PHOTO: SGBC Members were introduced to the state-of-the-art podcast room inside the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship.
VALDOSTA — A Juneteenth event in Valdosta highlighted African American history, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.
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VALDOSTA, GA — June 15, 2026 — The Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC), in a partnership with the Valdosta State University (VSU) College of Business and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section, executed a landmark Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 13. The curated experience, titled “Legacy & Launch: A Juneteenth Experience of Economic Freedom,” successfully brought together over 50 regional business owners, civic leaders, and families to bridge the historic struggle for civil rights with cutting-edge economic infrastructure.
The day began in the galleries of VSU’s Copeland African American Museum, where participants gathered for a guided exploration of regional African American history. During the historical presentation, SGBC Board Member Marion Ricco Ramsey presented facts related to the Emancipation Proclamation, grounding the modern “business hustle” in ancestral resilience.
The tour featured powerful presentations by NCNW Sisters and a memorable message by NCNW Section President Attorney Karla Walker: “No matter how big we get, how much money we gain, if we don’t understand that somewhere in that process… you take your dollar fifty-cent and make it work for you—it has to be that same entrepreneurial spirit [focused on] meeting the needs of our community.”
From the museum, President and CEO H. DeWayne Johnson led attendees on a symbolic “Transition Walk” across campus to the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship. The physical movement represented a community-wide shift from historical survival to technical scale and “Innovative Parity”.
“This is what the journey is about—coming from where we just showed you, from the belly of the ship into greatness,” stated DeWayne Johnson during the transition. “We are about business, community, and government here. We want to ensure our people are getting the right resources to be great, exposing the powerful partnerships we have with institutions like VSU.”
At the J. Donald Lee Center, VSU Graduate Assistant Jeffrey B. Fleming guided attendees through a state-of-the-art tour of the university’s $10,000 renovated podcast room, digital media labs, 3D printing zones, and photography bays.
“A lot of people think this center is just for students, but it’s not—it’s for everyone. Everybody in the community is welcome,” Fleming emphasized during the showcase. “We want local business owners to come in and utilize this high-end technical equipment for free to build their plans, prototype their products, and professionalize their marketing.”
The tour culminated in a “Soulful Power Lunch” catered by local SGBC member Chef Tammy Acree of Heavenly Spice Blend Seasoning LLC. Attendees dined on “Legacy Turkey & Greens” boxes containing turkey wraps with collard green slaw, Cajun pasta salad, and peach cobbler, alongside a refreshing self-serve beverage station featuring cucumber-mint-infused water sourced from Chef Acree’s local garden. In a demonstration of generational wealth and mentorship, Chef Acree brought along culinary students whom she is actively training to become future entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Ashley Council, owner of King of Pops Valdosta and an active SGBC member, provided all-natural artisan fruit pops.
About the Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC)
The Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC) is a premier business advocacy and economic development organization dedicated to the growth, education, and sustainable scaling of Black-owned enterprises and minority innovators across an 18-county South Georgia footprint. Headquartered in Valdosta, Georgia, the SGBC represents over 100 active business members spanning more than 30 distinct commercial and service industries.
Operating under its 8-Pillar Thrive Agenda, the Chamber acts as a strategic bridge between “homegrown” small business owners, academic research institutions, major corporate partners, and state-level procurement offices. The SGBC is committed to advancing regional economic equity, establishing competitive “prime contractor” pipelines, securing capital access, and leading systemic community revitalization initiatives.
To learn more, register for upcoming programs, or access our business directory, visit www.sgablackchambers.org.
About the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) — Valdosta-Lowndes Section
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Inc. is an esteemed national non-profit organization founded in 1935 by the legendary educator and civil rights leader Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. For over 91 years, NCNW has stood as a powerhouse of community influence, advancing opportunities and quality of life for African American women, their families, and their communities.
The Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section of NCNW operationalizes this rich legacy in South Georgia by focusing on the organization’s “Core Four” national initiatives: Health, Education, Public Policy, and Economic Empowerment/Justice. Locally, the section serves as a vital community anchor, mobilizing grassroots leadership and executing signature empowerment initiatives such as the annual Taste of NCNW Business Showcase, the SELFIE youth development program (for ages 16–25), and community-wide civic outreach events.
For membership inquiries and community partnership details, connect with the Valdosta-Lowndes Section at www.ncnwofvaldosta.org.
