Ford Named America’s
Most
Awarded
Brand For New Vehicle Quality – J.D. Power, 2025
In 2025, the Ford F-150® , Super Duty® , Escape® and Mustang® were all recognized by J.D. Power for their best-in-class initial quality. This award is determined through feedback from over 90,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2025 model-year vehicles, as well as repair visit data compiled from hundreds of thousands of real-world events.
Dedication to providing the best driving experience from the first mile, and commitment to excellence in vehicle production and performance, continually ensures Ford doesn’t just meet standards, but sets them.
Dear Friends, Partners, and Future-Focused Leaders,
Welcome to the 2025 Economic Development Forum (EDF)! I am honored to extend my warmest greetings as we gather for the 18th year.
The EDF has been a catalyst for meaningful connections, transformative partnerships, and groundbreaking strategies that drive economic growth across our region and beyond. This year’s theme, “Future Focused,” challenges us all to look ahead—to anticipate change, embrace innovation, and position our businesses and communities not just to survive but to thrive in the years to come.
Over the next few days, you will hear from visionary speakers, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with leaders from across industry sectors. Whether you are a small business owner, a corporate executive, a policymaker, or a community partner, this forum was designed with you in mind. Together, we will explore future-forward strategies, uncover new opportunities, and strengthen the networks that fuel sustainable economic growth.
The EDF is more than a conference—it is a convening of ideas, strategies, and concepts that lay the foundation for a future-focused roadmap. It is where innovation meets strategy, where partnerships fuel possibilities, and where businesses and communities position themselves for long-term success.
Thank you for being here, for investing your time, and for lending your voice to focus on the future. Your participation demonstrates not only a commitment to your own growth but also to the broader vision of building stronger businesses, stronger communities, and a stronger economy for all.
Let’s step boldly into the future—together.
With sincere appreciation,
President and CEO
The MMBC Continuum
Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Friends,
On behalf of The MMBC Continuum Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Economic Development Forum (EDF). Each year, EDF provides us with a vital opportunity to come together, share knowledge, and create pathways for economic growth across our region. We appreciate all of our sponsors who help make this event possible, including the support of Host Sponsors, Ford BlueOval City, and FedEx for their leadership and commitment.
The theme of this year’s forum, Future Focused, challenges each of us to not only respond to the needs of today but to anticipate the opportunities of tomorrow. When we come together by working collaboratively, our businesses and communities are much stronger.
This gathering is about more than networking—it is about building resilience and strengthening the ties between small businesses, corporate leaders, and community partners. I encourage you to be intentionally engaged and leave this forum with fresh insights and a renewed commitment to play your role in driving sustainable economic impact. Together, we can ensure that the future we are building is one of shared prosperity.
Thank you for your participation and your partnership in this important work.
Sincerely,
Keith Norman VP, Government Affairs, Baptist Memorial Health Care Board Chair, MMBC Continuum
Working together for stronger, healthier communities
At Baptist, our mission to care for and strengthen our communities has been made easier because of community partners like the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum and their dedication to making our corner of the world a better place for all. Congratulations to the MMBC on 18 years of successful Economic Development Forum events.
Proud sponsor of the 2025 MMBC Continuum Economic Development Forum
Get
baptistonline.org
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2025 SPONSORS
Thank you to our 2025 EDF sponsors for your ongoing commitment to improving the economy through the inclusion of diverse suppliers.
DAY 1 | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibitor Move-In / Registration Renasant Convention Center – (Exhibit Hall)
5:30 am – 7:30 pm Opening Business Reception
Rooftop - aloft Downtown Memphis
DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
8:00 am – 8:30 am Registration & Networking Lower Level Lobby and Exhibit Hall
8:30 am – 10:00 am Power Breakfast
Lower Level Grand Ballroom
Keynote Speaker
Dewayne Scott, TN Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
10:15am
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Exhibit Hall Grand Opening
Exhibit Hall Entrance
10:30am – 3:00pm Vision Vault - Exhibit Hall Innovation Zone, Silent Workshops, Corporate Connect
11:00am – 12:30pm Seminar: Bank On It: Tools, Talk & Time with Financial Experts
Main Stage - Vision Vault
Janetha Brown, MBA, First Horizon Bank
Jamel Dagher, Paragon Bank Evan Collins, Renasant Bank
11:15am – 12:15 pm
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (Concurrent) Booked for Business: Author Insights for Leaders and Entrepreneurs - The Inaugural EDF Book Club Ford Stage - Vision Vault
Panel:
Christin Webb, Author, 31 Days of Confidence: Engage Your Core and Leadership
John D. Jackson, Author, For Whom The Virus Tolls
Carolyn Hardy, Author, Step Out
Presented by Jennifer Richardson
11:15am – 12:15 pm From Local to Legendary: (Concurrent)
Using Radio & Smart TV to Grow Your Business FedEx Stage - Vision Vault
Speaker:
Leon Williamson - Market President, iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group, Memphis & Tupelo
11:45 am – 1:30 pm Concessions: Grab ‘n Go Lunch Vision Vault - Exhibit Hall
12:30pm – 1:30 pm
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (Concurrent)
The Future of Procurement is Now: Harnessing AI for Impact
Ford Stage - Vision Vault
Christin Webb, CEO, The Greater You Leadership Series & Managing Partner, Avid Solutions
The Workforce Blueprint: Building Futures
FedEx Stage - Vision Vault
Speaker:
Amber Covington, CEO, Third & Ten Consulting
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Grand Slam Marketing
Main Stage - Vision Vault
Presenter:
Germain Kirk, Digital Marketing Consultant, Gray Media
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Grand Prize Drawing Main Stage - Vision Vault
DAY 3 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
7:15 am – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast Sponsored by W&T Contracting Corporation Lower Level Lobby
8:00 am – 9:15 am The Supply and Demand of Human Capital: From Classroom to Career LL7
Facilitator: Dr. Carol Johnson Dean
Panel:
David J. Russomanno, University of Memphis
Amy Shead, Southwest TN Community College
Dan Sujan, Rhodes College
Tara Dunn-Ross, Lemoyne-Owen College
Amy Ware, Christian Brothers University
9:15 am – 10:45 am 2G:MPower Seminar
Next Gen Memphis: Building Tomorrow’s Tech, Today River Front Rooms
Facilitator:
“Big Sue” Purnell, Senior Vice President of Programming, iHeart Media
DAY 3 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 (cont’d)
Panel:
Brent Hooks, Regional Vice President, Cornerstone Engineering, Inc.
Kesha Cohran-Ivy, Chief Academic Officer, Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South Molly Polatty, Program Manager — Government Program Manager, Shelby County Trustee
9:30 am – 10:45 am Embracing the Future of Your Business Through AI to Advance, Thrive and Dominate LL7
Presenters:
Travis Spencer, Sr. Manager - Supplier Relations, Ford Motor Company
Presenter:
Sridhar Sunkara, CEO, eBiz Solutions
9:30 am – 12:15 pm Future Focused Workforce Exchange: Ready. Set. Hire! Lobby of LL7
11:00 am – 12:15 pm Unified for Growth: A Future Focused Mayoral Discussion
Speakers:
Mayor Larry Dagen - Millington, TN
Mayor Maureen Fraser - Collierville, TN
Mayor Marco McClendon - West Memphis, AR
Mayor David Parsons - Bartlett, TN
Mayor Josh Roman - Lakeland, TN
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Luncheon Keynote Lower Level Ballroom
Speaker: Jeremy Mathurin, Solution Engineering Director, Microsoft
2:15 pm – 3:30 pm Partners in Progress: Building Together for Economic Impact LL6
Facilitator: Andy Davis, Turner Construction
Panel:
Ama Addai, Ardmore Roderick
Grant Mills, Chris Woods Construction
Terrell Richards, W & T Contracting
Wiley Richards, W & T Contracting
Carlos Fifer, Fifer & Associates
POWER BREAKFAST
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Lower Level Grand Ballroom
PROGRAM
Opening Remarks & Introduction of MC
Jozelle Luster Booker, President & CEO The MMBC Continuum
Mistress of Ceremonies Joy Redmond, Anchor, WMC-Action News 5
Invocation
Greetings
Rev. Colley Cooper, Pastor, Hope City Church
BREAKFAST SERVED
Reginald Boyce, Director, City of Memphis
Harold Collins, Chief Administrative Officer, Shelby County Government
Sponsor Remarks Jonathan Mitchell, General Manager, WMC-Action News 5 / Gray Media
DeJuan Hendricks, Business Development/Senior Account Executive, iHeartMedia
Celestine Evans, Manager, Enterprise Business Services, FedEx
Ermal Faulkner, Site Director, Blue Oval City & Electric Vehicle Sites, Ford Motor Company
Speaker Introduction
Keynote Speaker
Closing Remarks
Jozelle Luster Booker
Dewayne Scott, Deputy Commissioner, TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Keith Norman, Vice President of Government Relations, Baptist Memorial Health Care Board Chair, The MMBC Continuum
Jozelle Luster Booker, President & CEO The MMBC Continuum
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dewayne Scott Deputy Commissioner Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Main Stage - Vision Vault
Bank On It: Tools, Talk & Time with Financial Experts
Join local financial institutions for insights into banking services tailored to small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals. Following presentations, attendees can meet one-onone with bank reps to explore financing options, programs, and partnerships.
MBA Vice President/BCM
Evan Collins VP, Community Lending & Relationship Director
Vice President,
Jamel Dagher Assistant
Commercial Lending Paragon Bank
Renasant Bank
Janetha Brown,
First Horizon
PANEL
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Ford Stage - Vision Vault
Booked for Business: Author Insights for Leaders and Entrepreneurs - The Inaugural EDF Book Club
Step inside the stories behind some of today’s most useful small business reads. In this inaugural book club session, featured authors will share key takeaways, discuss their inspiration, and offer insights to help you apply their lessons. Book sales and signings follow the panel.one-on-one with bank reps to explore financing options, programs, and partnerships.
PANEL
Christin Webb Author 31 Days of Confidence: Engage Your Core and Leadership
FACILITATOR: Tori Haliburton Director of Community Building Downtown Memphis Commission
Hardy Author Step Out Look Up
Carolyn
D. John Jackson Author For Whom The Virus Tolls
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
FedEx Stage - Vision Vault
From Local to Legendary: Using Radio & Smart TV to Grow Your Business
PRESENTER:
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ford Stage - Vision Vault
The Future of Procurement is Now: Harnessing AI for Impact
Technology is changing the way organizations source, buy, and build. This session offers live demos and expert walkthroughs of procurement tools that integrate AI, automation, and predictive analytics to streamline purchasing, vendor management, and more.
PRESENTER: Christin Webb CEO
The Greater You Leadership
Series Managing Partner
Avid Solutions
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
FedEx Stage - Vision Vault
The Workforce Blueprint: Building Futures Without Limits
This interactive session convenes employers, community leaders, and workforce partners to address gaps and strengthen alignment across the talent pipeline. Insights will shape the Workforce Ecosystem Mapping Project, building a future-ready roadmap that connects residents to opportunity and employers to skilled talent.
PRESENTER: Amber Covington Founder & CEO Third & Ten Consulting
Publication: Southern Heritage Classic
Size: 8.5"x11"
Client: Regional One Health
Job No: 230020E
Title: 230020A Southern Heritage Classic Ad
Thursday, September 11, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. LL7
The Supply and Demand of Human Capital: From Classroom to Career
Leaders from higher education and secondary education institutions will share their future-focused strategies and innovative approaches to preparing students for careers and the workforce in today’s competitive AI-driven world.
PANEL
David J. Russomanno Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost University of Memphis
Amy Shead Associate Vice President of Workforce and Career and Technical Education SWTCC
Dan Sujan Dean for Postgraduate and Special Programs Rhodes College
Tara Dunn-Ross Chief Operating Officer LeMoyne-Owen College
FACILITATOR
Dr. Carol Johnson Dean
Amy Ware TBD Christian Brothers University
Thursday, September 11, 2025
8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
River Front Rooms
Next Gen Memphis: Building Tomorrow’s Tech, Today
This dynamic and interactive session is designed to introduce and expose high school students to the fast-evolving tech industry, from coding and cybersecurity to data analytics, IT support, and entrepreneurship. Students will gain practical insights about career pathways and other opportunities that will inspire youth to pursue high-tech careers.
Who Should Attend:
• High School & College Students
• Aspiring Future Entrepreneurs
Brent Hooks, PMP Regional Vice President Cornerstone Engineering, Inc.
FACILITATOR:
Kesha Cohran-Ivy Chief Academic Officer Junior Achievement of Memphis and the
Mid-South
“Big Sue” Purnell Senior Vice President of Programming iHeart Media
Polatty Program Manager— Government Program Manager Shelby County Trustee
Molly
Thursday, September 11, 2025
9:30 p.m. – 10:45 a.m.
LL7
Embracing the Future of Your Business Through AI to Advance, Thrive and Dominate
Travis Spencer Sr. Manager - Supplier Relations
Sridhar Sunkara CEO eBiz Solutions
Ford Motor Company
MAYORAL DISCUSSION
Thursday, September 11, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. LL7
Unified for Growth: A Future Focused Mayoral Discussion
In this session, regional mayors unite to demonstrate the power of collaboration—building bold partnerships that drive prosperity, inspire innovation, and shape a thriving economic future.
FACILITATOR
Joanna Crangle Market President and Publisher Memphis Business Journal
Maureen Fraser Mayor Collierville, TN
David Parsons Mayor Bartlett, TN
Marco McClendon Mayor West Memphis, AR
Josh Roman Mayor Lakeland, TN
Larry Dagen Mayor Millington, TN
PANEL
MLGW’s Strategic Sourcing Program
LUNCHEON WITH SPEAKER
Thursday, September 11, 2025
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lower Level Ballroom
PROGRAM
Opening Remarks & Introduction of MC Jozelle Luster Booker, President & CEO, The MMBC Continuum
Master of Ceremonies
Invocation
Brief Remarks
Sponsor Remarks
Andrew Douglas, Anchor, WMC - Action News 5
Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Senior Pastor Abyssinian Baptist Church
Keith Norman, Vice President of Government Relations, Baptist Memorial Health Care Board Chair, The MMBC Continuum
Mayor Paul Young, City of Memphis
Aditi Khanna, Director Global Sourcing, FedEx
Introduction of Keynote Speaker Jozelle Luster Booker
Keynote Speaker
Closing Remarks
Jeremy Mathurin, Solution Engineering Director, Microsoft
Jozelle Luster Booker
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jeremy Mathurin
Solution Engineering Director Microsoft
Thursday, September 11, 2025
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. LL6
Partners in Progress: Building Together for Economic Impact
PANEL
Ama Addai Associate VP, Energy & Utilities Ardmore Roderick
Terrell Richards Co-President
W & T Contracting Corporation
Carlos Fifer President, CEO
Fifer & Associates
Grant Mills Vice President Chris Woods Construction
Wiley Richards Co-President
W & T Contracting Corporation
FACILITATOR
Andy Davis VP & GM, Memphis office Turner Construction
EDGE is a quasi-governmental agency that serves as the Chief Economic Development Office for the City of Memphis and Shelby County Government
EDGE’s Small Business Forgivable Loan Program is designed to spark revitalization of neighborhood business districts through small forgivable loans up to $25,000 Since inception, the program has assisted projects that have invested nearly $9 million in Memphis businesses and neighborhoods
What does EDGE do?
Serve as the thought leader of
Economic Development Strategies
Provide tax incentives
Coordinate Technical Assistance
Administer Grants
Manages the International Port of Memphis Represent mayors and elected officials in all economic development activities
What are EDGE’s goals?
Family sustainable job creation
Neighborhood Revitalization
Regional Collaboration
Industrial Development
Small Business Growth
Revenue Generating Strategies
Supporting diversity and growing local businesses in the community.
Systems Technologies, Inc.
is a regional IT consulting firm and information systems solution provider. Our mission and focus is to match businesses with appropriate solutions to meet the technological needs and requirements in sustaining a viable organization.
IT SOLUTIONS
ITSTRATEGY ANDCONSULTING
BUSINESSINTELLIGENCEAND ANALYTICS
DATANETWORKING
SYSTEMCONFIGURATION
INFRASTRUCTURE
SOLUTIONS
SECURITYCAMERA
ACCESSCONTROL
FLEETMANAGEMENT-GPS
PHONESYSTEM
NETWORKCABLING
SUPPORT SERVICES
Office:901.410.2679
Fax:901.2355723
Email:contact@systemsllc.net
Tranforming Memphis from one of America’s least connected cities to a national model of digital participation
mStreetFiber is a Memphis-based fiber broadband network developer determined to make fiber broadband accessible, affordable and adoptable for Memphians of all income levels. We are committed to equipping all Memphis — regardless of their income levels -- to realize the opportunities that come from participating in our increasingly digital society.
mStreetFiber is proud to support the MMBC 18th Annual Economic Development Forum Contact tn_info@mstreetfiber.com to learn about potential opportunities for your business. 1-888-838-0225
mStreetFiber_FullPageAd_8.5x11.indd 1 9/8/25 12:58 PM
GREEN WALL WALKWAY
80 Unistar Sparco
81 Express Wages
82 Express Wages
83-84 iSwipe
85 UpCycle Farma
86-87 Flying Dirty
88 Campbell & Ford Construction, Inc
89 TopCat Masonry
90 Kroger
91-91 MLGW
Special thanks to our Board of Directors, corporate members, MMBC Continuum members, small businesses, ecosystem partners, foundation and other strategic partners, for your support of our efforts to engage in the journey to economic inclusion.
SAVE THE DATES
& Plan to Attend EDF
