ATLANTA – Today the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience (ODR&R) at the Small Business Administration (SBA) extends its congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Phoenix Awards for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery, Jacqueline Tate Smith. Ms. Smith’s achievements and dedication set an example for excellence within the community. We celebrate her well-deserved success.
“This year’s honoree represents the power of determination and adaptability. Her journey exemplifies resilience, inspiring us all,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “As SBA transforms its disaster assistance program by opening new paths for governors to secure recovery resources and working with local leaders to lead from the ground up, heroes like Ms. Smith represent the strong partnerships we are building to make communities more resilient.”
Since 1998, the SBA has presented Phoenix Awards to business owners, public officials and volunteers who displayed selflessness, ingenuity, and tenacity in the aftermath of a disaster while contributing to the rebuilding of their communities.
In the past year, the agency’s tireless disaster assistance team responded by delivering nearly $2 billion to help small businesses, renters, and homeowners rebuild and recover.
Phoenix Award for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery
Jacqueline Tate Smith is a long-time successful entrepreneur and community leader in her hometown of Selma, Alabama. She owns and operates The Coffee Shoppe, a local eatery and specialty coffee shop that opened in November 2011.
On January 12, 2023, devastating and destructive tornadoes ripped through Selma. Jacqueline was first introduced to the SBA back in 2020, receiving an economic disaster relief loan due to the pandemic. She turned to the “blue shirts,” from SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, again to assist her in disaster relief recovery, receiving another economic injury disaster loan to continue The Coffee Shoppe’s brand of excellence in customer service and community engagement.
As a leader in her community and the local Chamber of Commerce, she understands the historical significance of Selma as the “birthplace of the Civil Rights movement,” and the many opportunities for small businesses to welcome visitors to learn a part of American history.
National Small Business Week (NSBW) will be held April 28 - May 4, 2024. This year marks the return of in-person awards ceremonies in Washington, D.C., for the first time since 2019. The SBA will also cosponsor a virtual summit of business education forums. For additional information about National Small Business Week, please visit www.sba.gov/NSBW.
Co-sponsorship Authorization # 23-1-C The SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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About National Small Business Week
For 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness. And in recognizing the changing face of America, the SBA’s National Small Business Week awards honor individuals and businesses that reflect our nation’s rich diversity.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.