MWSBE Stories Archives

TC Bakery’s Historic Expansion at Tallahassee International Airport

November 22, 2023

A local Tallahassee bakery made history as the first black, woman-owned bakery in the Tallahassee International Airport. TC Bakery, led by Jennifer Young, began a groundbreaking partnership with Tallahassee International Airport to achieve this historic accomplishment, offering insights into the power of seizing opportunities in the pursuit of success. When Tailwind Hospitality, Inc., an airport concessions company, extended an invitation for local businesses to […]

MWSBE Spotlight: Bannerman Landscape

August 23, 2022

Bannerman Landscape is a MWSBE Certified, women-owned business founded by Linda Hunkiar in 2008. They have over 25 years of industry experience in both commercial and residential landscaping. Their certified professional staff—including a FNGLA Certified Horticulturist; Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector; FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician; and ISA Certified Arborist—ensure all projects meet the […]

Black Business Month Spotlight: Arnold’s Roofing Enterprises

August 17, 2021

As President and owner of Arnold’s Roofing Enterprises (ARE), Inc., Terry Arnold have been serving the greater Tallahassee area for over 25 years. Terry, a Tallahassee native, along with his wife Tammy, has built this family-owned business from the ground up. Since 1995, ARE has been one of Tallahassee’s best with a history of reliable […]

Black Business Month Spotlight: Formals By Vince

Vincent Raffington is the owner and CEO of Formals by Vince, a Tallahassee mainstay since 2010. Formals by Vince have long been recognized in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas for providing classic and contemporary formal wear. Vincent Raffington began his career in men’s formal wear in 1986 under Sacino’s Formalwear in St. Petersburg, FL. Vincent […]

Black Business Month Spotlight: Johnson+Milner

Johnson+Milner, Inc. (J+M) started in early 2013 when the founders Aaron Milner and George Johnson, Jr. took advantage of an opportunity to start a structural engineering firm while breaking away from an existing firm. They solicited the help of an engineering professor, Primus Mtenga, to bring additional years of knowledge and experience to the firm. […]

Black Business Month Spotlight: SitiART Beauty Studio

SitiART Beauty Studio is Tallahassee’s premier private, boutique-style atelier that provides over a dozen beauty and grooming services. SitiART was founded by Siteria “Siti” Gregory, a professional makeup artist, licensed esthetician, nail tech, brow tech and permanent brow artist, with over a decade of combined experience and with a specialty in skin of Color. Owner […]

Black Business Month Spotlight: Metropolitan Design and Consulting Group, Inc.

Metropolitan Design and Consulting Group, Inc. (MDCG) is a Tallahassee-based business dedicated to assisting organizations and individuals develop creative strategies to maximize their profit and their potential. MDCG welcomes the opportunity to partner with non-profits, for-profits, universities, and community organizations to develop experience-driven solutions that will assist in operating more efficiently, effectively, and strategically. MDCG aims […]

Intern Spotlight: Gabriella Garcia

July 7, 2021

The Office of Economic Vitality is proud to welcome and spotlight the newest member of our team, Gabriella Garcia. She has joined our MWSBE team as a Graduate Intern. Gabriella is currently pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied American Politics and Policy Candidate at Florida State University and will graduate in May 2022. […]

MWSBE Spotlight: Kitschy Wearable Art

March 4, 2021

Chrissy Souders is a woman of multiple talents, a seasoned broadcast journalist and innovative founder of Kitschy Wearable Art. Her collaborative spirit and unique eye for new trends made her a natural for Women Wednesdays, a local grassroots initiative to make Tallahassee a #1City4Women. When COVID19 hit, she jumped into action to transform Women Wednesdays’ […]

Director’s Message: Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) recognizes the many women-owned businesses here in our community. We celebrate the accomplishments of women and women-owned businesses, and I am excited to share their stories of doing business right here in Tallahassee-Leon County. I love what Barbara Wescott, Founder of Women Wednesdays, […]