Fayetteville
March 4, 2025
RESCHEDULED FROM FEBRUARY 20
Join Carolina Small Business Development Fund this March as we gather in Fayetteville to celebrate North Carolina's strong ecosystem of Black entrepreneurs.
This exciting event will feature networking opportunities and panels that will highlight the work of Black farmers and Black veterans and their impact on North Carolina's small business ecosystem!
March 4, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tony Rand Student Center
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2220 Hull Road | Fayetteville, NC 28303
Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Hosted By:
Speakers
Welcome
Dr. Mark Sorrells
Dr. Mark A. Sorrells serves as the President of Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). Previously, he was the Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Services where his responsibilities included coordinating over 86 programs of study, corporate and continuing education, as well as student services and academic supports available to the more than 30,000 students.Prior to coming to FTCC, Mark was the Senior Vice President at the Golden LEAF Foundation (GLF). Serving as the Chief Operating Officer, he led statewide workforce and education grant initiatives of the GLF Board of Directors and served as Chief Operating Officer for the $1.2 billion foundation. Previous employment included working as the executive director of a statewide non-profit and teaching in the NC Community College System.
Welcome Panel
Moderator -- Kevin Dick
Kevin Dick began as President & CEO with the Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF) in February 2020 after decades of professional experience working in economic, community, and workforce development at the local government level. He leads a team of 40 full-time employees and has accountability for a $22m+ loan portfolio with $37m in assets under management. Since joining CSBDF, Kevin has helped to bring about a resurgence of the organization as a community and economic development entity with a statewide focus. During his tenure, CSBDF has deployed over $40m in capital and provided loans, grants and technical assistance to over 2000 North Carolina-based small businesses from primarily underserved communities.
Mayor Mitch Colvin
Mayor Mitch Colvin, a native of Fayetteville, has a passion for helping to improve the city and its citizens. He was first elected in November 2017, and he is the city’s longest-serving African-American mayor. He is currently serving his fourth term. Prior to being mayor, he served two consecutive terms as a City Council member for District 3 and as Mayor Pro Tempore from 2015-2017. In 1995, he assumed the operational leadership of Colvin Funeral Home, Inc. and still leads the operation today. Mayor Colvin’s vision is to help Fayetteville prepare for the future by building a viable workforce, investing in infrastructure, and expanding the city’s connection to the global economy. He is a graduate of John Tyler Mortuary College and Fayetteville State University and is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. In 2017, he was appointed to Gov. Cooper’s Crime Commission and in 2019 received the HBCU Living Legend Award.
Rep. Frances Jackson, PhD
Representative Frances Jackson, PhD, is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 45 serving parts of Cumberland County. A former middle school teacher, adjunct professor, and transit planner and from Fayetteville, Jackson has served on the Appropriations Committee, MIlitary and Veterans Affairs Committee, State Government Committee, and Transportation Committee during her time in office. Jackson holds degrees from North Carolina A&T University, Fayetteville State University, and Walden University, where she earned her PhD in Public Policy and Administration.
Veteran Panel
Moderator -- Mark Royster Jr.
Mark Royster Jr. serves as a Senior Vice President and the Chief Credit Officer at Carolina Small Business Development Fund. He spearheads the execution of key strategic organizational goals and initiatives, while simultaneously overseeing the organization's lending and credit operations. Mark's extensive experience spans both regional and community banks. A proud United States Marine Corps veteran, he brings a strong work ethic and proven leadership qualities to his role.
Eric Stevenson
Eric Stevenson is a retired US Navy veteran with 20 years of distinguished service and a dedicated advocate for veteran entrepreneurship. Eric previously worked at Fort Bragg under the Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program, ensuring service members had access to critical resources needed to successfully tranisition into civilian careers. As the founder and CEO of Madison Consulting Firm, Eric specializes in entrepreneurial development, digital marketing, and business consulting, helping small buinesses and startups scale through innovated strategies. He is a certified Ice House Entrepreneurship Program facilitator. Eric is also the CEO of Evuitton, a veteran-owned electric transportation company. Eric is also a cinematographer, producing commercials, short films, documentaries, social media content, and storytelling pieces for businesses and nonprofits.
Scott Dorney
Scott Dorney has served as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) since December 1, 2004. An entity of the State embedded in our community colleges (with 17 offices statewide), the NCMBC is a unique business development and technology transition organization that grows the defense economy by expanding federal contracting and supporting retention of transitioning military personnel and recruitment of defense contractors to North Carolina. Since opening in January 2005, the NCMBC supported businesses across the state in winning over 6,006 contracts for not less than $18 billion, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the State of North Carolina. Originally from Allentown, PA, Scott graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC in May 1977. He also earned a Masters in International Affairs Degree from Columbia University in New York, NY in 1988.
Agriculture Panel
Moderator -- Glenn Adams
Glenn Adams was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners as a District 1 representative in 2014. He also serves on a number of Boards, including the Fayetteville State University Board of Trustees. He is a graduate of the NC Central School of Law and NC State University. He also attended Oxford University and is a member of the Cumberland County Bar Association, where he served as president from 2001-2002. He is also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and Fayetteville Area Minority Lawyers Association. He is a Senior Partner with Adams, Burge and Boughman, P.L.L.C. He is the recipient of numerous professional awards including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and the North Carolina Black Lawyers Association Lawyer of the Year.
Tadashi Totten
Tadashi Totten, District 6 Field Representative and current YF&R Team Leader has worked for NC Farm Bureau since 2015. Tadashi has been on the YF&R team since 2015 working with diverse YF&R’s as well working with the Collegiate YF&R programs at NC State University, NC A&T State University, and University of Mount Olive. Tadashi also served on the NCFB Safety Team working with various safety projects as well as safety committees across the state. Tadashi is a graduate of NC A&T State University with a both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Agriscience Education. Tadashi has also served as an Adjunct Instructor for the Agriscience Education Program at North Carolina A&T State University. Strongly committed to youth and youth development, Tadashi works extensively with organizations that work with youth to ensure that all youth have equal opportunities to participate in positive youth development educational programming. Tadashi has a strong passion for agriculture.
Ricardo Murphy
Ricardo ‘Rico’ Murphy serves as the Director of FTCC’s Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business. He holds an M.B.A. from Capella University and is a graduate of Fayetteville State University. He previously owned a used car dealership and currently owns an ice cream truck business, Cooler Than Cold, LLC. As a small business owner with a diverse portfolio and over a decade of experience, Murphy has hands-on expertise in startups, management, human resources, marketing, grants and funding, profit and loss analysis, and other critical aspects of business operation. Coupled with his customer service skills, ability to build strong relationships, and unwavering commitment to the community, he is an asset to Cumberland County.
Bryant Kennedy
Bryant Kennedy serves CSBDF as a Business Solutions Officer, serving the Triangle region. He brings a background in banking and financial services, with previous experience as a small business banker and financial adviser. Bryant is a native of Goldsboro, NC.
