Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - February 23, 2024 Issue

Bbees Catering serves up southern cooking with a touch of class with new food truck for the community

Local Chef and Caterer Brey Walton (AKA: Chef Brey) always knew she was destined to do something in the food industry.

A 2019 graduate of Grossmont College's acclaimed culinary art school in San Diego, California, the Philadelphia native began her journey by simply offering her food to whoever was interested.

“My dream was to open up a restaurant and I would actually go around to different businesses giving

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

Local Chef and Caterer Brey Walton is bringing her food to the community with the launch of her new food truck Gourmet

Galore which can be found on a rotating schedule at Haymount Truck Stop.

DECEMBER

HARNETT COUNTY DEC. 2023: 3.6%

SAME AS DEC. 2022: 3.6%

HOKE COUNTY DEC. 2023: 4.2%

DOWN FROM DEC. 2022: 4.4%

MOORE COUNTY DEC. 2023: 3.1%

SAME AS DEC. 2022: 3.1%

SAMPSON COUNTY DEC. 2023: 3.2%

ROBESON COUNTY DEC. 2023: 4.7% SAME AS DEC. 2022: 4.7%

BLADEN COUNTY DEC. 2023: 3.9%

DOWN FROM DEC. 2022: 4.0%

4424 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

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bizfayetteville.com

PUBLISHER

Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com

EDITOR

Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kate Griffin

Diana Hansen

Thomas Manning

Jenna Shackelford

Rachel Townsend

Eddie Velazquez

CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARKETING CONTENT

Stacie Borrello

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER

Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Marshall Waren marketing@bizfayetteville.com

ACCOUNTING

Priscilla Nelson billing@bizfayetteville

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.

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In order of importance…

What’s most important to you? This question has been popping up in recent news stories, social media posts and the like that I have recently been reading.

Of course, I (I, with arrogant emphasis) know what’s most important to me. But do I? Do you? Do your actions tell others what’s most important to you?

I decided to Google the question. Here’s Google’s list of answers to the question of what’s most important:

Friends Health

Family

Love

Purpose

Time

Education Relationships

Wellness Freedom

Hard work

Income

jTAKING AN INTROSPECTIVE LOOK AT OUR OWN GOALS, VALUES AND PRIORITIES IS A GOOD WAY TO REMIND OURSELVES WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE.

These are interesting responses. I think some of them are important. But what is most important?

Influence and power Peace

Personal growth

We are all actively engaged in daily pursuit of what we believe is most important. We hope the collective sum of our daily, weekly, monthly and yes, yearly actions are moving us closer to what we believe. At Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, we have tried to stay on message about what’s most important in our coverage area about business. Our POWER BREAKFAST ON LEAP DAY, FEB. 29, is another action we have taken to make sure we are delivering relevant business information to our readers and attendees. It’s not too late to join us.

I LEARN MORE AT www.FayettevillePowerBreakfast.com.

As we all seek out what’s most important, one truth remains at the top of just about everyone’s list and that would be friends, family and relationships — collectively defined as others. We hope that our focus in this issue on Black owned businesses brings value to our friends in this community who have overcome obstacles and are succeeding.

And finally, we are all seeking truth, right? It seems harder to uncover that these days. It was a bit disheartening to see that faith in God was nowhere in this Google list as most important. I hope and pray that my collective actions will follow what I believe is most important.

God bless you and yours!

BUSINESS EDUCATION

Ready for takeoff

FSU PARTNERS WITH AIR UNIVERSITY TO ADVANCE AIR & SPACE FORCE EDUCATION

Fayetteville State University is partnering with the U.S. Air Force’s AIR University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative Program (AU-ABC) to advance educational opportunities for enlisted Airmen and Space Professionals beginning with second 8-week courses this spring.

“We take great pride in being an institution supporting the individuals protecting our nation,” said FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison in a press release. “An unprecedented partnership of this kind not only removes barriers for service men and women who seek accessible and affordable academic degree programs at Fayetteville State University, but it underscores, once again, our determination of preserving our highlyranked status as a military-friendly institution.”

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is the only HBCU currently approved to participate in the AU-ABC program, joining more

than 100 institutions offering 350 programs to Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) graduates seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree. For the past five years, the AU-ABC program graduated about 6,400 students from partnering institutions annually.

“Air University provides Airmen with many educational and developmental touchpoints throughout their careers to enhance the military readiness and lethality of our joint force. This partnership with Fayetteville State University only increases the flexibility and ability for our Airmen to access the quality education they need to develop and serve our Nation,” said Lt. Col. Thomas P. Talafuse, Community College of the Air Force commander and commandant in a press release.

The AU-ABC connects the CCAF with four-year institutions where currently serving members of the Air Force, Space Force, Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard can

earn their bachelor’s degree online. It has helped thousands of Airmen pursue and complete their higher education goals with a jumpstart from the completion of their associate degree. Partnering with military friendly institutions, the program maximizes application of military career education and training.

FSU has offered free tuition to qualifying military-affiliated students through the military tuition schol-

arship since 2022 to reduce financial barriers for military connected individuals with no access to Department of Defense (DOD) tuition assistance. Active duty, members of the National Guard or Reserves with an honorable discharge, military spouses of active-duty service members or Veterans, children or other recognized legal dependents of active-duty service members or Veterans qualify for the military tuition scholarship. Approximately 33 percent of FSU’s nearly 7,000 students are military affiliated.

“The infrastructure FSU leadership has implemented supports our efforts to focus on active-duty military and military-connected individuals and families,” said Monica Leach, Ed.D., provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs in a press release. “We are honored to have the opportunity to assist Airmen on their quest for bachelor’s degree completion.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

>> By Faith Hatton

From FLAVORS, page 1

them samples of banana pudding and stuff like that,” shared Walton about her early days.

Now the owner of Bbees Catering LLC in Fayetteville, chef Walton specializes in gourmet- style food with creations that are described as “a harmonious blend of heartwarming traditions and contemporary elegance.” However, her journey to becoming a chef wasn’t as straightforward as one would expect.

“I didn’t feel like I was accomplishing anything, it wasn’t going anywhere, so then I went to dental assistant school. I changed the whole [game]. I finished that, moved here to Fayetteville and got a job as a dental assistant and that didn’t work out so, I started doing nails. I went to school to become a nail tech,” shared Walton.

While on the hunt to find the right path for her, Walton was drawn back to the love of cooking good food in late 2022 when she was asked to cater a bridal shower which became a huge success. Following that one ‘life changing event’ Walton soon found herself being asked to cater more and more consistently.

“It just went full circle, because I was meant to work in food and then catering lead to so many opportunities all over the state of North Carolina and I did weddings which are my personal favorites, I love weddings,” she shared.

That same demand led Walton to think about expanding in a sustainable way. Instead of a full-fledged

restaurant as she had originally dreamed, she began to think smaller, looking for something more adaptable to her life and needs.

“Catering is really intensive, it’s a lot to cook for 100-200 people at one time, so once I got the hang of catering, I thought ‘Ok, maybe on the days that I don’t cater, I can get a food truck.’ And when I look back, I think ‘Okay, I wanted a restaurant, and this is a restaurant on wheels.’ So, it might not be an actual brick and mortar store, but honestly, I think that’s better, because I can go wherever and I can make my own schedule weekly or daily,” shared Walton.

Walton’s food truck “Gourmet Galore” officially launched on Jan. 15, 2024, at Haymount Truck Stop. A new addition to Fayetteville's food truck scene, the truck takes Walton’s love of southern comfort foods and combines them with her own unique flair. While she will continue catering, Walton shared that this new outlet for her work provides the best of both worlds.

“I‘m going to stick with my catering menu and a few other things, but I wanted to do soul food because that’s what I’m best at,” shared Walton.

With a menu featuring items such as chicken wings, mac and cheese, BBQ meatballs and fried chicken, more Chef Brey-unique offerings are available in the form of soul food egg rolls and more. “I have soul food rolls which are egg rolls with candied yams, collard greens and baked mac and cheese inside

and they are deep fried and drizzled with yam sauce. I also have collard green rolls, which are just collards on the inside, and you dip them in a sweet Thai chili sauce and my baked macaroni is really creamy, everyone loves my baked macaroni,” shared Walton.

While the food truck is still new, Walton shared that her next step is to train new staff members to work for her. With one assistant on board with her already, the next goal is to hire a dishwasher and another part time position, she’s also looking to hire someone to develop a company website for her. As for her dreams of having a full-fledged restaurant operation, for now she is focused on enjoying the present and not worrying about the future.

“After the food truck, I really don’t have anything. That’s just my

focus right now. I might get into something totally different and start that as a business. I know I won’t stop here because I’m just not that type of person where I’m just content. I always have to keep doing more and leveling up,” concluded Walton.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GFBJ

Top: The ever popular sweet glazed salmon (served with zucchini and squash and baked mac and cheese) is one of the entrée options at the Gourmet Galore food truck.

Bottom Left: Walton shared that her baked macaroni, yams and chicken wings are her favorite items to cook.

For information about Bbees Catering and the food truck schedule, you can follow Chef Brey on the businesses’ Facebook page @Bbees Catering and on Instagram at bbees.catering.

ACHIEVERS

Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County announces new staff

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County has welcomed two new additions to its staff over the past several months.

On Jul. 17, 2023, the Arts Council hired KASHIA KNIGHT to fill a brandnew position of Grants Assistant for the organization. Knight is a U.S. Army Veteran who also has four years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. As both a Veteran and a child of a military service member herself, she is already well acquainted with military-centric cities like Fayetteville.

“I love the arts, because I’m a consummate artist myself; I love helping folks find the funding they need for their own artistic passions,” Knight stated in a press release. She is already an ambassador for the Arts Council’s Grants Department. “The funding is here. All [artists] have to do is believe in themselves and apply and we will guide them every step of the way to see that their vision is actualized.”

On Jan. 8, 2024, MILES MCKELLER-SMITH joined the Arts Council’s team as its Director of Public Relations. McKeller-Smith is an alumnus of Jack Britt High School who went on to obtain his Bachelor of Arts in Communications, specializing in media, from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. He then furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.

“From the Grants Department to the exhibitions we curate to our Artists In Schools program, we have really good opportunities to educate the public and stakeholders even more on what a great resource the Arts Council is to the community and in my new role, I want to focus on more ways the Arts Council can partner with the community, supporting and working with the artists who are already here,” expressed McKeller-Smith in a press release.

FSU student places first in 2024 PNC North Carolina HBCU Pitch Competition

On Feb. 7, 2024, PNC hosted the

What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.

To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”

second PNC North Carolina HBCU Pitch Competition, with student-entrepreneur TYSHAWN ADAMS representing Fayetteville State University placing first. Adams will receive a $3,000 cash prize for his pitch, TimeCRFT, the mission of which is “to empower students to experience college at their highest potential through cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation and accountability techniques with groundbreaking education-technology solutions.”

The competition was held at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro. Throughout the day, the 15 student participants engaged with national and regional PNC executives.

Prizewinners were selected from an entrant pool of 10 student-entrepreneur teams by a multi-disciplinary panel of judges. Participating teams, which were selected by their respective institutions, were evaluated on the quality and clarity of content, feasibility and long-term prospects for the viability and success of the concept or solution pitched, organization and ‘wow’ factor of the presentation and responses to judges’ questions.

Fayetteville proprietor

Nancy Schenk named BVL Board Chair

NANCY SCHENK of Fayetteville, N.C., has been named Board Chair of BVL (Bowlers To Veterans Link), a national 501c3 charity dedicated to funding recreation therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of Veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Schenk, who joined the BVL Board in 2022, is the owner and GM of B&B Bowling Lanes in Fayetteville and previously served as

president of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America from 2016-18. Schenk joined her father Howard Baum in the BPAA Hall of Fame in 2022 when she also received the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal from BPAA.

“It is an honor to be selected to chair the BVL Board,” said Schenk in a press release. “I look forward to serving with BVL’s amazing board to continue growing our financial support and providing essential recreation therapy opportunities for America’s 19 million Veterans.”

Schenk, who is the daughter of a Veteran, grew up in Fayetteville which is also the home of Fort Liberty. “I understand what Veterans have done for this country and they deserve our unwavering support and gratitude. It’s a privilege to be part of BVL’s mission to always be there for those who have served,” continued Schenk in a press release.

Hope Mills Board of Commissioners appoint Town Manager

The Hope Mills Mayor and Board of Commissioners are pleased to announce that Mr. CHANCER F. MCLAUGHLIN is the new Town Manager for the Town of Hope Mills.

As a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Chancer is the first African American Town Manager in the history of Hope Mills.

His employment contract was approved at the Feb. 5, 2024 Board Meeting by unanimous vote which ensures a smooth transition as he has served as the Interim Town Manager since Feb. 6, 2023.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to raise the standard of excellence for the Town

of Hope Mills and I am eager to serve the citizens of this wonderful place on earth” shared Chancer in a press release. “My experience and knowledge as a leader in this area will complement my partnership within the overall surrounding community and I am excited to continue to build a strong sense of loyalty, greatness and commitment within our staff.”

In addition to interim, he previously served as the planning director, economic development director, as well as the development services director and has been very successful at managing the growth and development for Hope Mills.

DistiNCtly Fayetteville welcomes new sales and marketing leaders

DistiNCtly Fayetteville is proud to announce the addition of two new directors to its staff, adding extensive experience in travel and tourism to the bureau. The Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) will welcome RACHEL OBERMEIER as its director of sales and MELODY FOOTE as the director of marketing, both started in early February. Both Obermeier and Foote boast more than 20 years of experience in the tourism industry and will be integral in DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s mission to position Cumberland County as an attractive tourism destination.

As the director of sales, Obermeier will be responsible for the DMO’s efforts to market and position the Fayetteville area as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and sporting events.

Bringing extensive communications experience, Foote, director of marketing, will oversee the DMO’s marketing and promotional efforts. Foote began her career with DistiNCtly Fayetteville in 2001 working on behalf of the organization for 20 years as director of communications before transitioning to other communications roles. She also authored the book,“100 Things to Do in Fayetteville Before You Die.”

Schenk

McLaughlin

Knight

McKeller-Smith

Adams

Obermeier

Foote

All for The Juice

FAYETTEVILLE STATE STUDENT LAUNCHES THE JUICE LLC TO SPREAD HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Justin Pruitt has to manage a busy schedule. The 19 year-old from Colorado has a full-course load at Fayetteville State University, where he is also a defensive back for the Broncos football team. He has to follow the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s (NCAA) rigorous practice schedule to be ready to lock down opposing wide receivers on Saturday.

But perhaps the most impressive –and what Pruitt would say is the most important part of his busy schedule – is that he owns and manages up and coming brand The Juice, a line of environmentally conscious, vegan, organic wellness products.

“The Juice,” the product the brand is named after, is an organic and vegan hair growth oil, specially formulated with eight herbs, including rosemary, rose petals and lavender. It also contains five different natural oils, including coconut, grape seed, tea tree, jojoba and olive.

“This formula helps promote healthy hair growth and nourishment,” Pruitt said. “I formulated my product to work with all types of hair, all types of people.”

Pruitt also manufactures and sells two healing-infused body butters with pumpkin spice and peppermint bark scents.

Pruitt’s products are at two stores in Fayetteville – Curate Essentials and Divine Doula Goddess.

His next step is to continue expanding into other historically Black colleges and universities.

“My target market is really the college environment.That’s really

“

I want to be an inspiration to my generation. We are not just entertainers, we are business owners, we create our own legacies.”

— Justin Pruitt Owner, The Juice

to come to. I have a lot of ideas and visions. I’m just trying to really bring it all together,” said Pruitt.

In the end, Pruitt’s vision is to inspire a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, by providing a successful model of a Black business leader, something he said he did not see much of growing up.

where I usually sell my product and that’s how I really started,” Pruitt said. “I am at an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), so it naturally became my target market of people,” Pruitt said.

He shared that the idea for his products came from his mother’s battle with cancer and the adversities she overcame. Pruitt said he researched the effects harmful chemicals can have on people, including research on increased risks of cancer.

“Once I started really looking into what we eat nowadays, what we drink, what we put in our body, it all kind of made sense to me,” he said. “I wanted to create something that could find a solution for those problems. That is what we do as entrepreneurs. We find a solution to problems.

I saw that there was a problem within our communities within the world, so I wanted to create a solution and that is why I wanted to choose vegan and organic products.”

Pruitt’s path to entrepreneurship was forged when he worked at a Chick Fil-A.

“I started my brand because I

wanted to improve my reality and escape the grind of the 9 to 5 job,” Pruitt said. “With dedication, discipline and consistency I know I will accomplish all my goals and manifestations in due time.”

That is where he learned to take risks.

“I saved money from that job to start my business,” he said. “I tried making my first batch of the products and I burnt it all. I had just wasted $400. After that, I made another batch and it went perfectly. It was like the perfect formula. I had found my recipe and I loved it. I made all the money back and more. That taught me to take calculated risks.”

The natural evolution for The Juice, Pruitt says, will be to have it sold in different stores and to manufacture a whole line of holistic and environmentally friendly products. Beyond that, he would like to create a holistic health center.

“I want to be able to create my own holistic health center and heal people around the world. That might be traveling to help people heal, or it might be creating a retreat for people

“In our generation, African American people are really seen as rappers, comedians, athletes or entertainers. We don’t see a lot of our people represented in the entrepreneur community,” Pruitt said. “My goal was to go and create a line for people to be represented in a positive way. I want to be an inspiration to my generation. We are not just entertainers, we are business owners, we create our own legacies.”

Pruitt said he has found his own identity in his work.

“I found my identity outside of being an athlete and I found my identity through my business and my purpose. That is to inspire and help the next generation heal,” he concluded.

The Juice’s website can be found at: www.sites.google.com/view/the-juicellc/home

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JUSTIN PRUITT/ TAKEN BY JENSHOTIT

Top: Pruitt stands beside his products located inside of local shop Curate Essentials.

Top Right: “The Juice,” the product the brand is named after, is an organic and vegan hair growth oil, specially formulated with eight herbs, including rosemary, rose petals and lavender.

>> By Stephanie Meador

WTaking initiative

WITH A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR IN FAYETTEVILLE UNDER THEIR BELT, THE TULSA INITIATIVE LOOKS TOWARD FUTURE GROWTH

ith a mission to empower Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams, the Tulsa Initiative moved into their Fayetteville office located at 109 Hay St. in February of 2023. Now with a year of successful programming under their belt, the sky’s the limit for this Black owned business.

“From early on, looking at what Fayetteville is doing around entrepreneurship, [and for] minority entrepreneurs, our expectation was that we would come here [and] that people here would be hungry to grow into entrepreneurship and take advantage of the resources, and I think our expectations were met. When we [got] here we were welcomed by a community that was ready to grow, ready to transform,” remarked Executive Director Qu’Derrick R. Covington.

Covington shared that the preexisting support for local entrepreneurs being provided by organizations in the area helped to make The Tulsa Initiative’s transition into the community even smoother. Fayetteville’s young people continue to prove eager to take advantage of these entrepreneurial opportunities.

“When you look at the appetite of this younger generation, of the demographic that we work with – 18 to 26 – that’s fired up around entrepreneurship, it simply exceeded, I think, what we had initially thought. So our experience here has been amazing,” stated Covington.

Some of the organization’s highlights in serving the Fayetteville community in 2023 include:

excited about is a new collaboration with the Cumberland County Diversion Court program.

“So young men who may have gotten in trouble with the law more recently, or had a run in at school, through this new partnership they will have the opportunity to come through our program. And by coming through our program they will not have to face charges in the criminal justice arena. So we’re super excited about this new partnership with Cumberland County Diversion Court in working with these young men, and we’re looking to roll that out while marrying it with our Tulsa Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academy to give these young men [the] opportunity to be around some like minded entrepreneurs and help them along their journey,” Covington explained.

The Tulsa Initiative also recently partnered with Methodist University’s office of Diversity & Inclusion to do programming, with some of their BIPOC students around entrepreneurship.

school students from Cumberland and Hoke County schools through The Fayetteville Youth Summit and The Keys to Success Male Mixer

 More than 30 college aged students showcased their business ideas at The Tulsa Initiative Pop-Up and Pitch Program

 Awarded $7.5k in startup funds

Additionally, The Tulsa Initiative successfully engaged 18 young men in their flagship program, The Tulsa Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academy. This academy is a 13 week program for BIPOC individuals between the ages of 18 to 26. Each week a different speaker was brought in and those speakers this year included an executive vice president from Meta, the chief of staff of the technology division from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and a number of local entrepreneurs here in the city of Fayetteville.

Through their partnership with AWS, Tulsa Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academy participants were given the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to AWS’s office

to meet with their innovation staff.

“It’s been super beneficial to get our young men from Fayetteville that attention on a global scale with a major tech company to help them grow their business,” remarked Covington.

Now going into 2024 full steam ahead, Covington shared some of The Tulsa Initiative's plans for growing their programming and reaching even more people.

“Going into 2024 we wanted to make sure that we had some new initiatives that we really identify with… and so part of that was the Tulsa Initiative Endowment with Cumberland Community Foundation. And that was important because one, we wanted to make sure that we're positioning the organization for long term sustainability and success, and we wanted to have an opportunity for community members to really support the work that we are doing through the foundation through an endowment,” explained Covington.

With the new year comes new partnerships. Covington shared that something he and his team are super

Some of the organization's successful programs from the previous year will be returning as well.

The Fayetteville Youth Summit is slated to be held on April 17 in partnership with Cumberland County Schools.

Covington emphasized that the goal for 2024 is to continue scaling the services that they offer and to continue making an impact.

“When you look at the fact that we engaged over 600 youth through our Fayetteville Youth Summit and Keys to Success Male Summit, it’s like, ‘Hey we engaged 600, how can we get that to, this year, maybe engaging 700?’ So just scaling that impact…” remarked Covington.

To learn more about The Tulsa Initiative and the resources they provide to young entrepreneurs go to www.tulsanonprofit. org or check out their Facebook: www.facebook.com/tulsanonprofit.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TULSA INITIATIVE

Top: The Tulsa Initiative Gala and Pitch Competition, held Dec. 2, 2023, had over 200 people in attendance.

Bottom: Justin Pruitt (center left) & Jaelan Rainey (center right) showcased their innovative business ideas at the Tulsa Initiative Gala and Pitch Competition. The event served as a culmination of both of the young men’s 13-week journeys in the Tulsa Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academy.

>> By Kate Griffin

Book Black Women Inc.

ORGANIZATION CREATES SPACE FOR LOCAL BLACK WOMEN IN THE ARTS

Slam poetry, stage productions, concerts and more, Book Black Women showcases all the artistic skill and talent the Black women of the Fayetteville and North Carolina area have to offer.

“Being a Black woman in the arts, it can be difficult, it moves at a slower pace when it comes to things that are progressing everywhere else in the world,” said Ayana Washington, sole founder and CEO of Book Black Women. “Black women have a tough time, we get boxed in, there are certain roles we can’t access.”

“Book Black Women is a performance entity unlike any other,” Washington added. Washington’s extensive background in the arts as a thespian and actress has laid the necessary foundation and know-how to kickstart and cultivate a performance organization unique in its field. “Anything to do with the arts is what I’m curating,” said Washington. “To give Black women a chance to try something different.”

Book Black Women bears no shortage of exciting upcoming events. These include YaYa’s Amateur Night at Seabrook Auditorium on March 21 and a Juneteenth Block Party happening on Maxwell Street June 22. Washington’s origi-

“

To give Black women a chance to try something different.”

— Ayana Washington CEO, Book Black Women Inc.

nal work “400 Years: The Evolution of Black America” is coming again to Seabrook Auditorium June 19 and 20.

“It’s so different to direct something that someone else has written and putting your own spin on that, but it’s a whole different beast to

share something that’s original and see how that’s received,” said Washington. “But the people loved it, so that was my proudest moment, giving something to the public and having them like it!”

The first event was in February of 2022, a concert entitled “Four Women” at SkyView on Hay in downtown Fayetteville.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be as well received as it was, I didn’t know what this business was going to grow into,” said Washington. “People wanted more, so I just try to keep it going.”

Since then, Book Black Women has made numerous ventures with partnerships and events like different concerts, slam poetry night and more. Book Black Women has partnered with No Longer Bound Entertainment, Fayetteville State University, the Culture and Heritage Alliance and more to offer Fayetteville high quality artistic events and resources. Book Black Women expertly does its part in remedying the lack of recognition of Black female artists in the community.

“I create the event, let Black women bring their art to that event, the audience comes and sees something that they don’t see often here,”

said Washington. “I think it shifts the way people think.”

Washington has events in the works for the future as well, including a concert series entitled ‘Black in Broadway.’ “It’s going to be all types of music and shows that we would never get, when I say ‘we’, I mean Black women would never get cast for,” said Washington. “It’s gonna be just that: songs you wouldn’t normally get to hear Black women singing.”

The organization also offers dance, voice and acting classes and hosts audition opportunities for stage productions. It’s an all in one space for Black women to learn necessary skills and branch out. Book Black Women helps keep the arts alive and shines a well-deserved light on the excellence of the community, while offering opportunities to learn, grow and network.

Potential future clients and other parties interested are encouraged to swing by the website, bookblackwomen.org or reach out via email info@bookblackwomen.org for more information on client services, classes, partnerships and connections and event coordinating. Donation and collaboration opportunities are available under the ‘connect’ tab

on the website for anyone looking to get involved with supporting artistry, specifically Black women in the arts in the Fayetteville area.

“My biggest accomplishment is networking, connecting with people in the community, I do not think I would’ve met the people that I’m working with currently had I not formed this business,” said Washington. “And it's all types of people in all types of artistic entities, so I’m grateful for this business and the opportunity to meet these people.”

Book Black Women is a one-ofa-kind organization that—literally and figuratively—sets the stage to showcase Black women’s artistic talents. It truly is a multifaceted artistic organization. For the aspiring artist looking for visibility or to hone their skills, or for the local looking for a fun night out they can feel good about, Book Black Women has it all.

“I just really wanted a space where Black women are able to just be. Whatever that means to them.” said Washington. “Not having someone else tell them ‘no this is where you’re supposed to be’ ‘this is what you’re supposed to do.’ And so that’s honestly why it’s created, just to create the spaces.”

PHOTOS BY AYANA WASHINGTON

Producing artistic events such as the Trap N Poetry (above, bottom right) and The Blueprint (top right), both presented by Book Black Women Inc., provides a new outlet for Black women to showcase their skills in poetry, dancing, string instrument performances and more.

BIZ LEADS

Reader’s Guide

BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.

CUMBERLAND

COUNTY

J. Hyphen Company LLC

439 Westwood

Shopping Center

Pmb 290

Fayetteville

Agent: Joseph Clark

THE ROCKHOPPER GROUP INC

3615 HEARTPINE

DR

Fayetteville

Agent: JEFF

QUICK

Coqui Express

Freight Services LLC

111 Murray Fork Drive Fayetteville

Agent: Norberto

Martinez

M R E S LLC

1724 Stackhouse

Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Eric Green

3831 Goforth Drive LLC

3831 Goforth Drive

Hope Mills

Agent: Bradley

James Schweickert

Iata Mobile Notary Service LLC

3637 Harrisburg

Fayetteville

Pettay Senior Solutions Inc

6952 Saint Julian Way

Fayetteville

Agent: Ammie M

Pettay

Easy Markings Inc.

559 Executive Place Suite 201

Fayetteville

Agent: Fale Iata McNeil

Jade Mare' LLC 3136 White Ash Drive

Fayetteville

Agent: LaKesha Baldwin Revenue Writers LLC 6380 Cliffdale Rd #25164

Fayetteville

Agent: Jinella Laurin McCrimmon

MR SEAFOOD OF FAYETTEVILLE LLC 6431 GREYFIELD ROAD

Fayetteville

Agent: OWL COUCH

No Barriers Realty Group LLC 5423 Thompson Circle

Hope Mills

Agent: Jochebed

Danby-Cobbina Barrier

Liberty Heating & Air LLC

2509 Carriage Rd

Fayetteville

Agent: FasTrac Tax Financial Inc

Jacobs & Jacobs Properties L.L.C. 111 Openview Dr

Fayetteville

Agent: Daniel James Jacobs

Revival Spa & Wellness Center

LLC

207 Owen Drive

Fayetteville

Agent: Bethany

Campbell

Cottages at Golfview LLC

4317 Ramsey St

Fayetteville

Agent: Robert Dailey

40 East LLC

2220 Winterlochen Road

Fayetteville

Agent: Bridgewater

Holdings

Oddity Candles LLC

560 Abbotts

Landing Circle APT H

Fayetteville

Agent: Kiona Ebonee Scott

LightSee Vending LLC

1819 Wildcat Road

Fayetteville

Agent: Jacary Lightsey

MNP Investments LLC

4148 Wade Stedman Road

Wade

Agent: Edward

Conquest Hudson III

SM Real Estate Group LLC

1019 Liberty LN

Fayetteville Agent: Isaih Johnson

Total Home Maintenance LLC

5309 Church Street

Hope Mills

Agent: Josef Gray

Agent: Davis W. Puryear

Premodelentertainment Limited Liability Company

1205 August Place

Fayetteville

Agent: Ivorine A Gayle

Top Tier Customs LLC

1659 tryon dr Fayetteville Agent: Jeannette Anne Calvert

Coleman Capital LLC

4428 Ellenbrook Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Derrick Lamont Coleman Jr

Cresfund Renovations LLC.

324 Mason St. Fayetteville

Agent: Darrin Collins Inc.

Nikki Blue Interiors LLC

5404 Labrador Drive

Hope Mills

Agent: Nikki Lacole Blue

1015 HOPE MILLS LLC

205 WESTWOOD

SHOPPING CENTER

Fayetteville

Agent: OMAR

YAHYA ALSAIDI

Xscape Factor Escape Rooms LLC

136a Bow St

Fayetteville

Agent: April Perton

One Call Removal LLC

1312 Morganton Rd

Fayetteville

Agent: Matthew

Clayton Hendricks

Queens Crown Hair & Spa LLC

5995 Blue Teal Ct

Fayetteville

Agent: Tammy Dianne Gordon

LTAJ Customs LLC

1106 Thornwood Pl

Fayetteville

Agent: Rene E Elliott

Wink Hauling LLC

1607 Kara Ct

Fayetteville

Agent: Jared Winkey

DJK Trucking & Logistics llc

103 Wapiti Dr

Spring Lake

Agent: Darrin

Patterson

3563 Gillespie

LLC

205 WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER

Fayetteville Agent: OMAR

YAHYA ALSAIDI

De Bruce Residential Services

LLC

2504 Raeford Rd Suite 107

Fayetteville

bizfayetteville.com

Agent: Shawnta

Nicole Dixon

SHE Cares For Your Heart Foundation

3142 Sommer Dr

Hope Mills

Agent: LaKesia

April-Samoan Chance

HEALING WATERS

CHURCH BY GOD OF FAITH

5329 Ramsey Street Suite 1 Fayetteville

Agent: Andrena Evans

Faith Based Brand LLC 8409 Frenchorn Lane Fayetteville

Agent: Justin McNeill

J&S Investments of Fayetteville Inc.

334 Colinwood Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Samuel P Guy III

Baggett's Lawncare LLC

1219 Palestine Rd Linden

Agent: Michael Alan Baggett

KIRBY'S TREE KUTS LLC

902 Edenwood Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Joshua Stringer

XL Developments LLC

731 Ashfield Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Xavier Jerome Jones

WUHNDUR MEDIA LLC

8913 Grouse Run Lane

Fayetteville

Agent: Duwane

Antwan Brown

Infinite Nursing Gemz PLLC

2125 Saint Nicholas Dr

Hope Mills

Agent: Monica Wright

Grace Behavioral Health PLLC

829 Foxcroft Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Jessica Fleishman

Delvin Washington LLC

505 Nottingham Drive

Fayetteville

Agent: Delvin Washington

Greenwood Management & Consulting of NC Inc.

1506 Purdue Dr

Fayetteville

Agent: Michael Paschal

LisCloset LLC

3218 Glenmore Dr

Hope Mills

Agent: Cherlisa K Anderson

QUA'Z ENTERPRISE LLC

5301 SONNET CT Fayetteville

Agent: SHEQUAILA TEKELA ALFORD

Unseen Mystic LLC

5647 McDougal Fayetteville

Agent: Londyn

Matthews

MelaNena Designs & Co. LLC

717 Emerald Dr

Fayetteville

Agent: Marlene L

McLaughlin

Gifted Label LLC

520 Trust Dr Apt F

Fayetteville

Agent: JarQuez

Page

Omni Ride LLC

7670 Raeford Rd

Fayetteville

Agent: Terri Martin

LivinDreamLife LLC

7649 Spurge Dr. Fayetteville

Agent: Dewey Lee

Mullins Jr.

CSNBC Holdings Inc

5537 Lawnwood Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Mark Jerome Kalinowski

GoldenAge Gourmet L.L.C.

6330 Parkton Rd Parkton

Agent: Alfred Leon Brown Jr

EchoCoveInc LLC

3451 McChoen Dr Fayetteville

Agent: Grace West

DLC PARTY RENTALS LLC

399 Highgrove Dr Spring Lake

Agent: Stephanie Marie De La Cruz

3607 LEGION LLC

205 WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER Fayetteville

Agent: OMAR YAHYA ALSAIDI

Pro Auto Sales LLC

429 Person St. Suite 1-A

Fayetteville

Agent: BossLady Corporate Services

Time for Your Business to Save with Time-of-Use Rates

As a small business, you can save money on your energy bills with PWC’s Time-of-Use billing. Power used during Peak Hours is billed at higher rates (just four hours a day), and power used during Off-Peak Hours is billed at 29% lower rates. During the winter schedule – from November 1 through March 31 – Peak Hours are weekdays from 6:00 am – 10:00 am.

Some things you can do to shift your usage and conserve power during Peak Hours:

• Use a programmable “smart” thermostat to keep your heat at the lowest comfortable temperature during Peak Hours and avoid allowing employees to adjust thermostats. Consider setting the schedule to preheat your building(s) during Off-Peak Hours (before 6:00 am), then lower the heat from 6:00 – 10:00 in the morning.

• Schedule non-essential equipment to run during Off-Peak Hours. When possible, schedule required equipment to run sequentially (not concurrently) during Peak Hours.

• Educate your employees on Time-of-Use, encouraging them turn off lighting and equipment they don’t need during Peak Hours and perform non-urgent, high energy-use tasks after 10:00 am.

• The Whole Business (Super Off-Peak) Rate will not be affected by the change to Winter TOU.

For more details on PWC’s Time-of-Use billing:

FayPWC.com/Time-Of-UseRates-For-Non-ResidentialCustomers/ See Business Conservation Resources for more ways to save.

THE LIST Employment Projections

Ranked by total growth based on estimations from the NC Dept. of Commerce as of 2024.

LEAPING FORWARD

GERALD COHEN Chief Economist Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School

On Leap Day in a presidential election year, Economist Gerald Cohen will share what to expect in 2024 from a national, state and local perspective. Cohen is the Chief Economist at UNC’s Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and has worked in a range of business and government roles, giving him unique insights into the direction of our economy.

Gerald D. Cohen is the Chief Economist of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. He has worked in both the public and private sectors focusing on the intersection between financial markets and economic fundamentals. During the Obama Administration, Cohen also helped formulate and evaluate the impact of policy proposals on the U.S. economy while serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Macroeconomic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery

Cape Fear Botanical Garden Fayetteville, NC 28305