Benjamin E Mays High School

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) proudly celebrated Minority Business Opportunity (MBO) Week Sept. 15-19, with a series of events designed to promote student entrepreneurship and highlight local minority business owners. 

The weeklong events kicked off with a Student Entrepreneurship Forum at Mays High School, followed by a trades internship information session, Minority Women and Business Entrepreneurs (MWBE) Vendor Fair, and Student Entrepreneurship Fair. 

The entrepreneurship forum featured a variety of local, minority entrepreneurs who shared their journeys, answered questions, and provided Mays students with sage advice about the benefits, burdens, and blessings of business ownership. Featured panelists included the following entrepreneurs: Clair Dent, CEO and founder of The Middle Ma’am, an organization dedicated to connecting communities for change and empowering Atlanta’s future; Justin Snowden, co-owner of Infinity Grooming Loft and educator at Pro-Fresh Barber Academy; Renée T. Billy, founder & CEO of BHX Management; Eric Sharp of Junk Shot Atlanta; and Evonya Easley, stylist and CEO/founder of Love E Fashion/Styled by Love E. 

Kaitlyn Johnson, who is a senior at Mays High School, said she learned a lot from the event. 

“I was able to ask questions, and they were able to give me really good details and information on investments,” said Kaitlyn, who makes lip gloss keychains. “Events like this are important because it’s good to know what’s around you, especially small businesses that many people don’t know about. It’s great for them to communicate with the community.”

Entrepreneur Justin Snowden, a Mays High School alumnus, said the seminar gave him an opportunity to give back to the community where he grew up.

“Being able to come back and pour into the students and see them with a hunger and passion for entrepreneurship and specifically barbering, I feel like it’s my duty to try to save them some steps,” Snowden said. “We all want to have a leg up and insight on the industry that we want to pursue, and if we as entrepreneurs can help save them some steps, it’s all worthwhile.” 

Brent Bailey, coordinator of Supplier Diversity in the Office of Equity + Social Justice, established the seminar to highlight the importance of exposing and connecting students to entrepreneurs who live in their community. He said that MBO Week is more than a celebration—it is a commitment to equity, innovation, and community.

“By uplifting local minority-owned businesses and encouraging student entrepreneurship, we empower the next generation of leaders to see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and changemakers,” said Bailey, who organized MBO Week. “At Atlanta Public Schools, we believe that when we invest in diverse businesses, we strengthen not only our local economy, but also the future of our students and our city.”

The MWBE Vendor Fair was another major highlight. 

Held in the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL), the fair showcased six local businesses specializing in everything from juices, “sloppy” sandwiches, and catering operations, to learning and enrichment courses and meal prep/virtual cooking classes. In addition to centering and elevating local, minority, and women-owned catering business owners, the fair attracted the support of dozens of CLL staff, many of whom learned to make their own butter, sampled finger foods and tasty treats, and purchased delicious meals. 

The Student Entrepreneurship Fair was just as popular and was designed to highlight student entrepreneurs across Atlanta Public Schools. Students showcased an array of businesses, including photography, jewelry and accessories, lemonade beverages, and customized T-shirt and hoodie designs.

Iliana Mundy, a fourth grader at Garden Hills Elementary School, was excited about the opportunity to sell her goods. Her business, Ili Posh, sells jewelry, lip gloss, keychains, hair clips, scrunchies, purses, bracelets, hats, and other accessories geared toward young girls and tweens. 

She’s been selling items since age five and wants to own her own business when she grows up.

“I have some really nice stuff, and people can’t be me,” Iliana said proudly of her business. 

This year marked Sean Moore’s second consecutive appearance at the student entrepreneurship fair. A second grader at Bolton Academy, Sean sells a variety of lemonades and said his business ventures are keeping him very busy.

“I have three different businesses: cleaning trash cans, selling lemonade, and I have a hot apple cider stand,” said Sean, who’s saving money to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2. “I wanted a way to make money, so I thought about a classic lemonade stand and my mom bought a popcorn machine from our neighbors across the street.”

“We’re really proud of Sean and all he’s doing and his entrepreneurial endeavors,” said Sean’s mom, Shenita Mickens. “We want to continue to water this little flower so we can watch him blossom.”

Brothers Rico, Malachi and Zion Myers attend Atlanta SMART Academy and Boyd Elementary School, respectively. They operate their business, Blissful Lemonade, alongside their parents, Kendall and Ykeitha.

Kendall Myers said the fair offered the perfect opportunity to showcase their burgeoning beverage enterprise. The Myers have been in business since June and have sold more than 1,300 bottles of lemonade at various school and festival events. 

“This is a great opportunity to build an empire,” Myers said of their business. “Rico has been given permission to sell at school, and Zion and Malachi help stir the lemonade and pour it into the bottles. We’ve made it a big family affair, and we’re looking to grow. Our goal is to go from the house to the warehouse in a year. I’m grateful to APS for the opportunity to build community, camaraderie, and awareness of small businesses.”