Latest news with #MinorityBusiness
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CVMSDC Invites Small Businesses to Pursue 'Accessible Connections' During Annual Business Opportunity Conference (BOC25), Aug. 3-5 in Charleston, SC
CHARLESTON, S.C., June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council will host its 48th annual Business Opportunity Conference (BOC25) on Aug. 3-5 at the Marriott Lockwood in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to a welcome reception hosted at the International African American Museum, the two-day business program will highlight the theme of Accessible Connections, in alignment with intentional efforts by The Council to make access and inclusion integral parts of doing business. This year's conference will feature a scholarship swing golf tournament, along with a series of workshops for corporate partners, small business owners and certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) – featuring keynote speakers, networking sessions, panel discussions, Open Roundtable "Business Connections" matchmaking between corporations and business owners, an artisans vendor market and an awards reception to recognize top small business performers and corporations. CVMSDC also will recognize young entrepreneurs from the student pitch competition as part of the conference and hold a free student workshop on entrepreneurship as a career path. Registration is open with $200 off for all small business owners to attend this impactful conference. The title sponsor for BOC25 is SONOCO. CVMSDC President & CEO Dominique Milton said: "True progress begins with access. At CVMSDC, we believe that making meaningful connections isn't just about networking—it's also about breaking down barriers, unlocking opportunities, and ensuring that our small business community has access to the resources they need to develop and grow their companies." Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council is a non-profit corporation chartered to enhance business opportunities for small business owners and certified MBEs by providing support through developing mutually beneficial networking opportunities with corporate partners and promoting business development through its four key pillars of advocacy, certification, connections and development. For more information or to register for BOC25, visit: View source version on Contacts Media Contact: PR PROS vk@ / (336) 362-9668
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
44 percent: Black film in Miami, Larenz Tate, Victoria Rowell and Ananda Lewis
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending one of South Florida People of Color's Awkward Dinners. This particular dinner centered on Caribbean heritage, as June is Caribbean Heritage Month, and featured a showing of Haitian-American artist Vickie Pierre's latest exhibit Vickie Pierre: The Maiden is The Warrior, which features her Poupées in the Bush series of collages. But it was her piece 'I Birthed You a World with a tear in My Heart' that captured me, displaying a youthful innocence before the world has yet revealed itself to us for how harsh and unkind it can be. The piece, in some ways, was an allegory for the stories told during the dinner conversation, which focused on Caribbean heritage and eventually gave way to Immigration and Customs Enforcement patrols and cancellation of temporary protection status for many immigrants in the United States. Some noted their parents came to America for what they perceived as more opportunity for their children, but those who were first- or second-generation immigrants felt the dream their parents were sold was a lie, as one woman put it. Others noted that there needs to be more care and attention to what is happening in their home countries, even as they make their way in the United States. But many longed for what they considered home: the ability to go back to the island that shaped them and their lineage and served as a vessel to learn about their heritage. It begs the question: What is home when you're in a country that consistently tells you you're not wanted and your home country, or your parents' land, is in such disarray that returning is not possible? INSIDE THE 305: This Haitian American funeral director makes Miami families feel seen For two decades, Evan St. Fort's funeral home has been a fixture for Haitian Americans in South Florida because of how he handles families with care, Minority Business reporter Michael Buther reports. When Miramar native Evans St. Fort opened St. Fort's Funeral Home in North Miami Beach in 2003, clients were skeptical of a funeral director still in his 20s. After sitting with him for a consultation, however, they quickly realized that St. Fort had far more experience than his youthful demeanor suggested, since St. Fort had spent his childhood watching his father manage a funeral home in Haiti. 'Clients would come and sit with me and look at me crazy because I was just 24 years old, but I knew what I was doing,' he said. 'They just couldn't believe that they were talking to someone so young.' Black Film Festival spotlights Black storytelling with a made-in-Miami film Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee's humble beginnings will be told through the film, 'The Reject,' airing at the American Black Film Festival this week. McGhee's film adds to the uptick in Black stories coming out of Miami. Herb Coleman, Miami entrepreneur who served food and his community, dies at 62 Known for serving communities through his food, Herbert 'Herb' Coleman died last month at 62. As Butler writes: Kendall entrepreneur Herbert 'Herb' Coleman thrived in the food industry for more than 30 years because of his penchant for finding solutions and connecting with people on a personal level. He had various ventures in the business, from running Nathan's Famous franchises to serving food in a mobile kitchen at the Olympics, before his death last month at age 62. OUTSIDE THE 305: Gang violence in Haiti has displaced nearly 1.3 million people. It's a new record Nearly 1.3 million Haitians have had to flee their homes, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration. As Haiti correspondent Jacqueline Charles reported: The surge is the highest number of people ever displaced by violence in Haiti, and represents a 24% increase since December, according to a recently published Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report by IOM. Former MTV VJ and talk show host Ananda Lewis dies at 52 Ananda Lewis, the beloved talk show host and MTV VJ, lost her battle with breast cancer this week. For those that grew up watching BET, we knew her as the thoughtful, kind host of Teen Summit, a series that centered the issues affecting Black youth and how to deal with them. She was a breath of fresh air at a time when we didn't always feel heard. HIGH CULTURE: Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Victoria Rowell and more at ABFF Black creators are taking center stage at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach this week, including the ever-fine Larenz Tate who will be in conversation with 'Love Jones' co-star Nia Long. Actress, producer and famed soap star Victoria Rowell is also debuting two films at the festival. We've also made a list of some films to catch if you're going. Where does 'The 44 Percent' name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter's title.
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Rivers Casino Portsmouth Plans Summer Groundbreaking for The Landing Hotel
PORTSMOUTH, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Street Gaming today announced plans to break ground on a new hotel this summer: The Landing Hotel Portsmouth. Mayor of Portsmouth Shannon Glover first shared the news during the annual Portsmouth State of the City meeting as another sign of tremendous economic momentum in the City of Portsmouth. The sold-out State of the City 2025 meeting was held in The Event Center at Rivers Casino on May 2. 'Portsmouth is on the move – and we're winning,' said Mayor Glover. 'The Landing Hotel Portsmouth is more than just a beautiful new addition to our skyline. It's a symbol of Rivers Casino's positive impact on Portsmouth and our continued rise as a regional entertainment destination.' The Landing Hotel Portsmouth is a $65 million privately funded development. The project will bring roughly 200 new temporary construction jobs and 60 new permanent positions to Rivers Casino Portsmouth. In addition to the new hospitality tax for the City of Portsmouth, the hotel is expected to drive additional local commerce and gaming, restaurant, conference, and event revenues by supporting weekend and overnight visits to the area. The Landing Hotel Portsmouth is expected to open in early 2027. 'A hotel was always part of the casino's masterplan, and we're excited to be moving forward as expected,' said Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rush Street Gaming and Rivers Casino Portsmouth. 'The Landing Hotel Portsmouth will be Rush Street's fourth casino hotel, custom-designed for the greater Hampton Roads market.' Award-Winning Architectural Design The Landing Hotel Portsmouth will be an upscale eight-story destination directly adjacent to Rivers Casino Portsmouth—overlooking the property's water feature. The hotel will have 106 well-appointed and generously sized guest rooms, including 32 expansive suites, among them two 'super suites' providing both indoor and outdoor space. Setting this property apart are spacious guestrooms and upsized suites comparable to luxury hotel brands. Suites will range from approximately 400 square feet to over 800 square feet. A sophisticated Lobby Bar is planned near the reception area on the first floor, where two private executive board rooms and other amenities will also be available. Complimentary breakfast and a sundries shop will be among the hotel's offerings. Guests of The Landing Hotel will have immediate access, via a dedicated covered corridor, to The Event Center at Rivers Casino along with eight on-property restaurants and lounges—including the popular Admiral's Steak & Seafood, an Open Table Diners' Choice winner—plus BetRivers Sportsbook, poker room and the full-service gaming floor. The architect is the award-winning KOO Architecture & Interiors of Chicago. KOO is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. A Winning Destination on Victory Boulevard 'Having a hotel fulfills the promise of an integrated destination-style casino,' said Roy Corby, general manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth. 'The Landing Hotel will make Rivers an ideal choice for weekend getaways, wedding parties, conventions and expos, business travelers, concertgoers, and sports fans alike.' The Landing Hotel Portsmouth will be independently owned and operated by Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming, which also owns and operates The Landing Hotel in Pittsburgh and Schenectady and Riversuites in Philadelphia. The Landing Hotel Portsmouth will be a non-smoking facility. Guests must be over 21 and present a photo ID to access Rivers Casino's gaming floor. For additional information and reservations, visit EDITOR'S NOTE: A Video and High-resolution renderings of The Landing Hotel Portsmouth, courtesy of KOO Architecture & Interiors of Chicago and Rush Street Gaming, are available here: TLH Renderings. Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a world-class destination located along Victory Boulevard, south of I-264. As part of Portsmouth's New Entertainment District, the complex currently features a full-service casino, poker room, BetRivers Sportsbook, event and conference venues, premier restaurants, and more. Rivers Casino Portsmouth is Virginia's first permanent casino and the latest addition to Rush Street Gaming, one of the fastest-growing casino and entertainment companies in the country. Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Des Plaines, Illinois; and Schenectady, New York. All Rush Street Gaming casinos, including Rivers Casino Portsmouth, have been voted a 'Best Place to Work' or 'Top Workplace' by their Team Members. For more information about Rivers Casino Portsmouth, including ongoing career opportunities, please visit
Miami Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
The 44 Percent: Black homeownership, Cam Ward, Sam Cooke and Ryan Coogler
In 2019, when it was reported that Quentin Tarantino structured a deal with Sony in which he would retain the rights of his film 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,' it was lauded as a rare deal only a few movers and shakers such as George Lucas ('Star Wars' franchise) and Mel Gibson ('The Passion of the Christ') secure for themselves. One article goes on to list a litany of white male directors who have made this deal. This is why the reported passive-aggressive responses to filmmaker Ryan Coogler inking a similar deal for his blockbuster film 'Sinners' are jarring by comparison. Instead of being welcomed into a rare club, Coogler has been met with the coded language of 'dangerous' and other bad faith framing that suggests because this particular person (read: Black) made these asks and they were met, it sets a bad precedent for other filmmakers and studios. Still, ownership for Black people means something. We know if we buy a home, it is not just a place of comfort it is a means of accumulating generational wealth. Similarly, some Black business owners know they have the independence of setting their own hours and not answering to a boss, board of directors or figurehead, and, again, is a means of accumulating generational wealth. So, the coded language used to criticize, question and undermine Coogler is intended to dissuade other Black filmmakers from pursuing the same deals that white counterparts have already been granted. It also seeks to simply put a 'Black boy' in his place. What Coogler showed through his deal is that ownership is necessary for our Black communities to thrive. And at a time when there are individuals seeking to stymie Black people's efforts to grow, it's important now more than ever to seek ownership as often as we can and in creative ways. INSIDE THE 305: Black South Floridians struggle to buy and keep homes in Miami's gentrifying communities Minority Business reporter Michael Butler and I worked on a story about the struggles of Black homeownership in South Florida. Whether it's buying a home or holding onto a legacy home, these Black families spoke to the challenges faced in a tense South Florida housing market. Partnership between Black-owned app and bank helps Miami renters build credit Low credit scores have traditionally been a barrier for Black families obtaining home loans. But Black-owned bank, OneUnited, and credit reporting app Esusu hope to change that. As Butler reported, the goal is to help renters build their credit score based on their positive rental histories. Esusu will report the monthly rental payments to the credit bureaus to help them build credit. 'Historically, it has not been included,'OneUnited Bank CEO Teri Williams told the Miami Herald. 'They ding you when you pay your credit card 30 days late, but you may still be paying your rent every month on time.' All Cam Ward needed 'was a chance.' Now, he will likely be the top pick in the NFL Draft Cam Ward consistently bet on himself. It has now led him to be the likely top pick in the NFL Draft, making him the third Miami Hurricanes player to be selected No. 1 overall, UM Hurricanes reporter Jordan McPherson writes. As McPherson reports: It will be Ward's latest ascent in a career full of ascension. But as the stage got bigger and the lights got brighter, Ward never let it faze him. 'It just goes back to me not forgetting where I came from,' Ward said. 'I carry myself in a certain type of way. All I want to do is play football and be with my teammates. So long as I be a good person, it'll work out the long run.' OUTSIDE THE 305: Tina Knowles Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis And Shares 1 Important Lesson In a vulnerable interview with CBS Morning News' Gayle King, Tina Knowles, mother to singers Beyonce and Solange, revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer. 'It was stage 1, which I thought was the earliest stage, and when I told my sister she said, 'No, there's a zero,'' Knowles told King. Knowles said it might have been caught sooner had she not missed her mammogram due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview is part of Knowles' press run for new book 'Matriarch,' released on Tuesday. Knowles does not have a stop in Florida during her book tour, but those interested can find more about her book here. With heart and history, FSU Legend Charlie Ward steps into role at FAMU Heisman trophy winner and Florida State University dynamo Charlie Ward detailed his plans for FAMU's basketball program at a press conference formally introducing him as the Rattlers' head coach, FSU Seminoles on SI reported. 'Our goal as a program would be to focus on the whole athlete by providing them opportunities and professional development, community outreach, team bonding, and being leaders on campus. We will develop men of character and integrity so they can reach whatever goal they set,' Ward continued. 'I'm committed to building a team that competes hard, plays with discipline, and represents FAMU with pride.' HIGH CULTURE: Hampton Art Lovers Presents: Jazz Under a Simple Tree: Live @ Harlem Square (1963) Recorded in 1963 in Overtown, Sam Cooke's 'Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963' is heralded as one of the best live albums. And Thursday, jazz lovers can hear the sounds of Cooke as Miami group Old Skool Gang performs the full live recording at the Historic Ward Rooming House Gallery at 249 NW 9th Street in Overtown. The event starts at 7 p.m.
