STD- 28th BTW SUMMIT
“Climate and Community: Sustainable Strategies for Development in the Black Belt South”
The Booker T. Washington Economic Summit is part of the Community Resources and Economic Development Extension & Research planned program area that focuses on enhancing financial security and better management of available resources for individuals and families, start-up micro-entrepreneurs and communities. Research and/or Extension Team Projects (RETPs) for this program area are: (a) Family Finances, (b) Start-up Businesses and Non-Profits, (c) Heir Property and African American Landloss and (d) Volunteer Leadership Development.
The Booker T. Washington Economic Summit uses the historical and philosophical perspectives of Booker T. Washington to focus on present day challenges and opportunities to promote entrepreneurship and community economic development in small towns, the southern region, and rural America. As a conference, the objectives are:
- Provide technical assistance and experiential learning opportunities for individuals and organizations to grow and become eligible for financing opportunities
- Provide a forum and a source of information on funding that eligible individuals can access to launch and/or grow their for-profit and not-for-profit business entities
- Act as an aggregation point for entities in target industries seeking to improve their profitability through alliances, partnerships and/or cooperatives
Conference participants are expected from the minority business and agri-business sectors, community-based organizations, government, HBCUs and other universities. They will convene to participate in the Business Pitch Competition; learn more about procurement and funding opportunities; examine best practices, programs and policies; and exhibit success stories and model business programs for new opportunities and growth.