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| Full Circle. An award-winning athlete embraces his HBCU roots by becoming FAMU's 16th head coach for the men's basketball team. The founder of The Kearney Center was honored with a Humanitarian Award for his dedication to offering social support to the community and beyond. ICYMI, we’ve shared some highlights from the recently concluded Big Bend Regional Small Business Week. Be sure to catch this week's CityClips Live episodes! We'll be joined by Partner and Shareholder from WilliamsGautier Law Firm and fellow Domi's Board Member, Jake Kiker, on Wednesday, followed by Mitch Glaeser, CEO at Emory Group Companies, on Friday. ✨
Quick SummaryFor the 398th issue, here’s what’s up: In Sports: Charlie Ward for FAMU Basketball Team In the Spotlight: Rick Kearney Honored at 10th Anniversary Event Recap: The Big Bend Regional Small Business Week Networking + Business Events
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| | IN SPORTS CHARLIE WARD | NEW COACH |
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| | 🏀 Charlie Ward ushers in a fresh chapter for the Florida A&M basketball team as he reconnects with his HBCU heritage. | FAMU News Charlie Ward Jr., a former NBA player and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, has been appointed as the 16th head coach of the FAMU men's basketball team. “Coach Ward brings with him a championship mindset and a wealth of experience that will undoubtedly ignite a new level of inspiration and ambition in our student-athletes. His arrival is a game-changer for our program,” said Angela Suggs, FAMU VP and Director of Athletics. Ward and his family share a deep connection with FAMU. His parents met as undergraduates on campus in the late '50s, and his father, Charlie Ward, Sr., was an athlete on the university's football team. Additionally, Ward's older sister is a proud alumna of FAMU. An elite two-sport athlete, he showcased his skill, strength, and accuracy on both the football field and basketball court. As the point guard for Florida State, he guided the Seminoles to impressive NCAA Tournament performances, reaching the Sweet 16 in 1992 and the Elite Eight in 1993. In 1991, he clinched the Metro Conference Championship with a decisive shot against Louisville. He holds the record for the most career steals at Florida State with 236 and is sixth in all-time assists with 396. 🏅 Ward's achievements include winning the Davey O’Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and being honored as the Walter Camp Player of the Year. He is also just the second college football player to receive the Sullivan Award, which celebrates him as the best amateur athlete in the country. 🤩 FAMU’s Board of Trustees approved a five-year contract worth $975,000 for Ward to lead the Rattlers through the 2029-2030 season. | Tal Dem
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| | IN THE SPOTLIGHT RICK KEARNEY |
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| | 🏆 Rick Kearney, the founder of The Kearney Center, honored at the 10th anniversary event. | Tal Dem The Kearney Center has been helping people for a decade, assisting over 15,000 individuals since its opening in April 2015. Their mission is to offer help and hope by creating solutions that provide a path to self-sufficiency to those in poverty. They are committed to providing a safe environment that promotes dignity and respect. Rick Kearney, after whom the center is named and a dedicated philanthropist, received special proclamations along with the first-ever Rick Kearney Humanitarian Award. The award will be presented annually to a worthy recipient in his honor. The proclamations acknowledged his dedication to establishing a place where those experiencing homelessness can access shelter, meals, healthcare, and social support. 🥰 "We're trying to convert something that has been laid on the laps of a few ... now we really need help of the greater community because this is a big and growing problem. This is not just homelessness. This is mental health, this is substance abuse, this is people with broken lives, with very little help," Kearney said.
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| | EVENT RECAP SMALL BIZ WEEK |
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| Image Source: Florida SBDC at FAMU |
| 🤩 A successful 42nd Big Bend Regional Small Business Week. | SBDC IG Post The 42nd Annual Big Bend Regional Small Business Week, organized by the Florida SBDC at FAMU, was an inspiring three-day event that celebrated entrepreneurship, innovation, and the positive influence on the community throughout the Big Bend area. The event took place at the AC Marriott Hotel in Tallahassee from May 6th to May 8th, this year's theme—"Innovation & Technology: Success Stories from Local Entrepreneurs"—united business leaders, government representatives, students, and community stakeholders to celebrate the perseverance and achievements of small businesses. The keynote speaker, Tirrell D. Whittley, the Founder and CEO of Liquid Soul, delivered a compelling message that challenged and inspired everyone present. The event highlighted the importance of small businesses as the foundation of the economy through insightful discussions and powerful success stories. ▶️ Watch the recap here.
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| | EVENTS NETWORKING + BUSINESS |
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| Image Source: IGNITE Tallahassee |
| Thursday, May 29
Thursday to Saturday, May 29 to 31
Friday, June 6
Saturdays, June 7 to July 12
Tuesday, June 10 Professional Women's Forum by Chamber of Commerce | Tuesday, June 10 | 11:30 AM | Dunlap Champions Club, 225 Champions Way, UCB Doak Campbell Stadium | $45 for Members, $55 for Non-Members Register
Wednesday to Friday, June 11 to 13
Thursday, June 26
Tuesday to Wednesday, July 15 to 16 |
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| | | | ✨ We love it when people send us their stories, updates, and events! Have a relevant topic, press release, or event for us? Please submit info via form here. Note: We may not be able to publish items submitted. |
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