James & Annelle Whitt Entrepreneurial Development Foundation

06/12/2026

It’s time to show some major love to the powerhouse, women-owned businesses that are absolutely transforming Columbia and Mid-Missouri!

Public voting is officially open for our 2026 Women Business Enterprise (WBE) of the Year!

These stellar nominees aren't just running successful shops—they are breaking barriers, building local empires, and rewriting what's possible in our community. They represent the pure grit, creative brilliance, and passion of our economy, and now they need YOUR championing to take home the crown!

How to support your favorite female founder:
1️⃣ Hit the link in our bio to head straight to our voting portal.
2️⃣ Read all about these dynamic WBE nominees and their incredible business milestones.
3️⃣ Lock in your vote!

🎟️ Let's celebrate them in style! Don't just support them behind a screen—be there to cheer them on in person! Join us at our 4th Annual SEED of Success Gala: Roots to Red Carpets this August. We are planning an unforgettable night packed with inspiration, live music, delicious food, a high-stakes live auction, and pure red-carpet glam.

Let's turn their hard-earned "roots" into a celebratory walk down the "red carpet" together. ✨

🔗 Cast your vote and secure your Gala seats today at www.jawedf.org/vote

06/12/2026

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! It’s time to celebrate, lift up, and vote for the incredible minority-owned businesses driving Columbia and Mid-Missouri forward.

Voting is officially live for our 2026 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) of the Year!

These outstanding nominees represent the heart, resilience, and economic power of our community. They have poured their passion into building their brands, and now they need YOUR support to take home the crown!

👇 How to Make Your Voice Heard:
1️⃣ Click the link in our bio to visit our voting page.
2️⃣ Read about our amazing MBE nominees and their inspiring business journeys.
3️⃣ Cast your vote for your favorite Minority Business Enterprise!

🎟️ But the celebration doesn't stop online! We want you in the room when we crown the winner live at our 4th Annual SEED of Success Gala: Roots to Red Carpets this August! Join us for a night of inspiration, live music, great food, an exciting live auction, and pure excellence.

Let’s turn their hard-earned "roots" into a walk down the "red carpet" together.

Cast your vote and grab your Gala tickets now at www.jawedf.org/vote

05/24/2026

"We were losing a lot of money because we didn’t have the right equipment for our store."

Hear that? That’s the real, raw reality of scaling a startup. When Mizzou students Dominic and Gabriella St. Jean co-founded Rush Fuel, they started out using standard household appliances. But serving nearly 600 people a week means household fridges just won’t cut it! 🥶

Through our SEED Grant, we stepped in to bridge the gap by providing:

❄️ A commercial freezer & commercial fridge to meet high-volume cooling standards.

☕ A commercial espresso machine, the ultimate winter game changer that kept business hot even on the coldest days!

Today, Rush Fuel is thriving, saving money, and employing around 15 local students around their busy class schedules. 🎓🎓

We are so incredibly proud of Dominic and the entire team for believing in their vision and doing the hard work to build their legacy. Swing by their shop, grab an acai bowl, and support local student entrepreneurs!

Tag a friend who needs a RUSHfuel run today!

04/29/2026

🎊 THE DOORS ARE OPEN! Congratulations to K&K Co.

What a phenomenal day at the Columbia Mall! 🥂 We were so honored to witness the Grand Opening of The Workshop by K&K Co. Seeing 2023 Fall SEED Grant Awardee Krystal Martin and her husband reach this milestone is a powerful testament to their relentless hard work and vision. From a brilliant idea to a beautiful storefront in the heart of our city, they are truly building their legacy, and we are thrilled to be a small part of their journey. 🧱✨

Stop by the Columbia Mall to support this incredible local business and see the craftsmanship for yourself!

04/27/2026

We’ve got some great news, we are extending the deadline for the Sharp End Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Grant to May 8, 2026! 🗓️

This grant isn’t just about funding; it’s about honoring a legacy. The SEED Grant was established to pay tribute to "The Sharp End," a vibrant Black business district in Columbia, Missouri, that served as a community nucleus from the early 1900s until its demolition during urban renewal in the 1960s.

Today, we are planting new seeds of success for Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) across Missouri.

📋 Are You Ready to Grow?
- Before receiving a SEED Grant, businesses are evaluated on:
- Business Foundations: Financial, Risk, and Tax Management.
- Brand Presence: Marketing and Branding strategies.
- Compliance: Professional Licensure.
- Community Impact: Contribution to Economic Development.
- Vision: Proposed Grant Fund Uses & Demonstration of Need.

⏳ New Deadline: May 8, 2026
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this legacy and take your business to the next level.

Apply Now: www.jawedf.org/seedgrant

04/09/2026

You are cordially invited to the 4th Annual SEED of Success Gala: Roots to Red Carpets. 🥂🎬

This isn't just the most glamorous night of the year, it’s a celebration of the resilience, innovation, and achievements of minority and women-owned businesses in Columbia and Mid-Missouri. We’re honoring how far our entrepreneurs have come (their Roots) and celebrating their arrival on the big stage (the Red Carpet).

Every ticket purchased directly supports our SEED Grant Fund, providing the capital necessary to turn local dreams into thriving realities.

The Evening’s Highlights:
- Hollywood Experience: Walk the red carpet and capture the moment in style.
- Gourmet Dining: Indulge in a premier culinary experience.
- Live Entertainment: Enjoy curated performances throughout the night.
- Auction & Raffle: Your chance to take home exclusive items while supporting a great cause.
- Elite Networking: Connect with the region’s most influential community leaders and visionaries.

📅 Event Details:
Date: August 15, 2026
Time: 6PM-9PM
Location: The Atrium on Tenth

Join us for a night where celebration meets purpose. Secure your seat at the gala and help us continue to empower the heartbeat of our local economy.

🎟️ www.jawedf.org

04/08/2026

Get your clubs ready! We are thrilled to invite you to the 4th Annual James A. Whitt Sr. Golf Tournament. This isn't just about hitting the greens, it’s about driving real economic change in our community.

Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just in it for the networking, join us for a day of spirited 18-hole competition designed to empower minority and women-owned businesses across Columbia and Mid-Missouri. Every swing you take helps fund our SEED Grant Fund, providing vital resources to local entrepreneurs.

What’s on the Course? 🏌️
- 18-Hole Tournament: A 4-player scramble format open to both men and women.
- Friendly Competition: Put your skills to the test for bragging rights and trophies.
- Hole Contests & Games: Fun on-course challenges with exciting prizes.
- Raffle Rewards: Your chance to walk away with some incredible gear and gifts.
- High-Level Networking: Connect with local business owners, community leaders, and sponsors who are making a difference.

Why We Play
Your participation goes directly toward driving economic growth and business empowerment. We're playing for the future of Mid-Missouri’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Ready to make an impact on and off the course? Reserve your spot or register your team today!

www.jawedf.org

04/07/2026

Is your mission clear, or just "corporate speak"

A great mission statement does more than sit on a website, it acts as a North Star for every decision you make. If yours feels a little blurry, it’s time to sharpen it!

Join us for our FREE Virtual Workshop where we’ll strip away the jargon and get to the heart of why your business exists. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to realign your goals, this session will give you the tools to define your purpose with precision.

📝 Workshop Details:
Topic: Strengthen Your Mission Statement
When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Online via ZOOM (Link provided upon registration)

What you’ll walk away with:
- A clear definition of your business’s core purpose.
- Answering the fundamental questions that drive your operations.
- A powerful, concise statement that resonates with your customers and team.

Ready to find your focus? Spaces are limited for this virtual session!

www.jawedf.org/workshops

03/16/2026

Entrepreneurship is one of the most rewarding paths you can take, but let’s be real, it isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes resilience, grit, and a solid roadmap. If you’re ready to put in the work, our ED 101 Workshop is where you start.

Join us on March 18th & 19th for a high level deep dive into the essentials of the game:

The Mindset: Presenting yourself as a confident business owner.

The Concept: Turning "good ideas" into actionable opportunities.

The Mechanics: The fundamentals of management and growth.

The Roadmap: Drafting a business plan that actually works.

Stop dreaming and start building. See you there! 💼✨

02/17/2026

If you’re building an empire with your significant other, you know the hustle is real, but the strain can be, too. Join us on Zoom tomorrow at 6:00 PM to learn how to scale your brand without sacrificing your relationship.

Partners in life AND business? Join our new Zoom workshops to learn how to set boundaries and strengthen your mission statement! Scaling your brand shouldn’t mean sacrificing your relationship.

Register today at www.jawedf.org/workshops to level up your partnership and your purpose! 💻✨