Richey Workforce Inspires

10/24/2026

🎉🎂 HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY, ERIC! 🎂🎉

Today we celebrate 12 amazing years of our son, Eric! ❤️ Watching you grow into the smart, funny, talented and incredible young man you are becoming has been one of our greatest blessings.

We pray that this next year is filled with God’s favor, protection, wisdom and so many unforgettable memories. Keep being YOU, keep dreaming big and always remember that there is nothing you cannot accomplish with God on your side. 🙏🏾💙

We love you! 🥳🎈🎮

09/11/2026

Some moments you don't rush through. You simply take them in.

Last night was one of those moments.
To be recognized as a Top 3 Finalist at the FSU Entrepreneurial Impact Awards was truly an honor, but what made the evening so special was the experience itself.

Being back at Fayetteville State University. Being surrounded by entrepreneurs, leaders, visionaries, family, and community. Hearing the stories. Seeing what is being built. And having the opportunity to simply be present and appreciate the moment.

It reminded me how important it is to pause long enough to recognize what God has already done while still making room for where He's leading next.
I'm grateful for every relationship, every opportunity, every lesson, and every door that has been part of this journey.

Thank you to Fayetteville State University and everyone who made the evening so special. And congratulations to all of the entrepreneurs who were recognized and celebrated.

What a beautiful evening. 💙🤍

Kim Person
Annie McDowell Knowlin

09/08/2026

🎉💙 TOP 3 FINALIST! 💙🎉

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Last week, I received a call that caused me to pause and reflect.

I had just left from pouring into a group of entrepreneurs sharing, teaching, encouraging, and discussing what it really means to build something with purpose, create opportunities, navigate entrepreneurship, and keep moving forward even when the journey doesn't always look the way you imagined.

And then my phone rang.

I learned that I had been selected as one of the TOP 3 FINALISTS for Fayetteville State University's Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 💙

There was something incredibly meaningful about receiving that call at that particular moment.

Because entrepreneurship, for me, has never just been about building businesses.
It has been about building people. Creating opportunities. Opening doors. Sharing what I've learned. And helping someone else see what is possible for their own life, business, and future.
And Fayetteville State University is part of the foundation of that journey.

Long before the businesses, contracts, classrooms, trainings, book, awards, or opportunities, I was a student at FSU with a vision for my life that was still unfolding.

I couldn't see every room I would eventually enter.

I couldn't see every entrepreneur I would have the privilege of pouring into.

I couldn't see the businesses I would build, the people I would employ, the students I would teach, or the communities I would have an opportunity to serve.

But God knew.

And now, to be recognized by the university that helped prepare me for the journey makes this moment incredibly special.

It is truly an honor to stand as one of three finalists for the Fayetteville State University Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Fayetteville State University

09/04/2026

Still reflecting on the connections and conversations from Moving Forward With Purpose 2026.

One of the things I value most about opportunities like this is the community. Being in a room with women who are building businesses, leading organizations, creating opportunities, and supporting one another is always meaningful.

I’m grateful for the new connections, the familiar faces, and the conversations that continue long after the event is over.

There is so much value in being intentional about the rooms we enter and the relationships we build along the journey.

Grateful for the Women’s Business Center community and another opportunity to connect with incredible women in business across North Carolina.

Women’s Business Center of North Carolina - WBCNC
Jessica Booker

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸

One of the highlights of my professional journey has been the opportunity to travel to our nation’s capital for government contracting training, professional development, and meaningful connection with an incredible GovCon community.

There is something powerful about being in rooms with business owners, industry professionals, government leaders, and experts who are committed to strengthening the small business and government contracting ecosystem.

The knowledge gained, relationships built, and conversations shared have continued to contribute to my growth as an entrepreneur and government contractor.

As I reflect on the journey, I’m grateful for the community, grateful for the growth, and grateful for every opportunity to continue learning, building, and expanding our impact.

Looking forward to returning to Washington, D.C. next year. 🇺🇸

Minority GovCon Summit
Latasha Brooks

09/01/2026

I DID IT!!! 😭📚🙌🏽

8.31.26 — MY BOOK IS OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED!

I set a goal to get this manuscript across the finish line by August 31st, and with just a few hours left on the clock… DONE! ✅

Not still writing it.
Not still planning it.
Not still talking about it.

PUBLISHED. 🎉

Whew! The edits, rewrites, formatting, late nights, second thoughts, and plenty of “let me look at this ONE more time.” 😂 But I kept going.

And now I’m sitting here looking at the words:

“Congratulations! Your Book was successfully published!”

God, THANK YOU. 🙌🏽❤️

Now comes the moment I’ve been waiting for…

Holding MY BOOK in my hands. 😭📖

AUTHOR has officially been added to the résumé! ✍🏽🔥

More details coming soon… 👀📚✨

08/31/2026

It is truly an honor to do this work and pour into the next generation. 💙💚

People often ask me, “Jessica, what exactly do you do?” Well… I get to take the work I do every day in business, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and marketing and bring it directly into the classroom.
This fall semester, I have the privilege of teaching more than 160 students, and we are already off to an awesome start!

Today, we’re talking about the 4 Ps of Marketing: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion but not just from a textbook. We’re connecting those concepts to real businesses, real customers, and real-world decisions.
That’s one of my favorite parts of teaching: helping students see how what they’re learning in the classroom shows up in the marketplace every single day.

It’s an honor to teach. It’s an honor to pour. And it’s an honor to help prepare the next generation for what’s ahead. ❤️

08/31/2026

It was an honor to serve as a panelist for the “Profit Outside the Box” panel at the Moving Forward with Purpose Conference hosted by Women’s Business Center of North Carolina - WBCNC.

From the conversations on the panel to the connections made throughout the day, the entire experience was a reminder of the power of being in the right rooms, sharing what you know, and being open to learning from those around you.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a little of my journey, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and the wisdom that has come from simply doing the work.
Through it all, I give God the glory. When I look at the opportunities, relationships, and doors that continue to open, I don’t take any of it for granted.

Grateful for the opportunity, the connections, and the journey. Excited about what’s ahead. ❤️

08/21/2026

We’re officially ONE WEEK away from the Moving Forward With Purpose Conference!

On August 28th, we’re coming together in Raleigh for conversations around business, wealth, investing, growth, and what it really looks like to move forward with intention.

I’m honored to be joining the panel for Profit Outside the Box: Invest Smarter. Build Stronger. Live Wealthier.
Whether you’re building a business, growing your career, thinking differently about your money, or simply ready for your next level there’s something in the room for you.

📍 Raleigh, NC
📅 August 28th
Get your ticket and come join us! I’ll see you there. ❤️

https://theinstitutenc.org/mfwp26?utm_source

Women’s Business Center of North Carolina - WBCNC
National Institute of Minority Economic Development