Blog
Time to Plant: Spring Garden Time
A guide for first-time growers, seasoned farmers, and everyone in between “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – George Washington Carver George Washington Carver said it simply – and he said it right. Every seed you put in the ground is an act of hope. It’s a decision to show up, to […]
Celebrating the Women Behind Vivian’s Door
Because behind every open door – there’s a woman who refused to close it. They don’t do it for the applause. They do it because entrepreneurs in this community deserve someone in their corner. Someone who shows up with a strategy when the road gets unclear. Someone who leads with heart when the work gets […]
Current Grant Opportunities April 2026
April shows up with momentum, a turning point where new funding opportunities begin to surface for businesses ready to grow. Grant programs open across the landscape, offering a powerful advantage: capital that fuels progress without adding debt. For entrepreneurs looking to expand, invest, or stabilize, this season brings a wave of possibilities designed to support […]
Bridging the Gap: The Reality of Housing Access in Today’s Communities
Housing isn’t just about where we live. It’s about access, stability, and opportunity, and in 2026, the numbers tell a story we can’t ignore. “An estimated 4 million acts of housing discrimination happen each year, yet fewer than 30,000 are reported.” More than 50 years after the Fair Housing Act, disparities in housing access persist […]
Your April Guide to What’s Happening Across the Gulf Coast
A curated look at April 2026 events across the Gulf Coast community April doesn’t arrive quietly on the Gulf Coast. It shows up dressed in purpose, wrapped in culture, and alive with conversation. From rooms filled with mentorship and meaning, to stages where fashion and poetry collide, to conversations that challenge systems and shift perspectives—this […]
She Built What She Couldn’t Find: How Chrishon Lampley Is Redefining the Wine Industry
Women’s history doesn’t just live in textbooks; it lives in decisions, in the quiet moments when a woman realizes no one is coming to create space for her, so she creates it herself. For Chrishon Lampley, that realization didn’t come all at once. It came through experience working in distribution, running an art gallery and […]
Sammy Cheezecake: Faith, Flavor, and the Legacy of a Dream
When you step into Sammy Cheezecake, the air is sweet with the scents of red velvet, German chocolate, and strawberry cheesecakes. But behind every slice is more than flavor, it’s the story of Samuel Smith Jr., a Black founder whose faith and determination turned vision into reality. A Turning Point in Life Sam’s entrepreneurial spirit […]
The Beauty of Legacy : How One Woman Is Transforming Her Community”
“With her mother’s wisdom as her guide, Evelyn Shepard opened Citronelle’s first beauty supply store, a tribute to family, faith, and community pride.” In the quiet Alabama town of Citronelle, a daughter carried her mother’s legacy, determined to transform her community through that vision. That spark, ignited at a jazz festival, quickly grew. Soon, Citronelle […]
Building Futures: Youth Opportunities That Open Doors
MAC Opens Art Show Submissions for Higher-Education Students The Mobile Arts Council is accepting submissions for Five 2026, its biennial juried exhibition showcasing work by college and university students in the Mobile area. Students enrolled during the 2025–2026 academic year may submit up to three pieces, with monetary awards presented. The exhibition will be on […]
March Community Events You Don’t Want to Miss – March 2026
Spring brings a vibrant lineup of community events in March, offering opportunities to support women entrepreneurs, boost family wellness, learn healthy habits, meet local authors, and enjoy community gatherings for all ages. Across Mobile, organizations and local leaders are welcoming people to connect through education, wellness, empowerment, and community. These events let you learn new […]
