By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Excitement filled the air as Florida Memorial University (FMU) celebrated the grand opening of its Center for Entrepreneurship, a milestone that promises to transform economic opportunity in Broward County. The event, attended by community leaders, business owners, and local dignitaries, underscored FMU’s commitment to fostering innovation, mentorship, and entrepreneurial success.
With the FMU Combo Jazz Band setting the mood, attendees gathered for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a moment that symbolized new beginnings for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly youth and underserved communities. Aynna Miller, Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of The Body Mechanic’s Neuro-Wellness Popup Shop, called the event a defining moment for South Florida’s only historically Black university.
“The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Florida Memorial (FMU) was a delightful spectacle with Interim President, William C. McCormick, Jr., MBA, at the helm,” Miller said. “The launching of this Center represents the birth of an innovative trend toward entrepreneurial access & preparedness for young, business-minded professionals. To put it lightly, this is a great & most worthwhile venture that will have rippling benefits to FMU students & the local community!”
The FMU Center for Entrepreneurship will serve as a hub for training programs, mentorship, and business development resources, designed to help students and community members turn their business ideas into reality.
“Our goal is to cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our students and the surrounding community,” said FMU Interim President William McCormick. “We want to change the mindset about the power of entrepreneurship as we believe that by providing access to the right tools and support, we can empower the next generation of business leaders who will drive the local economy forward.”
Local business leaders emphasized the importance of this initiative. Patrick Cohen, CEO of Caprock Solutions, Inc., spoke about the center’s potential to empower small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“It was a privilege to join the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Florida Memorial University Entrepreneurship Center in the historic Sistrunk neighborhood,” Cohen said. “Seeing this vision come to life is truly inspiring—now, small businesses and entrepreneurs have a dedicated space to create, develop, and scale their business ventures.”
Beyond providing resources, the center represents a broader effort to build generational wealth and create long-term economic impact. Bobby R. Henry, Sr., publisher of Broward County’s oldest African American-owned newspaper, the Westside Gazette, and an alumnus of FMU, reflected on FMU’s role in shaping future business leaders.
“As the publisher of Broward County‘s oldest African American-owned newspaper, the Westside Gazette, it is an honor to write the narrative of our success,” Henry said. “Building success takes a strong foundation and interim president. Mr. William McCormick has certainly begun the structure of building a strong foundation for producing needed business owners to give back to our community by investing financially and using the natural resources—it’s people.”
As the evening ended, conversations buzzed with ideas for the future. The launch of the FMU Center for Entrepreneurship was not just a celebration, it was a statement of commitment to fostering innovation, economic growth, and community-driven success. With FMU leading the charge, the future of entrepreneurship in South Florida has never looked brighter.
