Flippin' the Switch
Flippin' the Switch
S6 E2: Empowering Community and Honoring Heritage with LaShea Cavers (Part 2)
Join us as we continue our conversation surrounding Black History and minority-owned businesses with LaShea Cavers! Unlock the stories behind Jacksonville's thriving minority businesses and learn how these vibrant enterprises are shaping the community’s cultural and economic landscape. First, LeShae dives into the growing trail of historical sites celebrating African-American achievements. This episode peels back the layers of Jacksonville’s diverse culture, highlighting how minority-owned businesses—from bustling food trucks to dynamic retail spaces—are not only fueling economic growth but also building bridges for cultural exchange and creating pathways to generational wealth and philanthropy. Plus, stick around as Natalie Oldani keeps you up-to-date on cooperative happenings for the month!
Run Time: 17 minutes.
Welcome back listeners for part two of our February episode of Flippin' the Switch. While February is Black History Month, we wanted to highlight happenings our members can engage with all year. Lachey Cavers continues the important conversation about minority businesses here in Jacksonville and how Black businesses have molded our community. Wrap up part two with us now and with that let's start flipping the switch.
Speaker 2:The trail takes you beachside to Ocean City oh yeah, In North Topsail Beach. And now this site was the first in a segregated area to allow African-Americans to purchase oceanfront property and gave us access to water recreation. Ocean City Beach was unique at its first residential beach community for African-Americans for home ownership in the state of North Carolina, like in the whole state.
Speaker 3:That's insane.
Speaker 2:And the first property was purchased by Mr and Mrs Wade Chestnut in 1949.
Speaker 3:Isn't that incredible.
Speaker 2:So you will also learn of other influential leaders in the community, such as Tyrone Willingham he was the first African-American head coach for Notre Dame. And then you got Lillian Parker Williamham, who was the first African-American woman to serve on the Onslow County School Board. I did not know that.
Speaker 2:Yes, so when you go out and visit these markets, you learn a lot of great things. And then you got the trail. The trail was unveiled in February 2011 with 13 sites, and now we've grown to more than 20 historical sites. That's incredible, and we're getting. You know, we're actually adding a new marker to the trail this year in April in Swansboro. You know, we got, we're actually adding a new marker to the trail this year in April in Swansboro, and as the influence of African-American history and culture is uncovered, more and more sites will be added, and we're just super excited about the trail. Yeah, so I love it.
Speaker 3:One of those things that's bringing history to life.
Speaker 2:And then you can also stop by the Chamber of Commerce and pick up a brochure If you're that person that likes to have it in your hand and check off your sites and I love a checklist, so yeah, who doesn't? So if you're that person where you got to have a brochure in your hand and look at things, you can always stop by our chamber of commerce and get your brochure from there too, and little sneak peek.
Speaker 3:You may see something about it on our social media pages. For Jones Onslaught, we might have taken a private tour with Lachey.
Speaker 2:I don't know, we don't know.
Speaker 3:Yeah, to be told later. So this is part of what makes Jacksonville unique in so many ways, because it's history to life. You know, and we talked about how you have an entrepreneurial spirit and then that has driven you to be kind of what you're doing. So can you tell us a little bit about your role at the chamber with minority businesses?
Speaker 2:Sure, so I'm a business consultant, so I own Synergy Innovative Solutions, which is my little consulting company, and I work with the chamber in helping bring diversity to the chamber along with. You know all the businesses I work with, but I do work with a lot of through the business council. I work with a lot of diverse businesses through there. It's just been a passion of mine to make sure that everyone is seen. We can learn from everyone. Everyone can learn from each other, regardless of where we are and who we are. One, Everyone can learn from each other, regardless of where we are and who we are.
Speaker 2:And when you're not allowing that from diverse businesses or from anyone, you're missing out because you the collaborations, the synergy and the collaborations of working together, it's just, it just creates a whole new opportunity for someone else. Um, and you just, and the surprise at the end, it's like, oh, let's do this and see for sure. And you just, and the surprise at the end is like, oh, let's do this and see what happens. And you just, next thing, you know, you got this movement of other entrepreneurs doing other things that are also helping other people and then it creates generational wealth and it creates foundations and it creates charity and philanthropy and all kinds of things that just out of this one you and someone else getting together and collabing and bringing synergy, which both of your businesses that can just change somebody else's life.
Speaker 3:How do you feel about these minority businesses growing the culture of Jacksonville Over the years? Have you seen that?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, I've seen. I've seen the growth in the culture. Let's start with economic growth and job creations. I mean, when you put these, when you have jobs that come here, they boost the economy and they also employ people. So you want to make sure that they're hiring people and they're doing that from restaurants. You see restaurants doing it. You see retail, service-based businesses doing it. So they provide jobs and they stimulate the local economy. So that's another way of growing the culture, then you got.
Speaker 2:I mean, if you come to Jacksonville you definitely going to find some food.
Speaker 3:If you notice, if you look, there's every local type of food that you could possibly want. You should have to look.
Speaker 2:Yes, you do have to look. Huge part of the culture is that you have your diverse businesses, minority business. They're transforming that Jacksonville's food landscape. And they're doing that through. You know their creative food trucks, their catering services. I mean you have everything from cheesecake to rolling Lumpia.
Speaker 3:I knew you were going to mention the Lumpia truck. I know you love them.
Speaker 2:They are great and you got you. Just, it's just so good because you need to be able to you get the local food. And then his cultures is is the entrepreneur creating, um, something great for your taste buds from their own particular specific culture.
Speaker 3:You know, we always like to say that you're making connections, yes, and so when you're going to a food truck, whatever, whichever one you choose- like per se. You're going to the Royal Olympia truck. Yeah, you're ordering the Olympia, but you're also ordering a little bit of their heart.
Speaker 2:Yes, you are, because they are putting their heart and soul into that.
Speaker 3:And it starts a conversation. You build a connection with a small business owner and you're like you know what? I got their back. I'm going to try to continue to support them and I know Lachey follows that truck wherever it goes. If Rolly Lumpia had a thing on her phone that would be like a tracker, you'd be there Because that one is good. I'm not going to lie Cracker. You'd be there because that one is good. I'm not going to lie.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they are pretty good and you know, remember, I told you earlier how entrepreneurs inspire me to do things, and this food entrepreneur scene has definitely did that for me and, coming from a background of food service, I'm filling a gap for them. This is the first time that I'm actually putting this out in public. So what I've done is I've worked with an awesome chamber of commerce and our awesome small business center who I've been working on. This started two years ago because you know you got to do all the work.
Speaker 2:And it's now in real time and I am opening the prep kitchen commercial shared kitchen space for food entrepreneurs to come, and that's needed because there's nothing like that here. Yes, and so pretty soon they're going to be able to follow my Facebook page. That will be the journey to launch. Right now, things are going on in there where we are upgrading. The electricians are in there and things are happening and I'm hoping to launch that business open in March.
Speaker 3:Congratulations, yes.
Speaker 2:And so it's the prep kitchen where food entrepreneurs will be able to come and grow their businesses.
Speaker 3:I think that place will stay busy.
Speaker 2:Yes, and I'm ready, and it's going to be so much more than renting out kitchen space. It's going to be me being able to help them grow their businesses Absolutely, and so I'm excited about what's in the future for them that I can help provide for them.
Speaker 3:So yeah, Well, congratulations Thank you.
Speaker 2:Thank you very much. And so, then, also, how they shape growth and culture is also fostering entrepreneurship, innovation. They inspire the next generation to be entrepreneurs as well.
Speaker 2:When other people see businesses thriving, owners that look like them and their businesses are thriving it encourages them to open up their own business and do their things too, because it's like if that person can do it, I can do it too, and so I'm excited about seeing that happen, where it's a ripple effect and it keeps going. And then you have the cultural representation just basically being present and saying, hey, I'm here, you know where it's from barbershops, beauty salons or unique boutiques or whatever is. I'm here and I'm here to stay and I want to be successful and we can help each other do that. So that is some of the ways.
Speaker 2:Oh, and then also, when you bring businesses to revitalizing neighborhoods and business districts, you know, like our downtown, oh yeah, when you start bringing businesses down there to undeveloped areas, then it starts to make Jacksonville look more attractive to visitors and people that come and visit here. Because people actually come, and I mean people come from all over the place. People don't know that, but Jacksonville and Oslo County is a tourist site. People come here and visit us. Okay, for so many reasons. And so if you can have a local small business thrive vibe, you know, have a have a local small business vibe or mood, yeah, and and people come here just to check out your local small business because it's just that good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what we want, that's what we want to create, and I know that the city of Jacksonville sees that in their vision as well, and they're working on.
Speaker 3:You guys are all aligned, it seems like, and they're working on on making that happen.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, the vision is there so, and so yeah, the vision is there, so, and it takes visionaries to make things like that happen.
Speaker 3:So one of my questions was how do you feel like black entrepreneurs have shaped our community? What exactly are we going to talk about? But I think that we've done it. We have achieved the pinnacle of letting people know that, yeah, we are a diverse community. Yes, we have lots of resources available for people to take advantage of. Utilize the Chamber of Commerce, because if you are a small business and an entrepreneur that wants to do something, there are resources available for you. But, last but certainly not least, our diversity is what makes us so unique.
Speaker 3:It makes us special. So, as we close it out, I'd love to ask you a couple quick questions. How do you think our community can find out more ways to be involved? Where can they go to find those resources? And Black History Month is February, but I think the history lives throughout all 12 months of the year, so when the month ends in February, they should still be going.
Speaker 2:Okay, great, okay. So I do want to talk about some of the resources that are available to the business community here, and this is not just African American businesses, but all of them. First of all, I really do need you to look into joining your chamber of commerce because, I mean, the chamber has helped me With my businesses, my growth, my professional development, my personal development, my connections. I would not be where I am today and I would not be I don't think I would be as successful as I am today without the Jacksonville On Zone Chamber of Commerce. It is a membership of outstanding people that come together that want to make sure that you are successful, and it takes a lot of work. I mean President Lorette Ligon. It takes a lot of work from her and the staff to be able to do that, along with the board and everyone else. And you cannot please everybody. It's impossible to please everybody but at the same time it is such a great organization to be a part of and it's very affordable.
Speaker 2:Your membership is an annual due and it's based on the number of employees you have or your business entity or what you may have. But if you are not a member of the chamber, I highly encourage you to take a look at that and go over there and see what that membership is about. There's tons of benefits. We do chamber orientation so you can see what is beneficial to you from the chamber. But that's one that I really highly encourage all business owners in Oslo County is to join your Chamber of Commerce, and here for Jacksonville is the Jacksonville Oslo Chamber of Commerce 1099 Gum Branch Road, jacksonville, north Carolina, yes 28540. So head on over there to the chamber. Another one is the Small Business Center. A lot of people don't know about the Small Business.
Speaker 3:Center. It's located at 444 Western Boulevard in Jacksonville at Coastal Carolina Community College.
Speaker 2:And I love it and I use the Small Business Center for a lot of my own business needs and also do a lot of collaboration work with them. But go over there. I mean the Small Business Center is an amazing place. Please go over there Once you join the chamber, go over there to the Small Business Center, meet the staff over there.
Speaker 2:The awesome April Priest is the director there and I'm telling you there's classes and the classes are free If you don't know if you don't know QuickBooks, I guarantee you they have a QuickBook class that they can teach you, or you can request it and they will, and she will put it on a schedule. If you don't know branding, there's a branding class there. If you don't know marketing, there's a marketing class. I like this free free and free.
Speaker 2:So you can go to the Jacksonville-Onslo Chamber of Commerce website that's jacksonvilleonlineorg. You can find information there. You can also go to onlyinonsloorg Yep and that's where you can find a lot of the information about the African-American Heritage Trail and the Black History events that are going on in Onslow County.
Speaker 3:Well, I think this has all been an incredible chat. In Alisle County. Well, I think this has all been an incredible chat. We always love having you here, thank you. And so again, thank you for being here with us today. Thank you for motivating and assisting and being that ray of light that we all need each and every day and for the small businesses out there that are looking for a way to get started, always reach out and for cultural diversity. We're living in it.
Speaker 3:Yes, you know, get outside of your door, go outside of that little bubble that we all live in each day. Go out and see the sites, because there are many to be seen in Jacksonville, and we're so happy that you're here. Well, thank you, lachey, you're welcome. And for those of you that want more information about anything that we discussed today on our podcast, go to our website. We'll have a special blog post that kind of gives you some links about the things that are happening in February and also ways that you could get started if you have a small business and the things that are happening throughout the year. Yes, so thanks, lachey for coming. You're welcome. Thanks for having me. Yes, so thanks, lachey, for coming.
Speaker 2:You're welcome. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:Hey there, listeners. Natalie here to let you know what's happening at your co-op this month. Your time, your choice. Simplifying monthly billing with JOEMC At Jones-Onslow. We know your time is valuable. That's why we offer a variety of simple ways to pay your monthly electric bill, giving you the power to manage your account on your terms and from anywhere. You can pay online through AutoDraft, through our mobile app, through the many kiosks around our community, pay where you shop mail, phone and by drive-thru. For more information on billing and payment options, visit the member services tab on our website at wwwjoemccom.
Speaker 1:Jones-onslow EMC is now accepting applications for scholarships to attend basketball camp at two North Carolina universities this summer. Young men can apply for a scholarship to attend the Carolina Basketball School, which will be held June 25th through 28th at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Young women can apply for a spot at the Wolfpack Women's Basketball Camp, which will be held June 15th through 18th at NC State University in Raleigh. To apply, students must be a 6th or 7th grade student during the 2025-2026 school year at a qualifying school. The application opens this month and it must be submitted by March 31st. To learn more and apply, visit ncelectriccooperativescom.
Speaker 1:Slash sports dash camps. Here's a quick tip to save energy this month. If you have a home office, look for opportunities to save energy in your workspace. Use Energy Star rated equipment which consumes up to 50% less energy than standard models. Set equipment like printers and scanners to automatically switch to sleep or energy saver mode when not in use. In addition to saving energy, the equipment will stay cooler, which will help extend its life. Another way to save energy in your home office is to use efficient lamps for task lighting. Replace any older bulbs with energy saving LEDs. And don't forget about the JOEMC 2025 virtual annual meeting Plan on joining us from the comfort of your home on Friday, march 28th at 10 am. While the meeting is virtual, the prizes are still real, and that's what's happening at your co-op this month Natalie signing off. Well, folks, that's all for today's episode of Flippin' the Switch. Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms to stay in the loop. With Jones Onslow. We'll see y'all next time.