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Tag: SBA

  • Black Entrepreneur Wins SBA Award for Mississippi

    In a fantastic win for Black entrepreneurship, Ameka Coleman, the visionary founder of Strands of Faith, has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year for Mississippi. This incredible achievement highlights her dedication and the significant impact of her innovative hair care brand.

    Representing Mississippi on a National Stage

    This prestigious honor means Coleman will travel to Washington, D.C., on May 4th to represent Mississippi during the National Small Business Week. This event celebrates business leaders nationwide who are making a real difference through their impact, innovation, and contributions to their communities. It’s a huge recognition for both Coleman and the state she represents.

    From Personal Journey to Thriving Brand

    Coleman founded Strands of Faith with a powerful mission: to create top-tier hair care products that not only promote healthy hair but also foster confidence, self-care, belief, and faith. What started as a personal endeavor has blossomed into a successful, bootstrapped brand that now serves customers across the country. It’s a true testament to her vision and hard work.

    Remarkably, Strands of Faith has grown into a multiple seven-figure business without any outside funding. This impressive growth is a direct result of Coleman’s unwavering commitment to discipline, consistency, and a focus on sustainable, long-term development. As a first-generation founder, she’s navigated the entrepreneurial landscape by learning on the fly and overcoming numerous challenges.

    A Testament to Persistence and Faith

    This recognition represents years of persistence and faith in the process. It’s an honor to represent Mississippi on a national stage and to highlight what’s possible when you take the leap of faith to follow your dreams. — Ameka Coleman

    Beyond leading her flourishing business, Ameka Coleman is deeply committed to giving back. She actively supports aspiring and established entrepreneurs, generously sharing her insights, encouragement, and practical lessons learned throughout her journey. Her dedication to mentorship is as strong as her business acumen.

    Celebrating Small Business Impact

    National Small Business Week, observed from May 3rd to May 9th, is a crucial time dedicated to recognizing the vital role small businesses play in fueling economic growth and strengthening communities throughout the United States. Ameka Coleman’s story is a shining example of this impact.

    What inspires you most about Ameka Coleman’s journey with Strands of Faith? Share your thoughts and any entrepreneurial advice you’d like to offer in the comments below!

  • SBA Reverses Layoff Reversals, Confusing Staff

    Imagine getting the best news of your life – your job is back! – only to have it snatched away the very next day. That’s the confusing and demoralizing situation unfolding at the Small Business Administration (SBA), where recently laid-off employees were offered their positions back, only for that offer to be rescinded almost immediately.

    A Rollercoaster of Emotions for Staff

    The drama began when the SBA sent reduction-in-force (RIF) notices to 77 employees on September 29, just one day before the nation experienced its longest government shutdown. This news undoubtedly cast a dark cloud over the holiday season for those affected. Then, a glimmer of hope appeared this week when a top HR official informed dozens of staff that they were, in fact, returning to work.

    SBA’s Chief Human Capital Officer, John Serpa, sent a notice on November 18 stating, “This letter is to formally rescind the reduction in force (RIF) notice dated 9/29/25… You are being reinstated to your position of record with the Small Business Administration (SBA).” However, the relief was short-lived. Just a day later, Serpa retracted the reinstatement, confirming the layoffs would stand. This whiplash has understandably sent morale plummeting, with one Reddit user describing it as a “mental mind f*ck.”

    The Root of the Confusion: A Spending Deal

    The chaos reportedly stems from differing interpretations of the language in the spending deal Congress passed to end the government shutdown. The SBA spokesperson told Federal News Network (FNN) that the agency concluded the new continuing resolution “does not apply to any RIFs executed” by the agency. Therefore, the RIF affecting the 77 positions remains in effect.

    However, the spending bill, enacted on November 12, explicitly states that “any reduction in force proposed, noticed, initiated, executed, and implemented, or otherwise taken by an executive agency between Oct. 1, 2025, and the date of enactment, shall have no force or effect.” This seems to directly contradict the SBA’s stance.

    Legal Injunctions and RIF Notices

    Adding another layer to the situation, the SBA layoffs were not covered by a preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge. This injunction blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with layoffs during the shutdown. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston noted that the RIF notices for SBA employees were issued on September 29 or 30, prior to the shutdown, and thus wouldn’t be included in the injunction’s protection.

    This complex interplay of legislative language, agency interpretation, and judicial rulings has created a deeply uncertain and frustrating environment for the affected SBA employees. The agency’s back-and-forth decision-making has left many questioning their job security and the stability of their workplace.

    This situation highlights the significant impact government decisions can have on individual lives. What are your thoughts on the SBA’s handling of these layoffs? Share your perspective in the comments below!