Sunday, March 05, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - University of North Carolina Wilmington marked the conclusion of the Historically Underutilized Business Academy, a comprehensive 16-week training program for minority business owners, with a graduation ceremony and reception on Feb. 28 in Trask Coliseum.

The term Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) describes business entities that are at least 51 percent owned and operated by minorities, women, or disabled individuals.

The HUB Academy, which took place within the Cameron School of Business at UNCW, provided comprehensive business education on a variety of topics to help these businesses succeed and thrive. Experts in accounting, cash flow management, employee relations, law and project scheduling were obtained through the Carolinas Association of General Contractors to instruct the classes.

"We are so pleased to have been able to offer this valuable course of training for HUB contractors at UNCW," said Cheryl Sutton, the university's HUB coordinator. "The university is committed to helping minority businesses succeed and participate in projects on campus, and this was probably the largest single focused initiative undertaken so far to assist HUB firms toward that goal."

Twelve people participated in the HUB Academy, and three completed the program, including Alma Peterson, owner of Peterson and Associates in Wilmington; Mary Ann Edge, owner of Rose of Sharon Cleaning Services in Leland; and Wanda Jackson Sloan, president of Carolina Construction Corporation in Wilmington.

Also participating were Vincent Burgess, project manager of LINC, Inc.; Scott Graham, president, Graham Construction; Nathaniel Vause, executive director, MENTOR; Ray Flores, president, PRIDE Electrical Contractors, Inc.; Lennea Graham, president, UNICUT; Louis Williams, owner, Williams Masonry Co.; and Edwin Jones, Consultant/Developer, Scholarship Foundation.

"Each contractor received a lot of individual attention and instruction tailored to their particular needs," Sutton noted.

UNCW partnered with the UNC Office of the President; and Carolinas Associated General Contractors (AGC) to provide the HUB Academy.

Costs were subsidized by the university and the above organizations, as well as Barnhill Contracting Company; City of Wilmington; Millennium 3 Design Group; Ken Weeden & Associates; Rodgers Builders; NC DOT - Office of Civil Rights and Business Development; and Partners for Economic Inclusion.

HUB businesses can receive ongoing services and support through UNCW's HUB Office, operated through UNCW's Business Affairs-Office of Facilities. The university's Web-based HUB Resource Center (www.uncw.edu/hub) provides information regarding construction opportunities and bidding processes for UNCW projects.

For more information about HUB services, contact Cheryl Sutton at 910.962.7597.

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Pictured left to right: Wanda Jackson Sloan, Vincent Burgess, Nathaniel Vause, Scott Graham, Mary Ann Edge, Sterling Graham (standing in for his mother, Lennea Graham), Edwin Jones, Alma Peterson and Lewis Williams