Community Relationships
Strategic Partners
Dedicated Volunteers
Helping Small Businesses Succeed
Welcome
Our Mission
The Mission of the Cleveland County Minority Business Development Center (CCBDC) is to foster community capacity building and entrepreneurship though education, training, mentoring, and networking, while helping individuals and organizations achieve sustainable success.
Community
The CCBDC is also committed to supporting community revitalization and capacity building and will continue to partner and collaborate with other stakeholders to promote economic success in small business ownership, skill training and educational services and outreach.
Economic Development
The CCBDC also serve as a catalyst for economic development through inclusion and empowerment to build a culturally responsive network of client services and programs to ensure economic viability.
Community
None of us can build a community alone. CCBDC relies on the power of community relationships, partnerships and dedicated volunteers.
Programs and Services
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General counseling
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Advocate for expanded business opportunities
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Sponsor special seminars and training
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Regional Leadership
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Leadership Academy
Relationships
Building sustainable and strategic partnerships remain critical to CCBDC long-term growth and effectiveness.
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B.E.S.T. Program/Close The Gap
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Support community reinvestment Act C. R. A. goals and initiatives
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Publication of the Black Business Directory
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Sponsor of Minority Business Development Week (MED Week)
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Community Partner of the Year
Camp Coach Rhodes
Mr. Keith Rhodes
Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year
McDaniel-Scott Allstate Agency
Mr. Damon Scott
Etta B. Leach Humanitarian of the Year
Sowing Seeds Outreach
Carolyn Linder
Mr. & Mrs. Paul and Ramona Gash
CELA Leadership Salutes 2025 Graduates
While embracing the premise that leadership and learning are indispensable to each other, the Cleveland Emerging Leaders Academy (CELA) held its fifth graduation ceremony for a new cohort of emerging leaders on November 17, 2025. The event was held at the Faith Harvest Church in Shelby, NC.
In keeping with its mission to develop a cadre of informed public servants from the minority and underserved communities, CELA welcomed six (6) new graduates, who successfully completed a community leadership program designed to equip participants for leadership service and growth. Class V participants included Ashley Williams, Morrio Clark, Laura Borders, Shena Hopper, Moneka Simmons, and Pamela Woods.
