The Mississippi AI Business Accelerator has announced the graduation of its inaugural cohort, scheduled for April 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Gold Room of the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Facility on the main campus of Alcorn State University. This groundbreaking program is a collaborative effort between Alcorn State and Jackson State Universities, aimed at equipping entrepreneurs, reentry individuals, startups, and businesses looking to expand with the critical skills needed to navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and business development.
Launched with 19 participants, the accelerator has guided a diverse group of business owners and professionals through an intensive curriculum focused on AI integration, business compliance, financial planning, and technology-driven growth strategies. Thirteen dedicated participants have successfully completed the program, positioning themselves for greater success in today’s economy.
“We are taking small businesses and bringing them into the world of innovation,” said Dr. Brittany Myburgh, one of the program’s founders and a professor at Jackson State University. “By integrating AI-driven solutions, we are helping them streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and ultimately run better businesses.”
Program participants include:
Angela Y. Carson
Angela Y. Carson is the executive director for Pine Grove Association, Inc., a Canton, Miss.-based nonprofit established in 1992 by Rufus and Aggie Carson. The organization focuses on building community through family mobility, social justice and advocacy, and diversity and inclusion.
Pine Grove Association offers programs and services for youth and adults, including the Madison Area Global Innovation Collaborative (MAGIC), which promotes global learning for middle school students. Its mission is to empower individuals by incorporating values, developing talents and leadership skills, and promoting social well-being.
Carson’s goals for participating in a program include developing a scalable business model by integrating AI, optimizing operations with AI applications, and strategically preparing for funding through AI-driven data analysis. The organization’s website is www.pinegroveassoc.org.
Jan Palmer
Jan Palmer, founder of Hair Rich Project, a startup dedicated to empowering Black hairstylists, entrepreneurs, and consumers, embarked on a new path after an IBM downsizing. She used her severance retraining to earn a cosmetology license at Atlanta Technical College. Facing resistance from a Korean-owned beauty supply warehouse, she established her company to address barriers Black business owners face in the Black hair industry.
In 2010, Palmer traveled to China to learn about hair extension manufacturing and subsequently launched her own human hair extension line. Her mission is to foster collaboration within the Black community to design hair products and tools, protect Black hair innovation,s and reclaim ownership within the industry.
Through a program, Palmer seeks to use AI for her business, strengthen business development and marketing, grow her social media presence, refine pitching skills and gain access to capital. She currently resides in Clinton, Miss.
Jessica Starks
Jessica Starks, founder and owner of J.D. Scribes, is a content writing, management, and coaching company based in Pontotoc, Miss. Since 2013, Starks has helped small businesses, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations craft compelling messages through services like social media management, blog writing, content coachin,g and strategy development.
Starks aims to empower clients, particularly those overwhelmed or not tech-savvy, to achieve their marketing and communication goals by providing top-tier content solutions that are approachable, professional, and innovative.
As a participant in the AI Business Accelerator Program, Starks seeks to learn how to effectively leverage artificial intelligence to optimize her workflow, enhance creativity and provide greater value to her clients.
Beyond her business, Starks is involved in her community, serving on various committees and boards and supporting local entrepreneurs. Her ultimate vision is to use her expertise and resources to inspire, uplift, and empower others.
Joseph Cunningham
Joseph Cunningham, IT director at Holliday’s Helping Hands (HHH), oversees technology operations for Freshly’s Market and Urgent Care at The Pointe in Aberdeen, Miss. Since 2020, Cunningham has managed IT systems, ensuring security, innovation, and efficiency.
With over 15 years of experience, including roles at Thyssenkrupp AG, North American Coal, and Radiance Technologies, he supports corporate and military IT projects. HHH provides essential services to underserved communities, and Cunningham aims to enhance its technological capabilities to improve operations and service delivery.
Cunningham, who holds a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Mississippi State University, seeks to gain AI skills to enhance chatbots for FAQs, patient scheduling, and customer interaction. He also aims to analyze customer and patient preferences for targeted campaigns, assist in cybersecurity, and streamline logistics using predictive analytics.
Omar Lewis
Omar Lewis, founder of Litverse, is a Jackson, Miss.-based entrepreneur passionate about sustainable business through innovation and creativity. After immigrating from Trinidad and Tobago and growing up in New York, Lewis discovered an early love of art, graduating from the High School of Music and Performing Arts.
He attended The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and the School of Visual Arts. Lewis was an art instructor for institutions including the Harlem School of Art and the New York Department of Education. He worked as an illustrator for Marvel and Scholastic, was a published children’s book author and illustrator, and exhibited in New York’s P.S. 1 Museum and Berlin’s Kunstwerk Museum.
As an animator, Lewis became immersed in technology and returned to Trinidad and Tobago to become a full-time animation lecturer at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. There, he won two innovation grants to create the first stop-motion animated mobile game, Crab Catcher, and the first audio-only voice message-based social network, VIP (Vocal Impressions). Lewis repurposed VIP into Litverse, an audio-based literary social network connecting readers, authors, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and content creators. His vision is to use Litverse to promote literacy, sustainable revenue, and be the foundation of a suite of audio-based social networks to drive tech enterprise and prosperity for the Mississippi community.
Don Hewitt
Don Hewitt, owner of Advanced Technology Building Solutions (ATBS) in Jackson, Miss., has over 20 years of experience in real estate development and urban planning, focusing on sustainable, community-focused projects.
Founded in 2004, ATBS specializes in mixed-use developments prioritizing walkability, green spaces, and local business integration. The company partners with public housing, nonprofit, and government agencies to transform underutilized areas into vibrant communities with affordable housing, retail spaces, and community gardens.
ATBS incorporates innovative building technologies and environmental design principles in its projects. Currently, the company is working with the West Jackson Community Development Corporation and the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation to develop an urban streetscape in Jackson that will provide affordable workspace for local entrepreneurs and startups.
Through the AI Business Accelerator Cohort, Hewitt aims to use artificial intelligence to optimize project planning and resource allocation, develop AI-driven tools for market analysis and sustainability metrics, and enhance community engagement. His goal is to scale ATBS’s impact while maintaining its commitment to sustainable development practices.
Dr. Felicia King
Dr. Felicia King, a chiropractor and entrepreneur, is the president and founder of Highway2Health Chiropractic Center, Inc., in Jackson, Miss. A native of Indianola, Miss., she holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Alcorn State University and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University.
Highway2Health offers holistic healing services, including chiropractic adjustments, meditation, Qi Gong, acupressure and nutritional supplementation, designed to connect physical ailments to emotional stress.
Participating in the AI Business Accelerator Cohort powered by Microsoft, King aims to use AI to refine and grow her business, enhance client experiences, streamline operations and develop personalized care plans.
Through this initiative, King seeks to position Highway2Health as a leader in integrating AI and holistic healthcare, fostering a healthier and more inclusive community where holistic health solutions are accessible to all.
Earline Rawls
Earline Rawls, a Brookhaven, Miss., native, is the founder of Strategic Consultant Group, LLC, a firm based in Jackson, Miss., that helps new business owners structure, develop and strategize their operations.
Rawls, who graduated from high school in 1991, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Belhaven College. She is currently a PhD candidate at Jackson State University, specializing in Business Management with a minor in Economics.
With over 20 years of paralegal and business experience, Rawls specializes in grant writing, securing federal contracts, and providing tailored solutions for business growth. She also consults with CEOs, middle managers, and professionals to enhance leadership effectiveness, build cohesive teams, and drive organizational success.
Through the program, Rawls aims to expand her expertise in business management, leadership, and consulting to better serve her clients, acquire innovative strategies and refine her leadership skills. She also seeks to build a professional network and contribute to local and regional economic development.
Jennifer West
Jennifer West is the founder of N2C Consulting LLC, a Jackson, Miss.-based firm specializing in community advocacy and engagement. As an entrepreneur, West’s mission is to leverage technology to create innovative solutions for communities and improve their quality of life.
Since founding N2C Consulting LLC, the company has worked with neighborhood associations and communities seeking change. West aims to deliver value through cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking strategies.
Participating in the AI Business Accelerator Cohort powered by Microsoft, West’s goal is to integrate AI-driven solutions into N2C Consulting’s business processes to enhance product offerings and increase operational efficiency. She seeks to learn about incorporating AI in customer personalization, automation, and data analytics.
Through the program, West hopes to scale N2C Consulting LLC, improve customer experience, and build lasting relationships within the tech ecosystem.
Christeen Mofett
Christeen Moffett, a native of Clinton, Miss., is a passionate entrepreneur dedicated to empowering small businesses and fostering educational opportunities for youth.
With a business administration degree and multiple certifications, Moffett has more than a decade of experience as a business owner. She owns Moffett Services LLC, a firm specializing in legal support consulting, including legal investigations, court and attorney support services, corporate insurance, and securities.
Moffett is also vice president of operations and outreach for SSOAR (Supplying Students Opportunities and Resources), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to equipping students with essential tools and opportunities for success. Her mission is rooted in her faith and a desire to nurture and uplift her community.
An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Moffett serves on several boards and auxiliaries. She is a member of New Horizon Church International, where she is a children’s Sunday School teacher, deaconess, and member of the Women’s Leadership Council.
A devoted wife and mother of four, Moffett values family and personal growth. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, collecting vintage records, reading, and playing board games.
Through the AI Business Accelerator, Moffett aims to enhance her business model with innovative AI solutions, refine operational strategies, and position her ventures for scalable success.
LaShaundra McCarty
LaShaundra McCarty is the founder of MaverickAi, a Biloxi, Miss.-based consulting and training company that focuses on empowering marketers and communicators to create consistent customer experiences and save time.
Established in 2009, MaverickAi offers educational opportunities for professional communicators to increase their confidence and proficiency through community-centered learning.
A Gulfport, Miss., native, McCarty holds a BA in Television Production from the University of Central Florida, an MA in Digital Media Production from Emerson College, and a Master of Divinity from Columbia International Seminary. Her background led her to corporate training and professional speaking on digital transformation and digital mindset.
McCarty holds a certification in Digital Transformation from Stanford School of Business and has completed preliminary training to become a Certified Global Business Professional. She serves as the co-president of the American Advertising Federation MS Gulf Coast and is the outgoing president of the National Speakers Association New Orleans Chapter.
Her goals for the AI Business Accelerator include streamlining her customer funnel with a tech stack, building a website framework, completing a rebrand, expanding revenue stream,s and developing a customer service chatbot.
McCarty holds a certification in Digital Transformation from Stanford School of Business and has completed preliminary training to become a Certified Global Business Professional. She serves as the co-president of the American Advertising Federation MS Gulf Coast and is the outgoing president of the National Speakers Association New Orleans Chapter.
Her goals for the AI Business Accelerator include streamlining her customer funnel with a tech stack, building a website framework, completing a rebrand, expanding revenue streams, and developing a customer service chatbot.
Victor Medina
Victor Medina, an environmental engineer, entrepreneur, inventor, and business owner, is based in Brandon, Miss.
Born in Los Angeles, Calif., Medina has lived in Mississippi for the past 22 years. He previously held a high-level technical director position with TRC Corporation for two years and spent 19 years as a Senior Research Engineer at the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center. Medina holds five patents and has delivered over 100 technical presentations.
Medina Environmental Consulting & Solutions focuses on consulting and problem-solving environmental challenges, including developing novel cost-effective products. Medina Doyle Technologies (MDT) builds and provides water treatment and environmental technologies. MDT’s primary product is the PETS (PFAS Effluent Treatment System), which Medina developed at the ERDC, and for which MDT has secured a license. Both businesses are registered as Disadvantaged Small Business Enterprises with the federal government.
Medina’s goals for the program include exploring AI to develop new products for his businesses, particularly for managing water treatment and pipe networks, and learning how AI can improve his business management.
The program collaborates with The AI Agency, the Jackson State Innovation Center, and the Amazing AI Collaborative to ensure participants receive top-tier training and mentorship. Dr. Myburgh and her team have played a pivotal role in leading AI initiatives, offering expertise and support to help businesses leverage AI for growth and sustainability.
Participants from various industries, including technology, retail, and services, are eager to enhance their operational efficiency and market reach. Through this initiative, Mississippi entrepreneurs are now better equipped to embrace cutting-edge technology and drive economic development in the region.
For more information about the Mississippi AI Business Accelerator or to inquire about future cohorts, please contact Dr. Brittany Myburgh at [email protected] or 601-541-0690.
