BIRMINGHAM, AL – The U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Cassius Butts signed Strategic Alliance Memorandums (SAMs) with Miles College and Lawson State Community College at the A.G. Gaston Conference on February 20, 2013. Dr. George French, President of Miles College, and Dr. Perry Ward, President of Lawson State Community College, each signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. Bob Dickerson, Executive Director of the Birmingham Business Resource Center served as Master of Ceremony at the signing and was instrumental in coordinating the SAM.
Regional Administrator Butts recently stated, “of the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in this country, 60% are located in SBA Region IV”, (comprised of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida). “I’ve always believed that these institutions and their faculty serve as the foundation for strong and thriving communities. This partnership will foster entrepreneurship among the young population, especially in minority communities.”
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles is the only four-year institution in Birmingham designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Miles is one of only 39 HBCUs to have the designation of a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) institution.
Lawson State Community College is a comprehensive, diverse public two-year college that offers educational opportunities which promote economic growth and enhance quality of life for people in the area. The college is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible lifelong learning opportunities through varied instructional modes in order to prepare students for employment or career advancement, enable students to transfer to senior colleges and universities, and provide customized training for business and industry.
The memorandum is to allow the SBA and these two Alabama HBCU’s to share resources in order to promote entrepreneurial efforts by students and alumni as well as to assist the community outreach efforts of these colleges and universities. They will also help make information on SBA programs and services more readily available. The SAM will go into effect on the day signed and have a two year term.
For additional information contact the SBA Alabama District Office at (205) 290-7101.
