CLEVELAND, Miss.— Delta State University is pleased to announce the opening of the first Women Minority Business Development Center (WMBDC)— the largest single expansion of business development for women entrepreneurs across the state of Mississippi, with a concentration in the Mississippi Delta region.
Under the auspice of the College of Business and Aviation at Delta State and with support from a $1.5 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation, the WMBDC will play a pivotal role in positioning women-owned business owners for success as they continue to grow and recover.
“The WMBDC will provide aid to our service area’s minority women-owned entrepreneurs, allowing countless female small business owners to have an opportunity to grow their business with confidence and to stay afloat during the pandemic, as well as help new minority women business owners start on the right track,” said WMBDC Director Gene Finley.
Among the Center’s first events will be its “Financial & Capital Access for Women of Color Small Business Owners Conference” scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Jacob Conference Center, located in Ewing Hall on Delta State’s campus.
Presenters will include representatives from the Mississippi Development Authority, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Hope Enterprises. Exhibitors from local banks and community development financial institutions will also be available on-site.
Individuals can register for the conference through Oct. 29 by e-mailing kcoleman@deltastate.edu.
By widening the financial and technical access for female minority entrepreneurs and small businesses, the WMBDC will enhance efforts of the existing network of services offered by the Delta State University College of Business and Aviation, such as the Delta State’s Business Assistance Center (BAC). Over the past several months, the BAC has provided services, including business planning, financial literacy and COVID-19 resources to underserved minority businesses and women-owned small enterprises.
“Adding this new Women Minority Business Development Center to the already existing network of services offered by the Delta State University College of Business and Aviation will boost timely business resources to our region as well as providing them with local resources and technical counseling,” said Dr. Billy Moore, dean of Delta State’s College of Business and Aviation.
DSU’s WMBDC will provide a network of services, including one-on-one counseling, training, networking opportunities, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring on business development topics such as business startup, financial management, marketing and procurement.
“Opening the doors to the first Women Minority Business Development Center in this area is crucial to the vitality of minority women small business owners,” said Moore. “WMBDC will provide female entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start, grow and expand their businesses. The WMBDC looks forward to the anticipated success of its programs and services as it contributes to the overall health of our economy and creates jobs in our local communities.”
To learn more about the DSU WMBDC, visit www.deltastate.edu/wmbdc or call (662) 846-4908.
