Budding entrepreneurs and small business owners will soon have the opportunity to be in the room and learn from business heavy hitters and way-makers at the inaugural NEXT Generation Business Summit presented by Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
The summit kicks off on May 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Tony Rand Student Center, located at 2201 Hull Road.
Summit speakers include Jessica Jones, Co-owner, Becoming Counseling Services; Chris Dixon, Street Footwear Designer; Adriel Hortiales-Lynch, Owner, Opulence Productions; Kwame Molden, Co-Founder/President, SPCBK Watches; J’Kwan Fulmore, Owner, Er’body Eats; Derrick McArthur, Economic Development Manager, City of Fayetteville; and Eric Anderson, Founding Partner, Black Label Access.
There is a full day planned for attendees, along with some fun and food to break up sessions. Camille Little, Fayetteville Next Commissioner, explained what attendees can expect at the summit, “In the morning we will have a Workforce Development session. In that session, we will talk about, for those who want to participate, how to create a resume, what to do for a job interview, how to fill out a job application online, and then how to interview. So that will be the morning portion. In the afternoon we’ll have a lunch and mix and mingle, we’ll have food vendors outside and a DJ… then in the afternoon we have extraordinary entrepreneurs who are in the Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission.”
Those interested in attending the summit can register online https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=200440037. The summit is free.
Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young adults through targeted event programming and community outreach initiatives, making Fayetteville a “desirable place to live, work and recreate” for this generation (https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-council/boards-and-commissions/fayetteville-next-commission).
Jonelle McLeod, Director of Programs for the Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission, said, “Work, Stay and Play in Fayetteville is our tagline. So we are trying to host events… and community outreach that the community would like to take part and be a part of…we truly have a lot to do here.”
“We are targeting our demographic, 19-39. The goal of our commission is to keep those individuals here in Fayetteville to Work, Stay, and Play in Fayetteville. If you’re going to Work, Stay, and Play in Fayetteville, you got to have somewhere to work,” Little remarked on the goal of events like the Next Generation Business Summit.
“The small business sector is experiencing significant growth, and there is a rising demand for guidance, resources, and tools to enhance branding and operational success. We are hosting this summit to provide individuals and entrepreneurs with opportunities for professional development, helping them to expand and flourish in their ventures,” explained Xavier DeBrough, Events & Outreach Chair for the Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission.
DeBrough and the other commission members are excited about the event they have planned. “Attendees can expect to gain in-depth, beyond surface-level knowledge and valuable insights into entrepreneurship and professional development. Our objective is to empower individuals to achieve gainful employment and operate successful businesses. With strong support from the City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and supporting organizations such as the Mid Carolina Workforce Development Board, we are confident in our ability to reach these goals,” remarked DeBrough.