Women's Business Center at Alcorn State University

08/10/2025

🚨 Get Cyber Ready! 🚨
Join us for the Cybersecurity Readiness Workshop hosted at Alcorn State University!
✅ Hands-on sessions
✅ Virtual learning options
✅ Personalized assessments
💻 Don’t forget to bring your laptop!
Light breakfast and lunch will be provided for in-person sessions.

11/09/2025

Ready to take your business to the next level?

Join our 10-Week Business Development & AI Integration Program starting September 23rd! This program is designed for Mississippi entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups who want to scale their ideas with the power of AI – no experience required!

✨ What’s included:
✔ Weekly business + AI training sessions
✔ Expert networking opportunities
✔ Final Pitch Competition with mentorship
✔ Hands-on support in branding, finance & legal strategies

📅 Apply by September 19 at 👉 mississippiai.org/aiagency

Don’t miss this chance to grow your business and stay ahead of the curve! 🌟

08/09/2025

✨ We’re excited to share this opportunity with you! Tomorrow at 7:00 P.M. CST, tune into a webinar on The Art of Storytelling Marketing. Perfect for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to strengthen their brand.

🔗 Sign up here:

Learn how to write storytelling content that hooks your audience in 3 seconds and turns followers into raving fans.

22/07/2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Youth Entrepreneurship Market originally scheduled for July 24–26 has been postponed.
Stay tuned for updates on the new dates — we look forward to turning passion into profit with you soon!
For questions or to stay informed, please contact: [email protected]

15/07/2025

Calling All Business Owners & Entrepreneurs!
This July, take your business to the next level with a series of powerful, hands-on workshops and events in Natchez! Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow, don’t miss these FREE opportunities to learn about financial strategies, digital marketing, negotiation tactics, and more. Let’s build, brand, and boost your business together!

Frazier Extended Education and Cultural Enrichment Center
Pretty Girls With Brains • Bethlehem Baptist Church

12/06/2025

Our Women’s Business Center Director, Jarita Frazier-King, along with Dr. Antwon Woods and Dr. Latuesday Guy, will represent Alcorn State University in a panel discussion on integrating AI into business accelerators at the Southern Spark Conference.

The conference will be held in Jackson, MS, and their speaking segment is scheduled for June 17 at 11:10 A.M.

We hope to see you there for this insightful conversation on the future of innovation and entrepreneurship!

28/04/2025

The Women’s Business Center at Alcorn State University proudly serves clients across 11 counties in Mississippi and the surrounding four parishes in Louisiana. We are here to assist with business development and help you become lender-ready.

Please note that we do not provide funding directly. If we refer you to a financial partner, our role is to assist in making the connection and helping you prepare for success.

Our goal is to help you find the resources you need to thrive. We are excited to continue supporting new and existing clients on their business journey. Becoming a business owner takes hard work and dedication, and our role is to help you get there faster with the right tools and guidance.

We are now accepting new clients and look forward to hearing from you soon! Please sign up at https://alcornwbc.ecenterdirect.com/signup?centerid=19

01/04/2025

In honor of Women's History Month, the Alcorn State University Women's Business Center is excited to highlight Women entrepreneurs in the Miss Lou area. Our last entrepreneur that we will be highlighting is Denise Clark, General Manager of The Guest House and owner of "Sight2See" which is a Fashion Frame Business.

1. Your Business Story – How You Got Started?

I love to express myself through fashion and accessories. I have different styles, colors, shapes of frames and everyone would always ask me where did you get those frames from? So, I decided that I would be the one they would get them from

2. Challenges & Triumphs – How You’ve Overcome Obstacles as a Woman Entrepreneur?

In business there's going to be a lot of different challenges, and with me was running the business by myself at least I thought I had too. I would get so overwhelmed with orders and events and didn't want help because I felt no one would help my customers the same way I did. I had to learn that "each one teach one". I didn't have to do it alone that was a choice, and I thank God for the vision and family showing me that I wasn't alone.

3. Your Advice – Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation of Businesswomen?

To be successful in business you must be intentional about everything that you do. I make sure I have a to do list daily and that I don't close my day out until all my task is finished, that's being intentional. Procrastination truly is the enemy in every aspect of life so make sure you Seize the day, and Make All moves like it's your last, and put God first in all you do, and you can never go wrong .

31/03/2025

n honor of Women's History Month, the Alcorn State University Women's Business Center is excited to highlight Women entrepreneurs in the Miss Lou area. Our sixth entrepreneur that we will be highlighting is Betty Belle, owner of B' Moore & Associates.

1. Your Business Story – How You Got Started?

B’ Moore & Associates, LLC was founded in 2006 with a mission to empower individuals and organizations. We specialize in training educators to become effective instructional leaders, providing enriching educational and cultural experiences for youth and adults, and organizing impactful events for exceptional groups. Our goal has always been to uplift communities through education, engagement, and meaningful connections.

2. Challenges & Triumphs – How You’ve Overcome Obstacles as a Woman Entrepreneur?

The biggest challenge was finding the courage to pursue my passion for teaching and leadership. As a woman entrepreneur, overcoming workplace biases and proving my competence in a male-dominated space required resilience and determination. However, these challenges only fueled my drive, pushing me to establish a business that not only supports educators and youth but also inspires others to break barriers.

3. Your Advice – Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation of Businesswomen?

Commitment and persistence are key. Once you set your mind to something, don’t stop until you succeed. Obstacles will come, but perseverance leads to breakthroughs. Stay the course, and success will follow!

31/03/2025

In honor of Women's History Month, the Alcorn State University Women's Business Center is excited to highlight Women entrepreneurs in the Miss Lou area. Our fifth entrepreneur that we will be highlighting is Beverley Greene, agency owner of The Greene Group (Allstate).

1. Your Business Story – How You Got Started?

In 2010, my husband, Dwight Greene, who is the Founding Pastor of Living Word Worship Center, led us to Natchez, MS. This pivotal moment marked a significant transition in my career. I moved from training agents and their staff to selling insurance, ultimately becoming a proud agency and franchise owner of The Greene Group of Allstate Insurance and Financial Services, a role I have embraced for 15 years. We specialize in providing comprehensive coverage, including auto, boat, home, renters, life insurance, and financial services. Our mission at The Greene Group has always been twofold: to serve as a beacon of trustworthiness in our community and to empower our clients with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect their most valuable assets and secure their financial futures. For us, this is more than just a business; it is a commitment to advocate for our clients and support them during their times of need.

2. Challenges & Triumphs – How You’ve Overcome Obstacles as a Woman Entrepreneur?

One of the greatest joys of being a business owner is the opportunity to create jobs and mentor individuals, helping them grow into capable insurance professionals who can support their families and their communities. However, one of the most significant challenges we face is finding dedicated individuals who are willing to learn and contribute to our mission of reaching and protecting more families.

3. Your Advice – Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation of Businesswomen?

At The Greene Group, we have embraced some guiding principles that continue to shape our journey:

- Regularly engage in prayer and reflection, or as we like to say, "send a lot of Knee-Mail to the Lord."

- Stay informed about the key metrics that drive your business and be open to adapting your strategies for growth.

- Understand that setbacks are merely steppingstones that provide new perspectives on achieving success.

- Celebrate every victory, no matter how small, with gratitude.

30/03/2025

In honor of Women's History Month, the Alcorn State University Women's Business Center is excited to highlight Women entrepreneurs in the Miss Lou area. Our fourth entrepreneur that we will be highlighting is Robbie Cade Furdge, Owner of Rolling River Reloaded.

1). How did you get started? Before I began my personal entrepreneurial journey, my dear friend was working hard to start a jewelry boutique. I decided to assist her by being one of her jewelry vendors and sales reps. By doing so, not only was I able to help my friend on her entrepreneurial journey, but I was able to see up close and personal her entrepreneurial journey. Assisting her gave me insight into the responsibilities that are associated with entrepreneurship, the dedication and commitment required for the sustainability of the business and the physical, mental and emotional strength that's needed for the task. After 18 months of assisting her, with $1.87 in the bank and a huge step of Faith, in December 2006, I launched my first official business, "Cade's Closet," a formal wear boutique located in downtown Natchez, MS. I'm sure you are wondering, how do you open a business with $1.87 in the bank? Through faith and prayer, God answered by sending what we would call in modern day times an investor. Except, the money I received wasn't an investment, it was a seed, a blessing and it was timely. GOD did THAT. Currently, I am the proud owner of eight active businesses.

(2). How have you overcome obstacles as a woman entrepreneur? As a woman of faith, it was through prayer, support from my family and community, journaling and therapy that I was able to overcome both major and minor obstacles. Refusing to let the obstacles overwhelm me, I was strategic in my methods to deal with the obstacles as they occurred and I had to learn how to take each challenge one at a time.

(3). Words of Wisdom for the next generation business woman: If you choose the entrepreneurial path and journey, some practical and spiritual elements I would encourage you to do are: Complete a market analysis because although your idea may be a great idea, is it what the market needs? (2). Research, research, research. Study your specific field of business, study its patterns and evaluate its success rate. (3). Build relationships NOW. It's imperative to start actively building relationships before you establish your business as those relationships will be essential to supporting your business and becoming potential partners or possible clients and customers. (4). Start seeking funding NOW. It's great to hear the faith journeys and the magical stories of successful businesses, but also understand that there are resources available to help you establish your business. We perish because of a lack of knowledge and what we don't know is what destroys us. (5). If you are a believer, PRAYER is key in gaining insight, direction and clarity that no workshop, seminar nor book can provide regarding your business. It's a game-changer and it's necessary.

28/03/2025

In honor of Women's History Month, the Alcorn State University Women's Business Center is excited to highlight Women entrepreneurs in the Miss Lou area. Our third entrepreneur that we will be highlighting is Monica Smith, Owner of MCove Special Occasions.

1. Your business story – How you got started?

My journey into entrepreneurship started with a heart for service and a desire to make a difference in my community. I’ve always believed in creating spaces that bring people together and supporting those who need a helping hand. That’s how MCove Special Occasions Event Venue came to life—a place where families and friends could celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. But my calling didn’t stop there. I recognized a serious need for compassionate care in our community, which led me to start Premier Personal Care and Respite Services. From there, my love for Natchez and our traditions inspired the formation of the Mystique Krewe of Natchez, blending joy, entertainment, and outreach. And after surviving breast cancer in 2014, I founded Monica’s Hope, a nonprofit supporting other cancer patients through their battles. Every venture I’ve started has grown from a place of love, purpose, and service.

2. Challenges & triumphs – How you’ve overcome obstacles as a woman entrepreneur?

One of my biggest challenges was balancing multiple responsibilities—running businesses, being a mother and “MeMe,” and serving the community. At times, it was overwhelming, especially when facing financial hurdles or skepticism from others who didn’t yet see the vision. But the biggest challenge of all came in 2014, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That journey tested everything in me. But it also sparked something deeper—it gave me Monica’s Hope, and it gave me a renewed purpose. With faith, resilience, and an incredible support system, I not only survived—I found a way to turn that pain into purpose. And today, I’ve helped over 175 families through that same fight. That’s what I call triumph.

3. Your advice – Words of wisdom for the next generation of
businesswomen?

Lead with passion and purpose. Don’t wait until the stars align to start—start where you are, with what you have. Challenges will come, but don’t let them stop you. Let them shape you. Build genuine relationships, serve your community, and never compromise your values. Remember to take care of you in the process—your time, your peace, your health matter just as much as your hustle. And above all, treat others with kindness and respect. As I always say, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). If you build your business on love, integrity, and service, success will surely follow.