REPORT BLOCK
THE BLOCK REPORT:
Converting Conversations to Contracts this Minority Enterprise Development Week
The Genesis Block team welcomes you to Converting Conversations to Contracts at CFCC's Union Station! This event connects some of the region's largest businesses and organizations with diverse-owned businesses looking to secure contracting opportunities and diversify supply chains. Keep reading to learn more!
We are proud to partner with many generous supporters to make this event happen. Thank you to our sponsors!
PRESENTINGSPONSORS
PREMIUMSPONSORS
LUNCHEONSPONSORS
SUPPLIERDIVERSITYSPONSORS
PRINTSPONSOR
COMMUNITYSPONSORS
SUPPORTINGSPONSORS
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
to Conversations Contracts
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Conversations to Contracts works with financial institutions to assist diverse business owners in accessing stage-appropriate financial solutions.
C2C helps diverse-owned businesses overcome obstacles in obtaining capital for growth.
Increasing the customer base of businesses owned by minorities results in higher revenue and enhances their capacity
Active collaboration with organizations committed to promoting diversity within their supply chain is crucial to our approach.
Strategic insights and technical expertise often elude Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs)
Conversations to Contracts seeks to bridge this gap through insightful workshops and networking opportunities.
Cape Fear Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week supports the growth of minority business enterprises (MBEs) by providing opportunities for networking, expansion, and growth across southeastern North Carolina.
Conversations to Contracts is the culminating event of the week, marking the incredible work by community members to create a space for diverse-owned businesses to expand their enterprise and make invaluable connections with industry leaders looking to diversify their supply chains.
PARKING
This fall's Conversations to Contracts event will take place at Union Station on Cape Fear Community College's downtown campus Visitor parking is available at the L Lot on the corner of 2nd and Walnut St and in the Hanover Parking Deck Parking permits for the lot or garage must be displayed.
FREE VISITOR
PARKING
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Are You Lost in the Noise?
Wilmington Media + Marketing
Marine Corps Installations East Workshop
8:30 AM
Presented by Chris Rabassi
Small Business Engagement in New & Disruptive Technologies
NCDOT Office of Civil Rights
The Perfect Workday for a Small Business Owner
The Perfect Workday Company
9:30 AM
Are You Lost in the Noise?
Wilmington Media + Marketing
Small Business Engagement in New & Disruptive Technologies
NCDOT Office of Civil Rights
Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch
UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
QuickBooks and Business Budgeting
Level Up Strategies
Importance of Personal Credit
First National Bank SCAN
FEATURED WORKSHOPS &
KEY SPEAKERS
Enhance your business knowledge, skills, and opportunities by attending a series of informative workshops. Register here.
VENDORS to Conversations Contracts
3 Chambers
Art by Nugget LLC
Artworks
Avonya's Blends
Balfour Beatty
Cape Fear Solar Systems
Carolina Community Impact
Corning Credit Union Chamber
Clancy & Theys Construction Co.
COW
Creatively Covered Co LLC
Creators Print House
CSBDF
Delta Sigma Theta
Edison Westbrook Consulting
Elaborate Outings
Elevate Coworking
Excellent Educational Services for All Express
Finding Balance Chiropractic & Wellness
Franco's Electric, LLC
Garmint
Genesis Block
Gimmzi Smart Rewards
H&S Plumbing Services, LLC
Heavenly Treats LLC
Highland Roofing
Infinity Acupuncture
Innate Health
Intentional Designs
ISI ELITE TRAINING WILMINGTON
Jireh Peruvian Coffee
K Starr Coaching
Ken Weeden
Lady O Boutique
LaMoore Media Versatility, LLC
Lettie’s History Education & Consulting; But Then
You Read Bookshop
Level Up Strategies
Manic Mochi Studios LLC
McEuen Insurance
MG Visual Studios, LLC
Michelle’s Corner
Monteith Construction
NCDOT
NHC Commission for Women
NHCTY
North Carolina Coastal Federation
Novant
nCino
Patriot Roofing
PNC
Premier Accounting & Bookkeeping
Progress Carolina, LLC
RBELL CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC
ReEngineering HR
Rumelca
Salt Air Inc
Samet
SBC BCC
SBC CFCC
SBTDC
Self-Help Credit Union
Shemekka Ebony LLC
S L Taylor's bling
Slow Pour
State Farm Chrystal Fray
Target
Task Home Services
Temple Rebuilder
The Carolina Healthy Vending Company
The Demia Avery Show/Whatchu Doin NC
The Tapestry Loom
The Tranquility Parlor, LLC
UNCW CIE
UNCW Facilities
United Community Bank
Wagners Express Transportation LLC
Wine and Design Leland
YWCA
DR. GLORIA CARNEY SHEALEY | LEGACY BUILDER
DR. AISHA SARFO | LEGACY RECEIVER
MODERATED BY SHERI SHAW LEAVENS
11:00 AM OCT. 11TH
Aisha Sarfo
Gloria Carney Shealey
Sheri Shaw Leavens
MED WEEK 2024
FIRESIDE CHAT
“Building
& Leaving a Legacy”
LEGACY BUILDER, SPEAKER:
GLORIA CARNEY SHEALEY, PH.D.
Dr. Gloria Carney Shealey is the President & CEO of The Daniele Company with over 25 years in the construction industry. She has received numerous honors for her business leadership, community service, construction excellence, championing women businesses, and commitment to economic parity.
Dr. Shealey will speak on her journey of building a lasting construction business, and how you can create an entrepreneurial legacy that your children will want to continue.
OCTOBER11TH 11:00AM
MED WEEK 2024
FIRESIDE CHAT
“Building
& Leaving a Legacy”
LEGACY RECEIVER, SPEAKER:
AISHA SARFO, PH.D.
Dr. Aisha Sarfo is an owner in The Daniele Company and provides leadership in project management, execution excellence, and performance productivity. She has participated in over $125 million of construction projects across North Carolina.
Dr. Sarfo will discuss the unique decision to take up the family business that her mother built and continue an entrepreneurial legacy.
OCTOBER11TH 11:00AM WILSONCENTER
MED WEEK 2024
FIRESIDE CHAT
“Building & Leaving a Legacy”
MODERATOR:
SHERI SHAW LEAVENS
Sheri Shaw Leavens serves as Assistant Dean for Student Success and Academic Advising in UNCW’s College of Health and Human Services. Shaw also manages a small business focused on professional coaching and academic consultations.
Sheri will graciously moderate this Fireside Chat, offering a peek into a discussion between a mother and daughter about building a general contracting business as a black female entrepreneur and the decision to take up that legacy.
OCTOBER11TH 11:00AM
Wewillwalkyou throughit. Visitourrepresentatives atthecertificationstation duringtheConversations toContractstradeshow!
CERTIFICATIONSOFFERED
SmallBusinessEnterprise(SBE)
HistoricallyUnderutilizedBusinesses(HUB)
DisadvantagedBusinessEnterprise(DBE)
Minority-OwnedBusinessEnterprises(MBE)
Women-OwnedBusinessEnterprises(WBE)
Veteran-OwnedSmallBusiness(VOSB)
ACDBE(airportconcessions)
Minority-owned businesses employ 1 out of 10 Americans, and in total, they generate over $1.3 trillion in sales every year.
99.9% of minority-owned businesses with employees are small businesses. Minority-owned businesses have the potential to greatly impact our society as they grow in number and spread out across the globe.
ATTENTION:
Can your business provide disaster response or recovery services? We want you to join the Ready, Willing, and Able database!
WHAT IS
Genesis
and the
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners shows that 2.5 million, or 82 percent of minorityowned businesses in the U.S., are sole proprietorships.
In 2020, there were an estimated 581,200 Asian-owned businesses, 134,567 Black- or African American-owned businesses and 346,836 Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States of America.
BlockReportFact:
On average, a minority-owned firm had $1.2 million in annual sales and employed 8 workers.
Innovation Network
Our mission is to support entrepreneurs from ideation to commercialization with quality training, production spaces, and brand development.
Genesis BlockLabz Innovationcenter includingcoworking, events,meetingrooms andcollaboration spaces
BlockAcademy
Entrepreneurtraining anddigitalplatform connectingbusinesses anddeveloping startups
Genesis Block Foundation
Entrepreneur support organization providing programming, resources and mentorship
Foodincubator supportinglocalfood entrepreneursand fosteringculinary innovation
GenesisBridge Collaborativeplatform connectingentrepreneurs, contractorsand professionalsforbusiness development
GENESIS BRIDGE
An initiative driving growth and collaboration for diverse businesses.
Genesis Bridge is a dynamic service model that connects entrepreneurs, contractors, and professionals to foster business growth and innovation. With initiatives like Conversations to Contracts, Ready Willing & Able, and the Genesis Bridge online database, the platform drives brand development and strengthens supplier diversity networks across the region
Conversations to Contracts
This initiative recently expanded to Jacksonville, North Carolina, as part of Genesis Block's vision to create a rural innovation hub network east of I-95
With over $1 million in contracts in the pipeline for 2023-24, Conversations to Contracts provides minority-owned businesses with vital opportunities to secure new partnerships and drive growth
In collaboration with the NCDOT Office of Civil Rights, Ready Willing & Able is establishing a disaster-ready pipeline of minority businesses. This regional project ensures that qualified minority enterprises are prepared to respond swiftly to emergency operations while diversifying government supply chains.
Developing Minority Business Enterprises All Year
Long
JOIN GENESIS BRIDGE
Launch of Genesis Bridge Online Database
The Genesis Bridge software platform has reached its beta phase, providing a powerful tool for connecting businesses with new opportunities and enhancing their market reach This digital network supports the mission of creating a seamless path for minority entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed.
Genesis Bridge is committed to building a resilient ecosystem that empowers minority businesses to transform ideas into tangible opportunities, driving economic growth all year long
SMALL BIZ STUDIO ILM
Creating opportunities for micro-businesses to thrive in downtown Wilmington.
As part of Genesis Block's Innov Network, Small Biz Studio ILM p The Coalition, the City of Wilmin other key stakeholders to suppo business owners with resources space, and mentorship. This ret program focuses on increasing of local entrepreneurs, creating cultural hub in downtown Wilm citizens and visitors alike.
Key Features:
Local Cultural Hub: Small B intentionally creates spaces creators and entrepreneurs with the community and tou enhancing Wilmington's cultural identity and local economy.
Affordable Retail Space: Through shared rental spaces, the program reduces business costs for participants, making downtown Wilmington more accessible and attractive to startups and micro-businesses
Develop Downtown Business Owners: In collaboration with Genesis Block, this training program equips entrepreneurs with essential skills to operate successful businesses, increasing tenant success rates and revitalizing the local business scene.
Retail Business Incubator: Small Biz Studio ILM leverages Genesis Block's network to provide comprehensive training, business counseling, and wraparound services, transforming ideas into sustainable ventures.
Developing Minority Business Enterprises All Year Long
With the support of Cape Fear Community College, Channel Powered By Live Oak Bank, and other partners like the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Small Biz Studio ILM aims to nurture over 25 companies annually. Together, these partnerships transform Wilmington into a Small Business Success Portal, offering a dynamic platform for mentorship, networking, and growth
Genesis Block's commitment to developing Minority Business Enterprises is at the core of Small Biz Studio ILM's mission, ensuring local entrepreneurs have access to the tools and opportunities needed to succeed all year long.
Expanding Horizons
An innovative food hall and business incubator.
Block Eatz is on a mission to elevate Minority Business Enterprises by empowering local food entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. Through innovative partnerships and food service initiatives, Block Eatz offers a path from ideation to commercialization, creating opportunities for growth and development all year long.
Block Eatz McKeithan
Our flagship food hall and business incubator is located at CFCC’s North Campus An innovative solution that provides food entrepreneurs with the kitchen, marketing, and customer base to grow their venture
Block Eatz Catering
Network that connects caterers with our partner organizations to meet supplier diversity needs and grow catering ventures.
Developing Minority Business Enterprises All Year Long
Chef’s Vision
A monthly public meetup event that brings the local food entrepreneurship and innovation community together for networking, introduction of new concepts, industry insights, brand development, and business expansion.
Impacts:
Block Eatz McKeithan opened its doors on September 19, 2023, at the McKeithan Center, making waves as the first food hall incubator in southeastern North Carolina. In 2024, the initiative expanded to include Chef’s Vision and a robust catering network, further empowering local food entrepreneurs with new opportunities for growth and innovation. With a focus on transforming the local food landscape, Block Eatz continues to build on its mission of fostering community and business development.
BLOCK ACADEMY
Genesis Block Academy
Genesis Block Academy is dedicated to transforming early-stage founders into successful entrepreneurs through hands-on training, mentorship, and community support. In 2023, the Academy proudly supported 15 diverse-owned businesses, with plans to launch four new cohorts in 2024. This journey has led to impressive outcomes, including the launch and growth of multiple innovative ventures
Success Stories from Jumpstart Academy
Graduates of the Jumpstart Academy have taken their businesses to new heights, with notable ventures like London’s Dream by Ashley Lynch, Sip and Shop Boutique by Marchelle Carmichael, Re-ravled Apparel by Kendall Passmore, and Gracefully Chic
Photography by Quasheera Gamble making waves in their respective industries. Other standout companies include No Pork on My Fork, Be Sweet Bakery, and The Collectionist, all of which continue to grow and thrive thanks to the support they received.
Developing
Minority Business Enterprises
All
Year Long
Expanding Horizons
Wits Begin Impactful Cohorts
The Wits Begin program has also seen tremendous success, guiding startups like Be Mo Kind by Charity Tuttle and Paella Fusion by Yanni Lopez from ideation to execution. Businesses such as Soul Love Lux Boutique, Queen Herbal Teas, and Sweet Reads have expanded their market reach and strengthened their community presence through this initiative.
Genesis Block Academy's impact goes beyond its training programs, with several businesses achieving significant expansion. Companies like Speller Street Films, Honey Head Films, Avonya’s Blends, and Creators’ Printhouse have scaled their operations, while others like Paella Fusion and Elaborate Outings have successfully entered new markets
Genesis Block Academy remains committed to fostering a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs, helping them turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses that make a difference in the community.
BLOCK ACADEMY
Genesis Block Academy Graduates
With multiple cohorts launched annually, the Genesis Block Academy has empowered a wide range of companies, helping them achieve significant milestones in their growth journey. From launching innovative startups to scaling existing businesses, Genesis Block Academy continues to be a catalyst for entrepreneurship and economic development in the community. Here are a few of the companies the Genesis Block Academy has helped:
Companies with Business Expansion
Speller Street Films
Honey Head Films
Avonya’s Blends
Creators’ Printhouse
Paella Fusion
Elaborate Outings
Helping Hands of Cape Fear
Queen Herbal Teas
Developing Minority
Business Enterprises All Year Long
15 Jumpstart Academy Companies
Summer 2024 - Team Catalyst Champions
True Productions - Harkeem Brantley
Fennell de'Kure - Kiffany Fennell
Coastal Home Solutions by Natasha - Natasha
Horrell
Wagner's Express Transportation LLC - Fransha'
Wagner
Beauty and Co Salon Studios - Terra Ross
Boutique Te'Nise - Roshun Constant
The Tranquility Parlor - Bernadette Correa
Slow Pour - Jordan Brown
Winter 2024 - Team EOS
Just Jazzy LLC - Cherri Cook
Grandma Joe's Old Fashion Peanut BrittleSelena & Dale Sutton
Blendsations Beverage Bar & Cafe, LLC - Sharee
Baldwin
Funshun at the Junkshun - Melissa Shuford
Etcetera Art + Play - Edith King
Creatively Covered Co. / Unwind - Dawn
McDowell
Grace of Jordan Home Care LLC - Ashley Hall
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
We are proud to partner with many generous supporters to make this event happen. Thank you to our sponsors!
PRESENTINGSPONSORS
PREMIUMSPONSORS
LUNCHEONSPONSORS
SUPPLIERDIVERSITYSPONSORS
PRINTSPONSOR
COMMUNITYSPONSORS
SUPPORTINGSPONSORS
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Expanding Our Innovation Ne WHAT’S NEXT:
Genesis Block is building a dynamic Network of Innovation Hubs across eastern North Carolina to accelerate entrepreneurship, bridge the digital divide, and drive economic growth in local communities. Our focus on advancing innovation is paving the way for even more opportunities to support diverse entrepreneurs.
New Initiatives:
Small Biz Studio Expansion: We’re extending our support for micro-businesses through additional retail and training spaces, providing even more resources to empower local entrepreneurs.
Block Eatz Food Incubator: As an accredited incubator, Block Eatz will continue to nurture culinary ventures, offering the facilities and mentorship needed to take foodbased businesses from concept to reality.
New Hub Locations: With Genesis Block Hub locations already established in Wilmington, we're expanding to Jacksonville and beyond, creating a broader ecosystem that fosters collaboration and growth across the region.
Genesis Block’s commitment to creating a thriving network of innovation hubs ensures that local entrepreneurs have the support they need to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive future for business development in North Carolina.
Girard Newkirk
Tracey Newkirk
Aarienne Hansley Education Coordinator Michelle Epp
Thank you for another great year!