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Minority women businesses energized at first IGNITE! Alabama

BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Hundreds of minority business owners gathered Wednesday for the inaugural IGNITE! Alabama event at Regions Field hosted by Sheila Tyson, Convener of the Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable and Nichelle Nix, Director of the Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs. The event focuses on minority women business owners, entrepreneurs and Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCUs) and steps to empower Alabama’s next generation of leaders.

Published

5 years ago

October 28, 2019

Oakland Post

Nichelle Nix, (left) Director of the Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs and actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, celebrity guest speaker. (Photo by: Erica Wright | The Birmingham Times)

By Erica Wright

Hundreds of minority business owners gathered Wednesday for the inaugural IGNITE! Alabama event at Regions Field hosted by Sheila Tyson, Convener of the Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable and Nichelle Nix, Director of the Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.

The event focuses on minority women business owners, entrepreneurs and Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCUs) and steps to empower Alabama’s next generation of leaders.

“Our goal is to actually help women start their own business, promote women and give them a way to advance their own business and bring in all of the resources from the state of Alabama for minority women and this is a great opportunity for us to do that through this partnership,” Tyson said.

Nix said the state has an initiative that focuses on HBCUs “to promote and increase the economic impact of [the institutions] in the state of Alabama. We have 14 HBCUs here and we want to serve as a model to the nation to show that we can come up with a comprehensive strategy to make our HBCUs more competitive.”

The daylong event included an HBCU president’s round table followed by a luncheon and panel discussions and celebrity guest speaker, actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable, the youngest child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. There was also a Minority and Business Resource Expo and an HBCU Business Pitch Competition and a show featuring Alabama State University and Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University drumlines.

During the luncheon, the first panel discussion focused on getting started in business and access entrepreneurship resources.

Dr. Del Smith, Dean of the School of Business and Public Affairs at Alabama A & M said that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to start in a classroom.

“Not to take anything away from the professors but when we talk about entrepreneurship, we’re talking about something that really cannot be taught from a book,” he said. “We encourage our students to go out into the community to take part in the entrepreneurial ecosystem like pitch competitions; when we have an entrepreneurial networking event, we encourage students to get out of the classroom and take part in that… when you combine that along with classroom education that provides the greatest opportunity for a student to be successful.”

Dr. Theresa Welbourne, of EDGE Tuscaloosa, which helps entrepreneurs with startups, talked about the need for business owners to participate in workshops which are important “because you’re always being questioned and people are asking ‘what do you do’ and asking about your business,” she said.

The second panel focused on access to capital options for small minority business owners.

Kendra Key, with Hope Credit Union, said her business has made a commitment to lend primarily in underserved communities.

“Our mission is to build assets, strengthen communities and improve lives,” she said. “Everything that we do every day is to facilitate greater economic mobility so we provide affordable access to capital . . . we are committed to give $19.1 million in loans over the next three years to minority and women-owned businesses. We also provide financial literacy… we exist to be a partner in communities of color.”

Lawanza Webb, with the Jefferson County Workforce Development Center, discussed apprenticeships programs.

“We have an apprenticeship program where we pay a certain amount of money and train… we also offer up to $20,000 for two years for a client that wants go to training and we have Jefferson State and Lawson State Community Colleges that are participating in this program where we pay for tuition, books, fees and all the student needs but support services.”

Following the panel discussions, Pulliam discussed her journey as an actor and an entrepreneur.

She heads her own nonprofit organization, Kamp Kizzy, which focuses on empowerment and building self-esteem of youth. She recently released her own line of meat and poultry seasoning, Keshia’s Kitchen and hosts her own podcast, Candidly Keshia.

She encouraged the audience to never give up on their passions.

“When you are doing something that you love, you never feel like you work a day in your life,” she said. “When you’re working hard, when you’re dedicated, you are going to get ‘no’s’, you are going to hit speed bumps and you are going to get ‘not right now’ but it only takes one ‘yes.’

Pulliam said she knows about following her passions.

“I have been working for 40 years, I turned 40 in April and my first job was at nine months old in a Johnson and Johnson ad with the first black family, I was the little naked baby, but that is where I got my start,” she said. “A lot of people are not fortunate to discover what their passions are or what it is that they’re supposed to do at a young age where I was fortunate enough to begin my career at nine months old.”

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org