LaShon Harley Wins State Award

Raleigh, NC – LaShon Harley, director of the Small Business Center for Durham Technical Community College, was the recipient of this year’s North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) Innovation Award for Programs and Seminars for the development and implementation of the annual Food Business Summit. The summit delivered entrepreneurial training to participants, teaching them about resources that can assist them with starting and growing a food business.

The NCCCS Small Business Center (SBC) Network announced award recipients during a recent conference in Asheville.  The annual, statewide awards honor small business centers and center directors for Innovation, Service/Collaboration and Programs/Seminars; Business Success Story Most Impact and Overcoming Challenges; as well as Small Business Center Director and Rookie of the Year. Center directors are also recognized for years of service and professional credentialing.

“LaShon’s award is particularly well-deserved as it showcases collaboration among multiple partners,” said Dr. Peter Wooldridge, vice president for Corporate and Continuing Education at the college. “The introduction of this summit has also allowed Durham Tech to create courses and seminars focused on ‘agri-entrepreneurship’ and the food processing industry, which helps the SBC concentrate its resources on a growing small business sector focused on food and agricultural products.”

Harley and Wooldridge also noted the support of Mary Moore, SNAP2Skills Education Navigator/Career Readiness and Skills Training at Durham Tech, the NC Tobacco Trust Commission, and the Piedmont Food & Agriculture Processing Center as additional valued partners in making the summit possible.

“We’re very proud of these outstanding Small Business Center Directors and the success of their programs.  They are adding value to their communities, helping entrepreneurs reach their dreams of starting businesses,” says   Dr. James “Jimmie” Williamson, NCCCS president. “The Small Business Centers, located at all 58 community colleges, are key factors in North Carolina’s economic development and we applaud each of them for the significant impact they make each and every day.”