provide the resources they need for success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also present were community partners like FAMU Federal Credit Union, which attended the event to connect
\n entrepreneurs with financial resources designed to support business growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here to let people know that we have small business lending available to support
\n local businesses in the community,\u201d said Jerry Clerveaux, CEO of FAMU Federal Credit
\n Union.<\/p>\n
Clerveaux said the credit union offers startup-focused small business lending aimed
\n at helping entrepreneurs establish a financial foundation while accessing initial
\n funding to launch or expand their operations. He added that the institution is also
\n preparing to launch additional financing initiatives supporting businesses in Griffin
\n Heights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overall benefit of being connected to the university is that we can provide support
\n for faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community,\u201d Clerveaux said. \u201cWe may be
\n small, but we offer a lot of options when it comes to lending, financial services
\n and being a supportive financial institution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence<\/p>\n
The week concluded with an awards luncheon recognizing four standout entrepreneurs
\n and businesses making a measurable impact across the region.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s honorees included:<\/p>\n
Small Business of the Year:\u00a0J.P. Moore Mortuary & Cremation, led by Jamarien Moore<\/p>\n
Community Champion of the Year:\u00a0Akbar Thomas Personal Injury Attorneys, represented by Mutaquee Akbar<\/p>\n
Innovative Business of the Year:\u00a0Legacy Greens \/ City Greens, led by Daniel Miranda<\/p>\n
New Startup of the Year:\u00a0Midtown & 3rd Restaurant and Lounge, led by Apryl Lynn<\/p>\n
The recognition highlighted the resilience, creativity and leadership that continue
\n to define the region\u2019s entrepreneurial community while underscoring the vital role
\n small businesses play in strengthening local economies.<\/p>\n
![\"Winners](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_SBDC6.jpg\")
The Florida SBDC at FAMU team poses following recognition during the 43rd Annual Big
\n Bend Regional Small Business Week celebration, honoring its leadership and lasting
\n impact on the region\u2019s entrepreneurial community.(Photo by: Jasmine Mason \/ ItsMasonProductions)<\/p>\n
Looking Ahead<\/p>\n
Lofton said the Florida SBDC at FAMU remains committed to helping business owners
\n access the resources needed to succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy message to business owners is that the Small Business Development Center at Florida
\n A&M University is here to provide no-cost services through consulting, research, training
\n and market research tools that give entrepreneurs the capacity and knowledge they
\n need to grow,\u201d Lofton said.<\/p>\n
![\"Networking](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1024x768_SBDC5.jpg\")
Networking and collaboration took center stage during the Florida SBDC at FAMU\u2019s 43rd
\n Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week celebration, where attendees connected
\n with experts and organizations committed to supporting small business success. (Photo
\n by: Jasmine Mason \/ ItsMasonProductions)<\/p>\n
For more than four decades, Small Business Week has served as a cornerstone event
\n for the region\u2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem, reinforcing FAMU\u2019s commitment to economic
\n empowerment, innovation and community advancement.<\/p>\n
Through the Florida SBDC at FAMU, the university provides aspiring and established
\n business owners with mentorship, consulting, training and strategic guidance designed
\n to strengthen local economies through small business success.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more information on how to get involved with the Florida SBDC at FAMU, click here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.sbdcfamu.org<\/a><\/p>\n Media Contact:<\/p>\n Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n