to celebrate progress

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Jan. 30, 2001 10 PM

Troy’s downtown businesses will proudly present the 4th Annual Black History Celebration at 3 p.m., Feb. 4, at the New Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Linwood.

"This event consists of various black business owners who have designated the month of February to celebrate how far we have come from the past and now into the future," said Dorothy Townsend, owner and operator of Total World of Fashion. "This year’s celebration theme, ‘Bridging the Gap from the Past into the Future,’ recognizes these businesses owners as engineers who are building sturdy bridges to connect us, one to the other."

Joining the downtown business owners at the celebration will be representatives from the Troy State University Small Business

Development Center.

"We feel that there is no way we could have had this program without recognizing these individuals and the Troy State University Small Business Development Center," Townsend said. "These individuals were the best thing that could have ever happened to my business. I had step-by-step planning, advice, all the information needed and, most importantly, support. They were there for anything I needed. With their help, my dream became a reality. Therefore, I encourage anyone who wishes to start a business to take advantage of the expertise of the TSU Small Business Development Center."

Janet Kervin, director of the TSU Small Business Development Center, said working with Townsend and her colleagues has been a pleasure.

"We have enjoyed working with them," she said. "Every experience has been a good one.

All businesses are important to the economic development of our county and all entrepreneurs play an important role in this process. We look forward to a continuing relationship with the African-American community as they play an even bigger role in our business district as it continues to grow."

In addition to recognizing the TSU Small Business Development Center, which has played such a significant role in building the black small business community, there will be various singing groups, soloists, inspirational speakers and a great worship service.

Speakers for the occasion include the Rev. A.C. Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church and the Rev. G. Gilchrist of First Baptist Church.

"We encourage each and every individual to come out to help us celebrate this joyous occasion and help us create a vision for the future," Townsend said.