James & Annelle Whitt Entrepreneurial Development Foundation

James & Annelle Whitt Entrepreneurial Development Foundation To support Minority/Women Business Enterprises in the city of Columbia and surrounding areas.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved board member, Matt Moore. 🕊️❤️Matt was a true giant of ...
08/31/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved board member, Matt Moore. 🕊️❤️

Matt was a true giant of leadership, serving our foundation with unwavering integrity, humility, and heart. His dedication went far beyond our board meetings—he was a tireless advocate for the minority and women-owned businesses we serve and a champion for the entire Columbia, Missouri community. From his 38 years at Shelter Insurance to his deep work with local non-profits, Matt lived a life of faith, service, and radical generosity.

His legacy will forever be stitched into the fabric of our foundation and the countless lives and local businesses he helped uplift. Our deepest prayers and love go out to his wife, Rhonda, his children, grandchildren, and loved ones during this time.

Rest in peace, Matt. Thank you for showing us what true leadership looks like.

08/27/2026

What an absolute blast on the red carpet! ✨💃🏽

From unbelievable outfits to non-stop dancing, this year's SEED of Success Gala was officially one for the books! 🎟️🥂

Thank you to every single guest, sponsor, and volunteer who showed up to celebrate local entrepreneurs and support economic equity. We had the best time with all of you and are already buzzing for next year! See you on the red carpet in 2027! 🌟🎉

From the vibrant red-carpet arrival to the incredible energy on the dance floor, the 4th Annual SEED of Success Gala: Ro...
08/24/2026

From the vibrant red-carpet arrival to the incredible energy on the dance floor, the 4th Annual SEED of Success Gala: Roots to Red Carpets was an extraordinary success! 🌟🥂

Together, we gathered to celebrate the resilience, grit, and remarkable achievements of Mid-Missouri’s local entrepreneurs, and crowned our 2026 MBE and WBE of the Year award winners live on stage! 👑

A massive THANK YOU to our amazing guests, corporate sponsors, donors, auction contributors, table hosts, and dedicated volunteers. Your generosity and support directly power the JAWED Foundation's mission to fund SEED Grants and launch the James & Annelle Whitt Business Academy (JAWBA).

Thank you for bringing your energy, elegance, and belief in local economic equity. We are already looking forward to making next year's celebration even bigger! ✨❤️

08/24/2026

WHAT AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY ON THE FAIRWAYS!

From sunrise to the final putt on the 18th green, everyone had an absolute blast at the 4th Annual James A. Whitt Sr. Golf Classic! 🏌️‍♂️

A massive THANK YOU to all of our incredible golfers, team captains, generous sponsors, donors, and volunteers! Your competitive spirit and support directly fuel the JAWED Foundation's mission to fund SEED Grants and build local economic equity.

We are already buzzing with excitement for next year, see you on the green in 2027! ⛳️🔥

The 4th Annual James A. Whitt Sr. Golf Tournament was an absolute success, and we are still buzzing from the incredible ...
08/21/2026

The 4th Annual James A. Whitt Sr. Golf Tournament was an absolute success, and we are still buzzing from the incredible energy on the course! 🏌️‍♂️🏽✨

From the morning shotgun start to the final putts on the 18th green, today was all about friendly competition, great weather, and coming together for a purpose bigger than golf.

A massive THANK YOU to:
⛳️ Our Amazing Golfers & Team Captains: Thank you for bringing your A-game, your enthusiasm, and your competitive spirit to every hole.
🤝 Our Generous Sponsors & Hole Sponsors: Your partnership and backing make events like this possible and propel our mission forward.
❤️ Our Donors & Volunteers: Thank you for giving your time, resources, and heart to support our community.

Every swing, contest entry, and sponsorship directly fuels the JAWED Foundation's mission to launch the James & Annelle Whitt Business Academy (JAWBA) and fund vital SEED Grants for local minority- and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs).

Together, we are honoring the legacy of James A. Whitt Sr. and building a stronger, more equitable local economy.

07/30/2026

DOUBLED REVENUE & ZERO BURNOUT! ⚙

Meet Kristen Lux, owner of For The Love of Systems! 💡

Many small business owners have massive visions, but lack the operational systems to back them up, leading to endless burnout and what Kristen calls a "chaos factory". Her business helps entrepreneurs align their teams, technology, and operations so they can row in the same direction!

When For The Love of Systems pivoted their services, they needed help rediscovering their own brand identity and building a clear website.

Through our SEED Grant program, JAWEDF funded their Marketing & Brand Strategy Development, helping them launch a cohesive brand and website.

💥 The Impact? In their first full calendar year following the website relaunch, they doubled their revenue! 📈🔥

At the James & Annelle Whitt Entrepreneurial Development Foundation, we invest directly in business essentials, strategy, equipment, and training—to give local M/WBEs the confidence and tools to scale.

Drop some love for Kristen in the comments below!

07/29/2026

Are you ready to hit the green for a purpose? 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️

The countdown is ON for the 4th Annual James A. Whitt Sr. Golf Tournament! Gather your favorite foursome, polish up those clubs, and join us for an unforgettable day of friendly competition, awesome course games, and major community vibes.

Whether you’re aiming for a hole-in-one or just here for the driving range and networking, every single swing helps us reach our $100,000 fundraiser goal! 🏆 All proceeds directly fuel the SEED Grant Fund, powering local Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) across Columbia and Mid-Missouri.

Here’s the game plan:
🤝🏽 Bring your A-game
🏅 Win awesome prizes & course perks
🌱 Support local entrepreneurs building generational wealth

Team slots fill up fast, so don’t wait until you’re stuck on the waiting list! Tap the link in our bio to register your team of 4 or grab a hole sponsorship today. Let’s make moves on the fairway!

🔗 www.jawedf.org/golf

07/29/2026

From small-town roots to big-time breakthroughs, our minority and women-owned businesses are shaping the future of Columbia. Now, it’s time to dress up and celebrate their impact in style!

Join us for our 4th annual fundraiser, the SEED of Success Gala: Roots to Red Carpets. Expect a night packed with high energy, inspiring community stories, incredible food, and unforgettable moments.

🌟 When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 6:00 PM

📍 Where: The Atrium on Tenth

🎟 Grab your tickets before they sell out: www.jawedf.org/gala

07/28/2026

Big tools, big dreams, and zero wasted wood! 🪵✨

Meet Marika and Sara from Estrapala Woodworking! Through our SEED Grant program, we were able to equip them with a shiny new 3-horsepower bandsaw, and the impact is cutting-edge! From turning rare, high-end wood into stunning mirrors and butterflies to transforming tiny leftover scraps into handcrafted earrings, this upgrade has brought efficiency, confidence, and booming revenue to their shop.

At the James A. Whitt, Sr. City of Columbia Educational Opportunities & Development Foundation, we don't give out cash grants, we invest directly in business essentials (equipment, software, and training) to help M/WBEs across Columbia and Mid-Missouri scale.

Seeing small businesses thrive like this is why we do what we do. ❤️

Are you a minority or women-owned business ready to take the next step? Learn more about our SEED Grants and see how we can help equip your growth at www.jawedf.org!

📍 Featured: Estrapala Woodworking

Tag a Mid-Mo entrepreneur who needs to see this!

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!

Address

1400 Forum Boulevard Ste 7A #564
Columbia, MO
65203

Telephone

+15732892095

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