The Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC), in a partnership with the Valdosta State University (VSU) College of Business and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section, executed a landmark Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 13. The curated experience, titled "Legacy & Launch: A Juneteenth Experience of Economic Freedom," successfully brought together over 50 regional business owners, civic leaders, and families to bridge the historic struggle for civil rights with cutting-edge economic infrastructure.

The day began in the galleries of VSU’s Copeland African American Museum, where participants gathered for a guided exploration of regional African American history. During the historical presentation, SGBC Board Member Marion Ricco Ramsey presented facts related to the Emancipation Proclamation, grounding the modern "business hustle" in ancestral resilience.

The tour featured powerful presentations by NCNW Sisters and a memorable message by NCNW Section President Attorney Karla Walker: "No matter how big we get, how much money we gain, if we don't understand that somewhere in that process... you take your dollar fifty-cent and make it work for you—it has to be that same entrepreneurial spirit [focused on] meeting the needs of our community."

From the museum, President and CEO H. DeWayne Johnson led attendees on a symbolic "Transition Walk" across campus to the J. Donald Lee Center for Entrepreneurship. The physical movement represented a community-wide shift from historical survival to technical scale and "Innovative Parity".

"This is what the journey is about—coming from where we just showed you, from the belly of the ship into greatness," stated DeWayne Johnson during the transition. "We are about business, community, and government here. We want to ensure our people are getting the right resources to be great, exposing the powerful partnerships we have with institutions like VSU."

At the J. Donald Lee Center, VSU Graduate Assistant Jeffrey B. Fleming guided attendees through a state-of-the-art tour of the university's $10,000 renovated podcast room, digital media labs, 3D printing zones, and photography bays.

"A lot of people think this center is just for students, but it’s not—it’s for everyone. Everybody in the community is welcome," Fleming emphasized during the showcase. "We want local business owners to come in and utilize this high-end technical equipment for free to build their plans, prototype their products, and professionalize their marketing."

The tour culminated in a "Soulful Power Lunch" catered by local SGBC member Chef Tammy Acree of Heavenly Spice Blend Seasoning LLC. Attendees dined on "Legacy Turkey & Greens" boxes containing turkey wraps with collard green slaw, Cajun pasta salad, and peach cobbler, alongside a refreshing self-serve beverage station featuring cucumber-mint-infused water sourced from Chef Acree’s local garden. In a demonstration of generational wealth and mentorship, Chef Acree brought along culinary students whom she is actively training to become future entrepreneurs.

Additionally, Ashley Council, owner of King of Pops Valdosta and an active SGBC member, provided all-natural artisan fruit pops.