Assisting and empowering local women are the goals of the Women's Business Center of Fayetteville at the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development.

Since 2022, the WBC's #HERFayetteville events have aimed to empower women through mentorship, education, networking and collaboration. All events are being organized by the Women's Business Center of Fayetteville.

Efforts to celebrate #HERFayetteville 2024 focus on "Heart, Equality and Resilience" and commemorate the March observances of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. Each day consists of virtual and in-person events.

In a 2023 Up & Coming Weekly interview, CEED Executive Director Suzy Hrabovsky shared her excitement for # HERWEEK's return.

"This is a week-long celebration of what women have done, what they can do, celebrating each other and coming together. So often, we hear negative things about women's empowerment, but this is just an inclusive, celebratory pat on the back and a time just to be happy and excited about what we've done and to continue to move forward and take a little time to catch our breath," Hrabovsky said.

The March 2-8 events have specific themes correlated as hashtags; as attendees go or participate in an event, they are encouraged to use the hashtags for their social media posting. Here is an overview of what to expect for #HERWEEK 2024.

Day One: Sat., March 2
#HERMoney; #HERWheels Car Show; #HERBeauty and Wellness
#HERWEEK Fayetteville starts its debut day in 2024 with a trifecta of tempting choices.
• In partnership with Cumberland County Public Libraries, the WBC brings the Financial Literacy Community Library Tour to town for the #HERMoney focus.
• Next, the center joins with wellness co-op Blissful Alchemists and the Southern Lux Sistas With Jeeps club to showcase some amazing jeeps and cars at the #HERWheels Car Show. The event features vendors, a kid's area, wrenching workshops, trophies, guest speakers, and more.
• Blissful Alchemists also sponsors the #HERBeauty and Wellness expo. A health and beauty extravaganza with over 40 vendors, the event offers essentials tailored to the wellness needs of women.

Day Two: Sun, March 3
#HERSpirit
• This virtual event focuses on spiritual wellness and women empowerment and what that means for women seeking balance and spirituality in their everyday lives. Register and receive updates from sessions with life coaches Dr. Patrice Carter and Cammy Kennedy.

Day Three: Mon., March 4
#HERService
• Through this virtual event, the WBC proudly highlights the female workers supporting the community as firefighters, EMS workers, teachers, police officers and military personnel.
"We've done a bunch of interviews with different women in the community, from teachers to veterans to women who are firefighters, women who are at the 911 station, just women doing different services in our community," Hrabovsky said of #HERService in the same interview.

Day Four: Tues., March 5
#HERImpact and #HERPitch
• The Greek Hellenic Center at 614 Oakridge Ave., in Fayetteville, is the host site of the 2024 #HERImpact and #HERPitch programs, featuring brunch, a motivational program and the WBC's business pitch competition where numerous Fayetteville women will vie for the chance to win grants of up to $2,500 per pitch. The WBC aims to assist socially and economically disadvantaged females in starting and expanding small businesses.

Day Five: Wed., March 6
#HERBusiness
• The fifth day of #HERFayetteville is about having fun while business networking. The citywide Business Scavenger Hunt encourages citizens to visit various business locations — a list will be available — to take photos and post the images online, tagging the businesses and the WBC's social media pages. Participants receive a point for each visit to go toward points in a media raffle.

Day Six: Thurs., March 7
#HERSafety
• Silhouettes Firearms Training, 1165 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake, invites the women of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to its first #HERSafety Sip & Equip event. Attendees will engage with Silhouettes Firearms Training owner and personal safety consultant Andréa Williams as they delve into the world of personal safety.

Day Seven: Friday, March 8
International Women's Day 2024
#HERSports
• By collecting inspiring testimonials from local women's sports affiliates — management, team and female players — the WBC shows its support of the women in the sports industry and Fayetteville's new semi-professional soccer team, Fayetteville Fury. Sign up to listen in!

To find information on #HERWEEK Fayetteville event fees and to register, see https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/herweek-fayetteville-3095349.