Home Business African American Entrepreneurs Association Celebrates 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year

African American Entrepreneurs Association Celebrates 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year

December 16, 2022

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 16, 2022) Saving the fireworks for last, it was a surprise award for a beloved recipient and a generous donation that closed the show for the 5^th Annual Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards dinner on Tuesday evening.

Continuing to build on the success of economic development programs created over the past decade, the African American Entrepreneurs Association celebrated more than the nation’s entrepreneurs on December 13^th as they gathered in the Dennis McGee Room at the Daytona Beach International Airport.

Honorees attend the 5th Annual Entrepreneurs of the Year on December 13, 2022 at the Daytona Beach International Airport, hosted by the AAEA. Photo: Flagler News Weekly.

Recognizing the accomplishments and tenacity of minority entrepreneurs, African American Entrepreneurs Association Founder and CEO Leslie Giscombe and co-host Cynthia Slater, President of the NAACP Daytona Beach Branch, led a spirited evening of accolades for recipients representing the small business community.

Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues from across the nation, entrepreneurs paused for their moment in the spotlight, graciously supporting each other as names were revealed to guests. Among those recognized was nationally acclaimed photojournalist and documentarian Duane Fernandez, Sr.

“I’m proud of it. I’m honored to have gotten this award,” shared Fernandez, recalling the opportunity to photograph former U.S. President Barak Obama on three occasions, and covering the funeral of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, as some of his most memorable career moments.

LaToya and James Carey, co-owners of Kenneth Grant Inzpirations with Cynthia Slater, President, NAACP Daytona Beach Branch. Photo: Flagler News Weekly

Inspiring stories accompanied each award, drawing tears during poignant moments and chuckles during those when recipients took themselves a little less seriously, even if ever so briefly.

Staying to congratulate the winners, Cyrus Callum, Director of Aviation and Economic Resources for Volusia County was pleased to host the event at the airport, offering not just support of the region’s entrepreneurs, but a chance for guests to experience one of Volusia County’s gems.

“It’s foundational. With our economic development ideas and things we want to do for our community, of course expanding small business and giving small businesses the resources in order to prosper, this ground level for us, supporting the African American Entrepreneurs Association,” he said.

“Anything that we can do to expose some of the talent we have there, to expose some of the products they’re putting out in our community, we want to be up front and center with that. I’m definitely honored to be here.”

Myriad Resources Make It Work

Designed with the minority entrepreneur in mind – from people of color to women, the African American Entrepreneurs Association has helped connect aspiring business owners with valuable resources. From training and workshops with top economists and partners at state and federal agencies like the U.S. Small Business Administration, to assisting with access to capital and the hurricane business relief fund, the programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of the AAEA’s members.

Established programs require support for sustainability and financial institutions, especially the nation’s community banks have embraced the opportunity to work alongside an underserved population of the business community to strengthen their chances for success.

Truist Bank’s Robert Ludlow addresses honorees attend the 5th Annual Entrepreneurs of the Year on December 13, 2022 at the Daytona Beach International Airport, hosted by the AAEA. Photo: Flagler News Weekly.

Providing the largest donation to date for the African American Entrepreneurs Association, Robert Ludlow, Market President of Truist Bank for Volusia and Flagler counties presented a $30,000 community benefits grant in support of the AAEA’s initiatives.

“As a 28 year banker, in the community we’ve always spent our time at the bank lifting up areas that need support, and the entrepreneurs are the ones that lead job growth,” said Ludlow. “The bank has always been a big supporter in that area of entrepreneurship.”

“In this community we can only help everybody that we can and this was one of the ones that Truist kind of leaned into to help support that in the community.”

Leslie Giscombe, Founder & CEO African American Entrepreneurs Association and Robert Ludlow, Market President Volusia/Flagler for Truist Bank. Photo: Duane Fernandez, Sr./Hardknotts Photography

The Sky Is the Limit. Or Is It?

After years of success – adding a main office at the Volusia County Incubator in Daytona Beach and a chapters of the AAEA in Gainesville and Palm Coast, Giscombe isn’t slowing down. Through experienced relationship building, AAEA Regional Director Julia Kline Fuentes has expanded the organization’s reach, building a chapter in Alabama, with locations in the southwest and northeast set for development in 2023-24.

“We have some hot spots we’re actually launching into chapters – Dallas, Texas, Alabama, and the DMV (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) region are our top three,” she said.

Omar & Camille Brown, owners of Kale Cafe in Daytona Beach and Founding Members of the AAEA since 2016 join African American Entrepreneurs Association Founder & CEO Leslie Giscombe for the 5th Annual Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards on December 13, 2022. Photo: Duane Fernandez, Sr./Hardknotts Photography

“We’re launching into Alabama first because I am there. One of the key principles is we have to have the resources available to our mentorship so we’re already working with Auburn University, we’ve reached out to the SBDC, we’re members of a couple of chambers and they’re all open arms excited.”

Giscombe acknowledged the joy of seeing the successful vision thriving.

“We had great honorees and tremendous community outreach. We just loved it,” he said. “The evening was really inspiring.”

As for the surprise recipient, and often the case with many busy entrepreneurs, he almost missed the event. Surprised when his name was called, Coast Dental’s Dr. Vernon Gordon was the evening’s final honoree. A lifelong entrepreneur, he closed the 5^th annual awards ceremony, creating a matching pair of awards to accompany the one his wife, Bernice Gordon received as the ‘Mother of an Entrepreneur’ – actress Taraji P. Henson.

“Dr. Gordon’s special because he’s been an entrepreneur for many years. He was so patient with waiting for five years to get his due after his wife received the first one,” Giscombe ribbed good-naturedly.