Fayetteville
March 4, 2025
On March 4, 2025, we gathered at Fayetteville Technical Community College to celebrate North Carolina's dynamic, vibrant ecosystem of Black entrepreneurs. We heard from local elected leaders on a Welcome Panel highlighting the region's small business resources. We heard from small business owners and resource providers about the challenges faced by Veteran business owners and the opportunities available for them. And we heard from agricultural experts on the challenges and resources within NC's agricultural sector.
Check out the recorded livestream below to hear all of the powerful insight from our esteemed panelists:
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Speakers
Welcome
Dr. Murtis Worth
Dr. Murtis Worth is the Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services at Fayetteville Technical Community College, a position she has held since February 2023. Worth manages 86 curriculum programs, corporate and continuing education, student services and faculty development at the college. Worth joined FTCC in 2020 as the Dean of Nursing. Under her leadership, the nursing program expanded its enrollment by about 100 students, to about 270 currently, and improved student retention. As part of the program expansion, Worth helped craft and implement a plan to move FTCC’s Nursing Department into much larger quarters in a renovated location on the Fayetteville campus. Worth earned an associate degree in nursing from FTCC, her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University’s School of Nursing; and her Doctor of Philosophy from the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
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.
Veronica B. Jones
Veronica B. Jones was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners as a At Large Representative in 2022 for a four-year term. This was her first time running for an elected official position. Commissioner Jones' 2022 election comprised 83% of election votes, she received the highest voter support. Immediately following her winning election, community supporters and several grassroot organizations began to refer (nick name) Commissioner Jones as "The People's Commissioner". Commissioner Jones was unanimously elected Vice Chairwoman of the Commissioners Board on December 2, 2024. Her current term expires in December 2026. A Public Servant with over 25 plus years of service, Commissioner Jones, is most known for her strong advocacy and work in health & wellness (mental health awareness) advocacy for disabled children and adults, affordable housing, education/fixing school facilities, advocacy for disabled veterans/military families, safe water/infrastructure and public safety.
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.
Roderick White
Roderick White serves as the Military Affairs Service Member/Family Coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.
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.
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.
Lisa Childers
Lisa Childers was born and raised in Fayetteville, NC. She is a graduate of Southview High School, received a Bachelor's of Science degree at Campbell University and earned a Master of Science degree from NC State University. Lisa has been employed with Cooperative Extension for over 26 years. She began her career with Cooperative Extension in Harnett County and has been the Cumberland County Extension Director since 2010. In Cumberland County Lisa is responsible for the planning, administration, and management of the overall Cooperative Extension program that includes: agriculture, foods and nutrition, and 4-H & Youth Development.
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.
