Alabama State University News November 22, 2016 ASU Hosts HBCU Entrepreneur Connection Summit Author: Timothy C. Erving As part of its 2016 Homecoming festivities, ASU hosted an Entrepreneur Summit for students. Alabama State University welcomed several esteemed alumni in business back to campus on Tuesday, November 22, for a special Homecoming HBCU Entrepreneur Connection Summit. The theme for the event was "Empowering and Equipping Our Future Entrepreneur by Exposure, Access and Connections." The panel's featured speakers included Nakima Boleware (BBVA), Terrence Baldwin (T. Baldwin Music), Natasha Cole (Go and Glow, LLC), Freddie Williams (International Ent., LLC), Kimberly Rucker (Wilmer & Lee, PA), Jamilia Brown (Virtue Technology), Adrian Walker (Sew What Embroidery), and Africa Miranda (Beauty and Digital Influencer). "Each year Hornets swarm back to campus to provide nuggets of knowledge to our current students and we definitely appreciate what they bring to the table," said Jeremy Hodge, director of Career Services. "The energy that is felt when alumni come back is so valuable and I know the students will gain valuable information." The summit provided students an opportunity to ask real-life questions about the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur. They also got a chance to hear first-hand accounts about valuable lessons learned both on and off-campus. "At an early age, I realized that my service to the world was music," said Terrence Baldwin. "But becoming an entrepreneur, it allowed me to offer my service to the community in a structured manner, and with that structure it allows me to expand; and it goes from performing to educating and with that, becoming an entrepreneur allows me to feed my family and feed other families." Natasha Cole said three of the most important things an entrepreneur needs to know is how sales works, continuing to learn about your craft and knowing how to market yourself and your brand. "There is always going to be a part of you that you have to monetize," Cole said. "Understanding the sales aspect of your business is very important. In your entrepreneurial journey you also have to continue to take workshops or courses, or have some kind of success coach to teach you how to be successful. " Africa Miranda agreed with Cole and added that as an entrepreneur you have to be able to recognize what's next. "People are already offering certain products and services, so you may not be the first person to come up with it, but if you can look at the market and look at where things are going and say to yourself that this might be something new or this is a new way to offer it or new way to talk about it, then that's when you will do well; and you have to be open to new things." Freddie Williams said he attributed all of his success to ASU. "If it wasn't for ASU I wouldn't be in the position I am in right now," Williams said. "My parents gave me the foundation and it was up to me to leave the nest and go out and do my part. I owe ASU the world." The summit was co-sponsored by BBVA, HarCal Entertainment, Insights Management and ASU's Office of Career Services. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/