The Big Bad Business (BBB) Workshop Series continues on April 10, 2025, with a special session: Mississippi Development Authority’s Minority & Women-Owned Small Business Workshop. This free event is designed to help small business owners understand the resources available to them at the state level, with a focus on support for minority and women-owned businesses.
Hosted by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the Oxford-Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, and the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Initiative, the event will take place at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, located at 299 W. Jackson Avenue in Oxford. Parking is available in the rear of the building, accessible from Washington Avenue.
The evening kicks off with a cocktail hour from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, offering attendees a chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs over refreshments by Redrick Rayborn of JR Crickets Catering, a new local catering business. This networking meetup is the perfect opportunity to meet others on a similar journey, form one-on-one connections, and find potential collaborators. Whether you’re looking for guidance, partnerships, or just a supportive community, the cocktail hour is a chance to expand your network before diving into the workshop. Attendees will also have the opportunity to chat with the expert speakers before their presentations begin.
From 6:00 to 8:00 pm, the workshop will feature two specialists from the Mississippi Development Authority. Dr. Latonia Lewis, Business Development Bureau Manager, will discuss business development, community outreach, minority participation initiatives, and loan programs. Gernika Collins, Business Certification Program Manager, will share insights on business certification, state-funded loan programs, and marketing strategies for small businesses. They will walk attendees through key state resources designed to help business owners grow and sustain their ventures.
To get the most out of the workshop, attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop, as the speakers will help guide everyone through available resources in real-time. This hands-on approach will ensure that business owners leave with actionable next steps and access to the tools they need.
The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Online registration closes at 12:00 pm (noon) on April 10, so early sign-ups are encouraged. For questions or accessibility needs, email outreachyac@gmail.com.
The Big Bad Business Series is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
link to the registration: https://www.oxfordarts.com/shop/product/5964-BBB41025
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1325895895333008/
